Former professional cyclist Private William Clarke has been crowned long distance triathlon champion at the World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Townsville.
Private Clarke, who has competed in events such as the Giro d’Italia, finished the long distance triathlon ahead of the pack to win in his age group and the overall event.
Having recently joined 12th/40th Battalion, the Royal Tasmania Regiment, and the ADF triathlon team, Private Clarke said this was only his second season of triathlon.
“I had a background of being a professional cyclist and competed in Europe for a long time,” Private Clarke said.
“I think it is a pretty important part of Defence Force being fit and active so I just wanted to join the club.”
He crossed the finish line in five hours and 26 minutes.
Seventeen ADF personnel qualified for different age groups and events from August 15-25, including a chaplain, a musician and pilots.
Events included duathlon (run/bike/run), triathlon (swim/bike/run) cross (mountain bike and trail running), aquathlon (swim/run) and aquabike (swim/bike).
Army Chaplain Darren Cronshaw qualified in multiple disciplines.
After joining a local indoor cricket club and being reminded his hand-eye coordination was terrible, Chaplain Cronshaw looked for a new sport.
Joking with his daughter about doing a triathlon and a marathon is where the passion for a new sport was born.
“I was one of only five to compete in six of the seven events and got recognised at the end of the week as one of the multi-sport legends,” Chaplain Cronshaw said.
“Having an international participation of elite competitors was definitely a highlight. It’s not every day you get to compete in the green and gold.”
