Yesterday, 24 of our students took part in the Otago Triathlon Champs after qualifying earlier in the year at the Dunedin event.

This year we had eight teams competing and achieved outstanding results from Year 5-8, with a mixture of mixed, and all girls' teams.

It was a fresh morning start for our year 5/6 teams, however, it didn't seem to concern them as they were eager with excitement and nerves to get the morning under way. 

The course began with a 2km run for year 5/6 and 3km run for year 7/8. This course proved extremely taxing, trudging through long thick grass, up a hill, along a boggy flood-bank and back through the soft greenery. The runners then found their bikers, completing the transition with a high five. The bikers raced to the start of their track. This was a very windy loop along the road with many sharp turns and clogged corners. Year 5/6 had to complete 6 laps (4km) whereas Year 7/8 completed 8 laps (6km) before returning to the chaotic bike space where they racked their bikes and tagged the swimmers for the final part of the course. Our water guns dove in the pool and completed their laps with any stroke they wished. Year 5/6 swam 4 lengths (100m) and year 7/8 the full 6 laps (150m), slipping under the rope at each end and zig-zagging the full distance.

The Year 5 mixed team involving William Henderson, Fletcher Ho and Sophie Wellington came in at 5th place with Lara Lowe, Thomas Graham and Emily North were tight on their heels, placing a solid 8th place. The Columba Celtics were competing in the girls' team grade and all competed hard coming in at 6th place.

We then gained stunning results with our Year 6 girls team consisting of Isabella Van Aart, Ruby Mcllroy and Ailie Somerville who placed 2nd in the girls' team heat. In the Year 6 mixed team grade, our Columba Silver team consisting of Mia North, Devon Skevington and Bobby Song competed strongly and come in at 5th place.

Next up was our Year 7 girls who seemed to strike luck with the sun starting to shine which was a contrast to the dull, dreary conditions which presented earlier in the morning. 

We had two teams in this race whom all competed hard for their team. Columba Yellow which included Rhianjali Giles, Ruby Nicholson and Harlow La Hood placed second while Arielle Dar, Hedy Sun and Zoe Mackenzie came in 6th place.

Last to go was the Year 8 girls. Ellie Cameron kicked them off with the run, Matilda Sutton then rode strongly, Delilah Brown was exciting in the water and came home strong with a 3rd placing.

In the end, a very successful day for all students whom showed held a high level of team work and positive attitude throughout. Valuable experience was also gained for next year’s instalment.

A massive thank you to all the parents and grandparents who transported, supported and accommodated the students to enable them to compete in the event. Also a big congratulations to all those whom represented Columba - you did yourselves, the school and your families proud! 

For full results follow the attached link:

https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=237632#wsbtnsec