Drama for Trex Snowy Mountains Winner

There was action aplenty at Lake Crackenback Resort in February where the best off-road triathletes assembled for the TREX Snowy Mountains. The event is part of the National TreX Cross Triathlon Series.

The elite athletes endured a 1500m swim leg, 30k mountain bike and 10k run to the finish and after much sweat and drama, Mathew Pellow won the men’s event and Jacqui Allen the female winner.

Mathew Pellow certainly added an amount of unplanned drama to his race, with the athlete saying he dropped his chain three times plus had a spectacular crash.

“I was having bike issues,” said Mathew after finishing.

“Actually on that ride I dropped my chain three times and clipped a tree and went over the bars once. It was far from a textbook ride.”

“It was just a lapse in concentration, I think I was having a drink and my bar clipped the tree and I went over. It was a nice grassy landing.”

After surprising himself in the swim leg with a strong swim, and the bike issues, he managed to pull it all together on the day for victory.

“I was probably the most underprepared for the swim. I kind of didn’t really train over January in the water, I just kept running and riding. I have been swimming the last four weeks, so that’s why I was really stoked with the swim.”

Commenting on his bike leg he said, “in between mechanicals I was working very hard to try and maintain a gap, and every time I gained a few seconds I would lose it again. I need to sort my bike out.”

“Three years ago actually was my first ever time on a mountain bike. I did twelve months learning to ride and came back last year and had a proper crack at it, finished third. This year was a little bit underprepared but more skill and understanding of the course. I was hitting all the corners much quicker and good result this year.

“The guy that won it last year wasn’t here, if he was here, Dean Cain, he would have been tough to beat. I’ll take a win when it is given to me and I’ll be ready to go again next year and hopefully he’ll be here.”

In the women’s event, Jacqui Allen clinched a victory from two athletes she helps train with B&J Racing.

Jacqui has been a familiar face for many years and knows the Lake Crackenback course well. At the finish she proved too good for Ruth Owen-Evans and Olivia Sutchbury.

“One of favourite races but I have to admit it never gets any easier,” said Jacqui.

“It’s always longer than you like it to be but it’s just fantastic, its such a great race, great course and there are so many people here this year. It’s really impressive to be racing with coronavirus and the fact they have been able to put together such a successful race.”