Olympic Boxer Harry Garside Swaps Ring for Triathlon Challenge in Newcastle
Olympic bronze medallist Harry Garside brought a touch of star power to the sporting scene in Newcastle this weekend, trading his boxing gloves for a wetsuit and bike to compete in the Island Triathlon at Stockton. The 28-year-old athlete, who famously claimed a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics but experienced a surprising first-round exit at the Paris Games, demonstrated his versatility by finishing in the top 10 of the men's field.
Triathlon Festival Draws Hundreds Despite Smoky Conditions
The fifth instalment of the Island Triathlon Festival kicked off with the Sunrise Run on Saturday morning, which saw participation numbers swell to almost 1000 competitors. However, concerns arose late Saturday as heavy smoke blanketed the area, threatening to disrupt Sunday's main events. Fortunately, a southeasterly breeze cleared the air by morning, allowing the triathlon to proceed safely.
Event director Paul Humphreys of H Events shared his relief with the Newcastle Herald, stating, "Last night the smoke got really bad but we said we'd just see what it was like in the morning. But it ended up being more of a sou'easter, so the air quality wasn't an issue. We asked the technical officials, and we asked people to monitor their own well-being."
Humphreys noted that heat posed a more significant challenge than the smoke, but overall, the event ran smoothly without major incidents.
Strong Competition and Surprise Withdrawal
A robust field of approximately 300 participants turned out for Sunday's standard triathlon, which comprised a demanding 1500-metre swim, a 40-kilometre cycle, and a 10km run. Defending champion Monty Dixon from Newcastle was a late withdrawal from the men's competition, opening the door for new contenders.
Newtown's Dylan Clough emerged victorious, crossing the finish line in an impressive time of one hour, 43 minutes, and 39 seconds. Clough secured his win with a powerful opening swim leg of 13 minutes and 51 seconds, finishing five minutes ahead of runner-up Cameron Wilson from Sydney, who claimed second place for the second consecutive year. Newcastle's own James Knox rounded out the podium in third position.
Garside's Multisport Pursuits and Post-Race Reflections
Harry Garside, who returned to professional boxing in May last year, has been actively exploring other athletic endeavours. His recent pursuits include a stint on the reality television show Dancing with the Stars and an epic bicycle journey from Perth to Sydney. At the Island Triathlon, Garside completed the course in 2:02.10, earning 10th place in the men's field and 14th overall.
Post-race, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist took to Instagram to reflect on his experience, posting, "Note to self - spend less time watching other people's lives, spend more time living your own," acknowledging that this marked his first triathlon in four years.
Humphreys expressed delight at Garside's participation, revealing, "I only knew he was entered yesterday afternoon, when he picked up his race kit. Everyone was beside themselves. He was top 10 in the run and did very well. I think he's just trying a few different sports and is obviously a talented individual."
Women's Field Showcases Local Talent
In the women's competition, Queenslander Sophie Malowiecki from Wilston claimed victory, finishing fifth overall with a time of 1:54.40. Newcastle's Courtney Wevers, fresh from her win at the Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon in November, secured second place, while defending champion Rachael McCarthy from the Central Coast took third.
The Island Triathlon Festival continues to grow as a premier event on the Newcastle sporting calendar, attracting both elite athletes and enthusiastic amateurs to the scenic Stockton location.
