Posted: January 13, 2004

Triathlon: Round Nine - Road to Ironman Australia Qualifying Series

Tasmanian Half Ironman - Ulverstone, Tasmania (Sunday January 18, 2004)

The beautiful seaside township of Ulverstone, Tasmania will welcome 150 hopeful athletes from around Tasmania and Australia to compete for the final 25 qualifying spots for the Snap Ironman Australia to be held on April 4, 2004.

One of the competing athletes will be 1990 Commonwealth Games marathon Silver medallist, Tani Ruckle, who made the shift from full-time marathon running to triathlon and competed at the 2001 Ironman Australian Triathlon finishing in a time of 10hrs 18mins 37sec. With over 10 years of national and international representation, 50 road race victories, numerous records and a 2:31:06 marathon under her belt Ruckle is expected to run well during the 21.1km half marathon that follows the scenic 90.1km cycle and the 1.9km swim.

The swim will take place over a two-lap course in the Leven River before athletes head out for the two-lap bike course along the coastline. The 90km bike course heads into the city of Devonport and over the notorious "Don Heads" twice before returning. The run is a three-lap flat course that winds its way through spectacular parklands, along rivers and coastal beaches.

The strong elite field of endurance specialist consists of male competitors Jason Shortis, Paul Patrick, Sean Foster, Darren Franken and local hero Joe Gambles. Late entrant, Kane Malherbe, a VIS scholarship holder from Victoria will also be keen to make his presence known. Edith Kosztouits and Jodi Barker are expected to headline the elite women's field.

The 10-race national series will be completed in Tasmania with the best and most consistant athletes in each age-group recognised at the carbo party on Thursday April 2, 2004 at the Snap Ironman Australia triathlon in Forster, NSW. Over 5000 athletes have raced in this season's series, reinterating that long-course racing will be the feature of the triathlon season for years to come. With the introduction of a second Ironman event in Western Australia on November 28, 2004 the series and Ironman racing is set to go from strength to stength.

Elite Men's Field:
Sean Foster
Darren Franken
Jason Shortis
Kane Malherbe
Niall McDonagh
Tully Lyster
Paul Patrick
Joe Gambles

Elite Women's Field:
Edith Kosztouits
Jodie Barker

For more information on the Tasmanian Half Ironman contact Kerry Stubbs on 03 6423 4548.

Ironman Australian Triathlon - April 4, 2004

Ironman WA Triathlon - November 28, 2004