Edition 5206, April 15, 2010 - Department of Defence

SP S RT
April 15, 2010
CPL
He didn’t even know he had won the ADF title until
he was called to the stage in front of 3000 people
STILL FULL
OF PUFF:
FSGT Craig
Hardwicke,
contesting
his 150th
triathlon,
grits his
teeth on a
steep climb
at Newcastle.
Photo: LACW
Katharine
Pearson
Matt Monaghan stars in cricket win – Page 29
Our very
own
ironman
AND THE WINNER IS: FLTLT Terry
Withers who put in his usual big effort on
the cycle leg. Photo: LACW Amy Trebilco
AFL players’
messages
to ADF
personnel
overseas
John Martin and AB Michael Baruch
Page 30
IN HIS 20th year as a Defence triathlete,
FLTLT Terry Withers has become
Defence’s ironman champion.
To his own surprise, he was crowned
the Australian Defence Sports Triathlon
Association (ADSTA) champion at Port
Macquarie on March 29 – more than a day
after completing the gruelling event, which
includes a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride
and a 42.2km run.
FLTLT Withers, 45, was one
of 3000 people assembled in a
giant marquee for the awards
ceremony the night after the
event, which had a wider
media focus this year due to
the much-heralded presence of
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott
among the colour, movement
and confusion of more than
1500 entrants.
FLTLT Withers had been
pleased with his time – 10hrs
22mins – which was nine seconds
faster than his last ironman
triathlon attempt 10 years
ago.
“I was expecting a second
or perhaps third,” he said.
So imagine his surprise
when he was called to the
stage to accept first place.
Continued Page 31