Eurobodalla triathlete Daniel Beby has done his shire proud after competing in the race of his life – the 2018 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
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The 40th annual event took place on Saturday, October 13, with eager competitors from all over the world descending on the island for the prestigious sporting spectacle.
Beby battled the difficulties of a 3.8km ocean swim, 180km bike leg, 42.4km marathon run, and the elements, to place 693rd out of 2307 competitors.
The tough athlete finished the gruelling event in just under 10 hours, completing the swim leg in 1 hour and 5 minutes, the bike leg in just over five hours, and the marathon run in 3 hours and 42 minutes.
Beby made a competitive mark in his age group of Men 40-44 years, placing 114th out of 266 competitors.
Beby qualified for the race with an outstanding effort at the Ironman Australia Triathlon at Port Macquarie in May.
At the event, Beby completed the same distance course in a time of 9 hours and 51 minutes. This outstanding effort placed him 9th in his age group, and 49th overall.
At the weekend’s event, Beby was one of more than 2300 competitors who qualified for the race. A spokesperson from Beby’s Eurocoast Triathlon Club spoke of just how fiercely competitive the event was – “There are many times that number who would have loved to have qualified for the event”.
Out on training rides at 4am for months on end hasn’t been easy, he has worked hard and we all hope that his efforts are reflected in his results.
- Rod Bradley
Speaking before the event, Eurocoast Triathlon Club president Rod Bradley said: “Along with everyone in the area, we wish Daniel all the best. It is an incredible achievement to qualify for this iconic race, and we just hope he has a race that he has trained for. Out on training rides at 4am for months on end hasn’t been easy, he has worked hard and we all hope that his efforts are reflected in his results”.
An Ironman spokesperson described the event as being a “perfect day”, with some of the lightest winds and mildest temperatures being recorded in the 40-year history of the event.
Defending champions Patrick Lange and Daniela Ryf shattered their own course records, in what will go down as the fastest race in race history. Lange, of Germany, is the first person to finish the event in under eight hours.