Canberra's Hannah Flannery has set her sights on success closer to home this summer after a spectacular result in her international debut at this month's San Francisco Half Marathon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After a limited preparation and a holiday in South America, Flannery finished third of the 25,000 female starters in the largest race of its kind.
Winner of this year's Canberra Half Marathon, the 24-year-old will now focus on building towards the world cross-country trials in Canberra on January 20 and an eventual transition to the marathon.
''I have ambitions to be a good marathoner, so hopefully in the next few years I can improve my half-marathon times and look to be competitive over the marathon distance,'' she said.
Two Tims to battle again
Current Australian champion Tim Berkel and the fourth-fastest ironwoman in history, Bek Keat, headline a record field to contest the Canberra Ironman 70.3 triathlon in December.
Registration closed yesterday, with more than 1500 individuals and 40 teams having entered the December 16 event.
The popularity of long-distance triathlon continues to grow - the field is the biggest since the race began in 2000. But it will be just as impressive for its quality.
Berkel will resume his battle with defending champion Tim Reed in Canberra. Berkel and Reed finished first and second respectively at the Australian 70.3 championship in Western Australia on Sunday.
Keat is one of the few women in the world to break nine hours for the full Ironman distance. Keat will face stiff competition from multiple champion Kate Bevilaqua.
Fitz's is not for all
It's not too late to take on one of Australia's toughest one-day cycling challenges, with the organisers expecting about 1300 riders to roll up for Sunday's annual Fitz's Challenge.
Online registrations have closed, but riders can enter in person at Stromlo Forest Park from 10am to 9pm on Saturday and before the event on Sunday.
Entrants have a choice of five rides. They range in distance from 50 kilometres to the 255km Fitz's Extreme, which comprises more than 4700 metres of climbing and has a 13½ hour time limit.
Transition is a new column in for multisport, such as triathlon, cycling, swimming, running, orienteering and adventure racing. To submit tips, email sport@canberratimes.com.au
