Featonby returns with a bang to open series

The former professional triathlete and cyclist set a new record for the Ganmain Triathlon on Sunday.

Featonby clocked 55.21 minutes for the event, which kick starts the Riverina Tri Series, eclipsing the mark set by hometown hero Caleb Noble (56.01) in 2018.

The Albury athlete had been focusing on his professional cycling career before a change of tact.

"The last year I stopped racing and have been getting back into a bit of running," Featonby said.

"I was a triathlete for six or seven years and switched across to professional cycling and have been racing overseas for the last four years.

"Now I'm just getting back into a bit of running and triathlon to have a bit of fun."

Featonby has competed internationally as a triathlete, including being a training partner for Wagga's Commonwealth Games gold medallist Brad Kahlefeldt.

However he's been surprised just how quickly his competitive streak is growing.

"With COVID I got back into the running and regained that passion," Featonby said.

"I thought I'd have a crack at a few triathlons over the summer, did a few locals ones in Albury and Ganmain was the first biggish one to do.

"Hopefully I can do the rest of the series as the enthusiasm for racing is coming thick and fast.

"It will be interesting to kick it off again and see what level I can get back to."

Fast times were a feature across the day with cooler and calm conditions greeting competitors.

Featonby beat Leeton's Ed Langdon by just over a minute with defending series champion Scott Donaldson in third.

Albury's Julia Hargreave (1:08.38) also went significantly quicker than in last year's event.

Hargreave, who took out the Holbrook Triathlon last season, proved too slick for newcomer Molly Walsh (1:11.52) with Amy Coombes third over the line over a minute further behind.

Coombes took out the under 19s division with defending champion Chloe Hamblin forced to settle for fourth.

There were 102 competitors in the open divisions this year and while it is down on last year's record numbers organiser Kerrilee Logan was still pleased with the response.

"Last year was our biggest year ever so numbers were down a little bit but not significantly," Logan said.

"Given COVID we were so happy with how it ran and the numbers there."

The Riverina Tri Series continues with The Rock's event on March 7.

READ MORE