AGE GROUP TRIATHLETES RETURN FROM BEIJING WITH A POT OF GOLD
The Age Group team of almost 200 gave the "green and gold" suits a constant presence around the spectacular 2008 Changping Olympic course.
The sun set for the final time on the challenging bike and run course on Sunday in a region acclaimed as the "pillow of the capital" and for many of the age group athletes that pillow never felt so good after they had challenged themselves, their stopwatches and their personal bests.
Former elite triathlete, who is celebrating 31 years in the sport, Engadine swim and triathlon coach Michael Maroney is a true representative of the Australian group that swamped Beijing with their enthusiasm and their willingness to challenge triathletes from all round the world.
"Triathlon is the kind of sport that once it's in your system it's hard to get out, you do become addicted to it and you can't help but be enthused by the sport and what it brings out in people," said Maroney, who set himself a challenge of repeating his 2009 World Championship Aquathon-Sprint Triathlon double.
"I had to challenge myself to at least equal what I did on the Gold Coast two years ago and even though I didn't quite get there in the Aquathon, to be crowned World Champion again in what was a very competitive age group was very satisfying."
But he had to thank fellow triathlon legend, Tony Duffy from Miami on the Gold Coast, who was second in the 50-54 years Olympic distance, for pointing him in the right direction.
"The event can get confusing at times and a lot of people, including myself needed reminding that I still had one lap to go on the run," said Maroney.
"Tony yelled out at me and told me I still wasn't finished and to keep going - I owe him my World title, that's for sure."
Others, like Dmitri Simons from Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast were not so lucky and were unfortunately disqualified after running a lap short.
Maroney, the older brother of one of Australia's most celebrated marathon swimmers, Susie Maroney, was one of nine Australians to be crowned World Champion over the Sprint, Olympic or Paratriathlon events.
MICHAEL MARONEY won the competitive 45-49 years Sprint Distance gold over the 750 swim, 20km bike and 5km run course and was joined on the gold medal podium by:
JANE MOUNTFORD from Merewether (NSW) who won the 60-64 years Sprint category;
NICKY WESTERN from Scone (NSW) who also added gold in the 40-44 years Sprint distance event;
CLINT VAN BEVEREN from Sydney (NSW) winner of the 35-39 years Sprint;
LUKE FARRELL from Bokarina (Queensland) who won the competitive 16-19 years Sprint age group, one of eight Australians in the field, who all finished in the top 25;
ANDRENA MOORE from Grange (SA) who won the 60-64 years Olympic Distance gold;
LAUREN ROBERTSON, from Gunnedah (NSW) who won the 35-39 years Olympic distance after also winning gold in the Aquathon (2.5km run, 1.5km swim, 2.5km run);
JAMES HODGE from Launceston (TAS) who won gold from fellow Australian Matthew Williams, Grays Point (NSW) in the 18-19 Olympic Distance and;
BILL CHAFFEY from Bilambil Heights (NSW) who won back his world Paratriathlon title in the Tri-1 category.
Silver medals went to:
ASHLEE BAILIE Wollongong (NSW) and formerly from Bunbury in (WA) who was a fast finishing second in the Junior World Championship;
JAN IREDALE from Cronulla (NSW) in the Sprint distance 65-69 years age group continuing on the Iredale family's tradition in triathlon and surf sports;
KEN MURLEY (Cairnlea, VIC) who was second home in the 65-69 years men's sprint event;
JOSH DEW from Ballarat (VIC) finished second in the 25-29 years Sprint after his bronze in the Aquathon;
SARAH LESTER Glen Iris (VIC) who was also second in the 25-29 years Sprint;
TONY DUFFY from Miami (QLD) in the 50-54 years Olympic distance;
ADAM CASHMORE Warnambool (VIC) in the 30-34 years Olympic distance;
ROBERT SKILLMAN from Goulburn (NSW) in the 25-29 years Olympic distance and;
MATTHEW WILLIAMS from Grays Point in the 18-19 years Olympic Distance.
With bronze medals going to:
PETER SMITH from Mawson Lakes (SA) in the 70-74 years Sprint Race;
MARION HERMITAGE from Daisy Hill (QLD) third in the 45-49 years Sprint after her gold medal in the 45-49 years Aquathon;
BELINDA DENT, Sydney (NSW) in the 35-39 years women's Sprint;
JOAN BEECROFT from Gladstone (QLD) in the 65-69 years Olympic Distance;
LINDA O'CONNOR from Ashgrove in QLD in the 45-49years Olympic Distance and;
SEAN SMEE from Port Melbourne (VIC) in the 30-34 years Olympic Distance.