Marfell makes good on Traverse challenge

PETER JONES

Marlborough’s leading triathlete, 19-year-old Gus Marfell, is always keen for a challenge.

Last year he won the annual Mount Vernon Grand Traverse race around the Wither Hills, completing the undulating 18km course in the very slick time of one hour 12 minutes 38 seconds.

to the fore, Ryan and Keiran combining to win one pairs title, Shae and Hayden picking up another. The four siblings joined forces to take out the coxless four title, pipping Dunstan by half a metre.

Also notable was the return of Kristian Fuller after 30 years out of the boat. He picked up three golds as did his brother Dane, a former NZ lightweight rep. In total Ryan Gaudin picked up nine golds, Keiran, Shae and Hayden bagged seven, Mark Patterson six and James Ashley four.

Of special note for the home club was the effort of the Picton eight, comprising Keiran Gaudin, Dane Fuller, Hayden Gaudin, Ryan Gaudin, Kristian Fuller, Daniel Karena, James Ashley, Shae Gaudin and cox Jamie Cunningham, in winning the long-distance race and Ryan Gaudin’s victory in the men’s singles.

Maia Bahlsen, Jill Evans, Bronwyn Lane, Debbie Odell with cox Maea Novero took out the women’s novice quad title. Also in action were members of the Blenheim Rowing Club, rowing in a regatta for the first time since 2019, due to COVID and other restrictions.

Club members competed in 14 events over the two days, coming away with gold in eight events, silver in three and bronze in another.

It was also the first time since 2013 Blenheim Masters were able to enter an eight at a regatta, coming away with victories in the mixed eight, women’s eight and men’s eight in various age categories.

Crews to stand out were the mixed quad (E-K) combination of Cynthia de Joux, Sarah Lissaman, Steve Mason and Shane Rohloff; the women’s eight (A-D) of Marjolein van Velthuijsen, de Joux, Lissaman, Rebecca Wilson, Regan Southon, Suzy Scorer, Amy McMullan, Melissa Cragg and cox Kristy Udy; the women’s four (A-D) of van Velthuijsen, de Joux, Lissaman and Cragg; plus the mixed eight (E-K) involving van Velthuijsen, de Joux, Lissaman, Barry Sayer, Mason, McMullan, Rohloff, Willie Parker and cox Maddison Southon.

After the race he admitted he was aware of the race record of 1.12.05, set by George Varney in 2019, and declared, “I guess I will have to come back next year and give it another try”.

And that he certainly did, taking out his second consecutive title on Sunday, plus setting a new race record of 1.09.22 in the process.

Gus led from start to finish, coming home over 10 minutes ahead of second placegetter John Yells (1.19.35) amid 37 entrants.

As one of the country’s leading junior triathletes, Gus is well used to pacing himself and he used those skills to get the job done.

“I had some splits written on my hand,” he explained. “They were times I did last year which I wanted to improve on. The first one was to 5km, then to the top of Mount Vernon, and at the bottom of Mount Vernon. Pretty much all the way I was slowly building up that time ahead … and I felt reasonably good at the finish.”

Although he was out on his own for much all the race, Gus caught up with some of the 11km runners which, he said, “gave me something to focus on”.

Gus is in his triathlon competition off-season at the moment and relishes the chance to break up a hectic training schedule with some local events, such as the Traverse.

“I am building a fitness base at the moment so the main thing is doing these local races and having a bit of fun with the off-season … getting out and doing stuff which you can’t do in race season,” he added.

Third in the 18km gut-buster was former Olympic rower Nathan Flannery (1.22.59) while Haleigh Rayner was the first woman home in 1.51.32.

The 11km Fun Run Walk, contested by 35, was also won in emphatic fashion, youngster Callum Rayner finishing nearly four minutes ahead of second-placed Brody Halkett (1.03.50).

Last year Callum also prevailed, winning in one hour 33 minutes. On Sunday he underlined his rapid improvement, speeding around the course to break the one-hour mark, finishing in 59.58.

Dan Bullock was third (1.04.13) with fourth-placed Victoria Hos the first woman home in 1.06.45. Also held in conjunction with the Traverse was a 2km Kids Challenge, the energetic Myal King heading the 35-strong field in nine minutes 28 seconds.