Mandurah Mayor Paddi Creevey said 16 women competed in, and completed, the first RAW Women’s Only Triathlon involving a 400-metre swim, 10km cycle and 3km run.

“Considering half of the women had never participated in a triathlon before, the results just add to the RAW program’s successful track record,” Mayor Creevey said.

Twenty-five women enrolled in the initial swim and run training as part of the Splash and Dash event held in November, where participants swam a minimum of 150 metres and ran two or four kilometres. This was followed by a four-week “Tri a Tri” training program which worked towards the triathlon.

“Forty women in total took part in the two programs with one taking part in both.  That particular participant was unable to swim 25m in the pool or even jog 300m in the first week of training,” Mayor Creevey said.

“Nine weeks later she successfully completed the inaugural RAW Women’s Only Triathlon and has gone on to participate in other Mandurah Triathlon Club Races.  It’s a pretty awesome achievement.”

The Mandurah Triathlon Club helped to run the RAW triathlon, with prizes and giveaways donated by the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, MBM (Mandurah Bike Man), Sport F1rst and the Physical Activity Task Force.

Other recent ‘come and try’ sessions are Try Dragon Boating on January 31 at the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club, and Learn to Surf at Pyramids Beach on February 2 and 3.  Registrations for both programs can be made at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre on 9550 3600.

Plans are also in the pipeline for getting 18 to 55-year-old males involved in a new program called MIA – Males in Action.

“I understand this demographic is one that is usually left out when it comes to running specific programs, yet their activity levels are not much greater than those of women who are the same age.  So I think there’s a challenge coming up! ” Mayor Creevey said.

Contact Mandurah Physical Activity Officer Alisha Williams on 9550 3623 for more information about the RAW and MIA programs.

30 January 2008

RELEASE ENDS