THE FIRST COUPLE OF CROSS TRIATHLON DOMINATE THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS

23 Feb 2019

THE FIRST COUPLE OF CROSS TRIATHLON DOMINATE THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS

Wife and Husband duo, Jacqui and Ben Allen, have stolen both hearts and the show, during an emotional Round Five of the TreX Series, in the Snowy Mountains.

Jacqui Allen captured her first win of the 2018/19 Series, but only after seeing-off an almighty challenge from Penny Slater.

The Allen-Slater arm wrestle see-sawed throughout the morning and became the marquee match-up of the event.

But early on, it was newcomer Maeve Kennedy who was first out of the swim leg, 19 seconds ahead of Allen, with Slater in third place, 49 seconds further back.

Kennedy- who saluted earlier this season at her debut race at Port Stephens- lost momentum on the bike leg, and Allen and Slater pounced.

Allen led the race, and Slater, by just three breathtaking seconds, as the pair headed to the final run leg.

It was truly a battle of the Master and the Apprentice- Allen is Slater’s full-time coach.

The lead changed hands again and again, and it looked as though Slater, the Under-23 World Champion, would win her second race of the season, but Allen found some heartfelt motivation.

“I was behind Penny, and then I heard Ben had won. That did it for me. It made me go faster, it lifted me. I just had to win.”

An emotional Allen said post-race, as she beamed with pride at her husband’s achievements.

Allen finished 32 seconds ahead of Slater, in a time of 2:43:22.

Slater said after the race: “When I heard Ben had won, I knew I was in trouble, I knew that would spur Jacqui on.”

There is some great consolation for Slater though, with this event at Lake Crackenback also acting as the Australian Championships, Slater will retain the Title she won last year.

Even though Allen took line honours, she is ineligible for the Australian Title, due to her prior competing for her native Great Britain.

Kate Bramley fought magnificently to finish in third position, in a time of 2:48:24.

While Kennedy came home fourth in a time of 3:00:04.

Meanwhile, in the Men’s competition, Ben Allen reigned supreme, successfully defending his Australian Title, with a 7 minute 59 second win over young gun Dean Cane.

Allen took a nearly minute lead out of the swim leg, and then never surrendered, to take out his third win of the TreX 2018/19 season, in a time of 2:19:56.

After crossing the finish line, an emotional Allen dedicated the win to his parents, Dennis and Janelle Allen.

“I was thinking about them the whole time throughout the race. Everything they’ve done for me. This win is for them.”

After hearing the dedication, Mum Janelle was also full of emotion, saying how much pride she has watching her son race.

Allen’s main rival, New Zealand star Sam Osborne was second out of the swim leg, but early in to the bike phase was forced to withdraw from the race.

“I couldn’t believe it, I was lying upside down, it took me a while to comprehend what had happened, because I thought I’d done everything right. I got back up and on my bike. But the frame was broken. And that was that. A bit of a shame to have come all this way, and then I’m out of the race,” Osborne said post-race.

The New Zealand champ, who took line-honours at this event last year, was still aiming to compete in tomorrow’s Trail Run Australia half-marathon.

The further emergence of 19 year-old Queenslander Dean Cane was a huge highlight of the race, and had many on-lookers excited about his future prospects in the sport.

Cane’s bike leg was exhilarating, completing that discipline only three seconds slower than Ben Allen did, in a time of 01:17:19.

Cain maintained consistency throughout his run leg, to take second spot on the podium, with a total race time of 2:27:55.

Fan favourite Rowan Beggs-French took home Bronze, with a 2:31:53 race.

The Snowies MultiSport Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

About TreX

For twelve years TreX has positioned itself as the pinnacle of the cross – or off-road – triathlon racing series in Asia-Pacific inclusing the hosting of the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in 2016. Presented by the premier outdoor adventure event specialists In2Adventure, TreX consists of a swim, mountain bike and trail run as well as teams, duathlon and aquabike formats. While each TreX event features an Elite/Open category the TreX Cross Triathlon national series invites participation from all ages and skill levels.

About Trail Run Australia

Trail Run Australia takes runners to some of the most iconic and stunning destinations in this spectacular land down under.  It challenges participants to get off road and take on a challenge against mother nature in some of the most demanding and diverse terrain that the country has to offer.

From stunning beaches, to historic goldfields, remote rocky outcrops and rich rainforests, all the way to the iconic Snowy Mountains. Trail Run Australia inspires runners to tread the path less travelled in this wild and beautiful land.

All festivals include a:

• Half Marathon;
• 10-12km;
• 5-6km; and
• Free Kids Mud Rats Events

The series finale also includes a 50km Ultra in Australia’s iconic Snowy Mountains.

2018|19 events include:

For more information visit TreX here

About In2Adventure

In2Adventure are Asia-Pacific’s premier adventure event specialists, and the proud host of the 2016 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships. With a full calendar of national events scheduled throughout Australia, including adventure races, cross triathlon, XC Mountain Bike, trail runs and corporate events, In2Adventure fully embraces all things ‘off road’ and ‘off the beaten track’ and offers a unique, individual experience for all ages and skill levels. For more information visit In2Adventure here

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Photo Credit: Courtesy In2Adventure