Triathlon: Family's adding festive flair to series

Kairon Pimm with father Murray, his partner, Rachelle Hainsworth, and India Pimm. Photo / Vanessa Campbell

Kairon Pimm didn't let his Santa hat blowing in the breeze slow him down at the Shed 2 Triathlon and Duathlon series yesterday.

The Taradale Intermediate pupil clocked 44m 48s to be the fastest male home on the Swim Gym short course (200m swim, 14km cycle, 2km run).

Pimm "loves the challenge of doing three sports, plus I'm okay at it".

Earlier in the year he watched his father, Murray Pimm, complete Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand. The 12-year-old can't wait to emulate him once he's old enough. His goal is to one day qualify for Ironman World Championship at Kona.

"I always have to chase the bigger kids and I'm not a strong swimmer so I always end up having to fight my way back into the race," Pimm said of yesterday's race.

The Pimm family were in the festive spirit, with Kairon racing in a Santa hat, Murray transformed into Santa on a bike with reindeer ears while partner Rachelle Hainsworth was Mrs Claus.

Sophie Hogan, of Taradale High School, was the fastest woman on the short course in 39m 12s.

Both Karen Toulmin (open) and Linda Exeter-Grant (vet 2) backed up last weekend's age-group wins at Taupo's Ironman 70.3 with strong performances. Toulmin was first in 1h 4m 42s on the AvantiPlus Triathlon course (750m swim 21km cycle 4.5km run) with Exeter-Grant second (1h 6m 12s).

Jamie Campbell (vet 1) was first on the Avanti course in 59m 33s, Jeremy Natusch was second in 1h 3m 21s.

The Broker Webb Risk Services Duathlon (4.5km run 21km cycle 2km run) winner was Richard Farquhar (vet 1) in 1h 6m 5s.