Speed met stamina in a storm-soaked showdown at the 2025 Australian Super Sprint Championships, held at the historic Nepean Triathlon.
The fast-paced format -comprising a 250m swim, 10km bike, and 2.5km run – brought out the best in competitors at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
Cronulla Triathlon Club’s Erin Hargrave emerged as the fastest finishing female, securing the Australian title in the 40-44 age category.
Proud of her performance, but even prouder of the message it sent, Hargrave celebrated with a light-hearted nod to her longevity in the sport.
“It’s amazing – It’s nice to see that females over 40 can still win overall.” Hargrave said.
“Like a fine wine, I’m getting better with age – I told my mum and dad.”
Despite heavy rain, the atmosphere at the event remained electric, with athletes and supporters braving the elements.
With a background in track running, Hargrave found the super sprint format particularly suited to her strengths.
“It was a fun event, there were heaps of people out there even with the pouring rain.” Hargrave said.
“One of my daughters got up at 5:45am to support me, she stood there in the pelting rain to support me. The atmosphere was amazing, even with the weather.
“I’ve come from a track background, I’m not the best swimmer around so the short swim suits me fine. I love the fast 10km bike, but I absolutely love to hammer it in the 2.5km run.”
Looking ahead, Hargrave is setting her sights on this weekend’s Gold Coast Triathlon, where she’ll compete in the Australian Sprint Championships – an automatic qualification race for the 2025 World Triathlon Age Group Championships in Wollongong.
The opportunity to represent her country in her home town is something she’s eager to seize.
“My aim this year is to get to Worlds fit an uninjured. When you get older there seems to be a lot of niggles,” Hargrave said.
“Being in my hometown I was to achieve the best I can in front of family, friends – even my work colleagues will come and support me. It’s going to be a really good event down there.”
2025 Australian Super Sprint Champions –
|
Category |
Male |
Female |
|
13-15 |
Zacary Green |
Tara Holmes |
|
16-19 |
Austin Crump |
Lauren Hitchman |
|
20-24 |
Oliver Robinson |
Georgia Caldwell |
|
25-29 |
Dale Prindable |
– |
|
30-34 |
– |
Georgie Hicks |
|
35-39 |
Daniel Inglese |
Sarah Stewart |
|
40-44 |
Travis Shields |
Erin Hargrave |
|
45-49 |
Jarrod Crump |
Kerry Morris |
|
50-54 |
Jordan Gover |
Kate Thornton |
|
55-59 |
– |
– |
|
60-64 |
Michael Pratt |
Margi Grant |
|
65-69 |
David McEwan |
Donna Hickey |
|
70-74 |
– |
Mandy Meredith |
