Sarah McClure began her multisport career as a youngster at the Ellesmere Excavation Lake Crichton Series back in 2014, and she will line-up for the 10th time when the series starts on Friday the 19th of January.

Pictured:  Sarah McClure (left) at the 2023 Africa Triathlon Cup, Monastir, competed globally in 2023 and is looking forward to competing at her 10th Lake Crichton Series event on 19 January.

“I still remember my nerves before my first Lake Crichton race, but they soon disappeared because the event is so welcoming and has a real community vibe”

Since her first taste of Lake Crichton in 2014, McClure has gone on to be one of the rising stars of the New Zealand triathlon scene.

“Growing up in Selwyn, there are so many options to get outside and be active, so as soon as I got on a bike and joined the local road cycling club, I just fell in love with the enjoyment of being active.  The natural extension for me was running and swimming and my love of triathlon grew from there.” 

McClure has had a busy 2023, competing in a number of events in both New Zealand and around the world.  She had a top 10 finish at the 2023 Oceania Triathlon Cup and Championships Port Douglas in May, followed by 9th place in 2023 Africa Triathlon Cup Monastir, and her form continued to finish in first place at 2023 World Triathlon Age-Group Aquabike Championships Pontevedra, in a time of 1:31:22.

“I feel in really great shape at the moment, and I’ve had some really awesome results this year, so I’m really excited about being on my home course at Lake Crichton for the summer series” she added.

The Ellesmere Excavation Lake Crichton Series is run over three evenings in January, February and March. The focus of the event is about bringing a quality triathlon and duathlon series to Selwyn. The Friday evening series allows for all competitors, young and older, experienced or first timers, to finish their working week with exercise. You can enter individually or in a team.

The three-race series utilises the world-class, man-made Lake Crichton. Located on Frasers Road, two kilometers south of Dunsandel. Lake Crichton is a lake no deeper than 1.7m, naturally heated to mid-20 degrees and only about 50 meters wide. 

There are two race distances in both the triathlon and duathlon (short-course and long-course). The triathlon begins with a lake swim (in water start), followed by a road bike and finished off with an off-road run. The duathlon follows the same bike and run course as the triathlon but has a short run before you get on your bike.

For more information about entering the series:  https://www.selwynsportstrust.org.nz/ 

Ends.

For further information:

Selwyn Sports Trust

Article added: Wednesday 10 January 2024