Cronulla Tri club host memorial Aquathlon

With nearly 300 competitors lining up this year the Cronulla Tri Club organisers also included the Sean Maroney first responders 000 Aquathon cup inside the main race.

The Ritchie Walker Memorial Aquathlon was first held in 1987 and was won by his close mate and "Biathlon King" Rick Pallister.

This race is dedicated to the memory of Richie Walker, a promising Cronulla Triathlon Club member who tragically and suddenly passed due to a heart attack during a race in Tamworth.

The race is organised and run by Cronulla Triathlon Club volunteers committed to creating an opportunity for athletes of all abilities to compete against one another in a fun, organised and safe environment.

The races also provide professional-level results catering to those looking to improve their best time. All profits are donated in Richie's name to The Heart Foundation assisting their research into the causes and cures of heart disease - to date over $100,000 has been donated through the RWA.

This year, the RWA also hosted the ITU Youth, Junior, and U23 Aquathlon Championship, the TriNSW Aquathlon Championship as well as serving as a qualifier for the 2021 ITU World Championships.

After the junior races were run and won the elite took to the water and it didn't take long for Triathlon NSW Development Squad member and multiple race winner Nathan Breen to over-haul the swim leg leader Kurt Fryer and run away with the win in just under 30 minutes (29.56)

Breen said he only lives 200 metres up the road, so he was happy to take the win.

"Its actually a tough cross country course and I had to get in my rhythm and grind through the mentally challenging run leg."

21-year-old Tilly Offord was the first women home also coming out of the water second and punishing her opposition in the run.

"I knew if I just focused on my technique the results would come, I grew up in Cronulla and still train here, so its good to get a victory in my old stomping ground."

Fittingly Michael Maroney won the Sean Maroney Cup in an emotional day after the recent passing of family matriarch Pauline.

Mick said he wasn't sure whether he could get up and get out there on race day.

"Seeing old friends, my sister, and the memory of mum and Sean got me to the start line.

"I can't remember ever feeling so proud to win a trophy than the feeling I had today," he said.