Stuart Hayes Blog: 2nd place in the New York Triathlon
New York Triathlon July 20th
In Extreme humidity and what turned out to be a day of mixed emotions and drama, Greg Bennett successfully won his 4th New york City triathlon, and I was 2nd and Andy Potts was 3rd.
It started in the Hudson River with a fast flowing current with the swim being a lot shorter than expected. Then everyone had to run on concrete for about 600m to the bike transition! Paul Tichleaar led the swim out but I was right on his shoulder then Greg Bennett , Simon Whitfield & Brent Mcmahon. Andy Potts came out about 10sec behind due to swimming the wrong line.
Onto the bike leg and immediately Bennett threw down the pace and was riding hard, I went with Bennett for 20km and we had broken away from the rest of the field. Bennett continued to extend his lead and came into transition 25 sec ahead of me with Brent Mcmahon catching me coming into transition.
Onto the run and Bennett was strong he ran away with the race, I ran with Mcmahon head to head until the last mile when Mcmahon surged away. Coming into the finish straight Macon looked to be in trouble he was severely dehydrated and collapsed 15m short of the line. I ran past into 2nd place and still McMahon tried to crawl to the line.
Then Potts came across in 3rd and Tichelaar 4th and finally with every ounce of energy Mcmahon crawled across in 5th place then was rushed to hospital.
I understand he is ok, and wish him speediest of recoveries poor bloke.
It was a day of emotions and excitement, congratulations to everyone that finished this race it was so hot.
My next race is the national champs next week so look forward to the tough bike course. Its one of the hardest bike courses I have ever raced on. Bring it on.!
Stu Hayes.