Posted: October 3, 2004

Triathlon: Shortis And Keat - Convincing Winners Of The Cannibal Half Ironman

Round Five, Ironman Australia Qualifying Series - Cannibal Half Ironman
Coomera Waters, Gold Coast, Queensland - Sunday October 3, 2004

The Gold Coast’s Jason Shortis and Rebekah Keat once again proved they are two of the most consistent and best performed endurance athletes in Australia by taking out resounding victories at today’s 2004 Cannibal Half Ironman. Finding a new base at the beautiful Coomera Waters resort, north of the Gold Coast, the Cannibal Half Ironman was greeted with idyllic conditions as over 600 starters attempted to gain one of the 100 qualifying slots for the 2005 Snap Ironman Australia triathlon on April 3.

Although dominating the event for the second year in a row, an early challenge was set for Shortis as he exited the water over two minutes behind fellow Gold Coast based athlete Luke McKenzie. McKenzie was joined on the bike by Cameron Watt, Matt Hopper and Matthew Clarke as the four worked to keep Shortis at bay. However, Shortis, the Ironman Lake Placid champion, was not to be denied and burst into the lead shortly after the halfway point of 90km ride.

“I felt strong and when I got to the group I just maintained my pace and rode straight passed them. There didn’t seem to be a challenge forthcoming so I just put my head down and got out of there,” said Shortis

The run was a mere formality for the Gold Coast local. His lead was continuing to grow over McKenzie, who left the bike-to-run transition in second place. However, McKenzie finally withdrew from the race with calf soreness, leaving Shortis, who had both the fastest bike and run splits for the day, to take victory from Watt while Hopper took the final podium position.

“The run course was very hot early but a nice breeze came up after the first lap providing some relief,” said Shortis after crossing the line with his daughters Jordan and Lily. “The new course was challenging and the location of the new transition area has certainly made the race more spectator friendly.”

In a mirror image of the men’s race Rebekah Keat, also from the Gold Coast, dominated the event, although the 24-year old was challenged for a period of time on the bike leg by Amelia Cox of Tasmania. After exiting the water with a comfortable lead, Keat looked set to ride and run her way to an easy victory and after the first 30km of the ride, Keat’s lead had increased to over one minute. However, Cox would soon join Keat with just 20km to be completed before the run.

“The ride is my strength and I was surprised to see her there. I was on my own during the first half of the ride and then as a group of male riders caught me I noticed Cox was there also. I knew I had to keep it together and just race my own race and wait for the run,” said Keat

Out on the run Keat showed why she has won all 10 of her last outings by dominating the Cannibal Half Ironman run.

“I have been training hard for the Ironman in Western Australia so I am feeling a bit flat at the moment but once out onto the run I began to feel good. It was so hot out there towards the end it was nice to get to the finish and have a drink with my friends,” she said from the Coomera pub after the race

Following Keat at the finish line in Coomera Waters was Carolyn Cooksley who had the fastest run time of the day, while Cox held onto third place after what was an exiting day for the young Tasmanian.

MEN SWIM BIKE RUN TOTAL
Jason Shortis 25:32 2:15:35 1:14:38 3:55:45
Cameron Watt 23:20 2:19:58 1:15:54 3:59:12
Matt Hopper 23:19 2:20:23 1:17:57 4:01:39

WOMEN SWIM BIKE RUN TOTAL
Rebekah Keat 26:25 2:33:03 1:26:08 4:25:36
Carolyn Cooksley 30:44 2:32:43 1:24:07 4:27:34
Amelia Cox 26:50 2:33:22 1:30:44 4:30:56