Speedy teen triathlete Emma McInnes has become NSW age champion for 16-19 girls after an outstanding debut at the Olympic distance on Sunday.
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In ninth place overall, McInnes finished behind several professional athletes in the Coffs Harbour race, including winner Sophie Malowiecki.
"I was aiming to get better than 2.40 hrs, and it was just kind of an experiment because I’ve got another one coming up soon, and I actually broke two and a half hours. So that was surprising," she said. She completed the swim in 26.15 min, the bike 1 hr, 16.22 min and the run in 43.49 min.
"It was really cool to see them (the pros) fly past really fast."
Although she had only competed in the much shorter sprint distance before, McInnes savoured the opportunity to test her endurance skills. The NIAS Lone Star athlete concentrated on the run, her favourite stage. Despite her speed, she still had time to take everything in.
"On the run, there’s a nice beach to look at on Coffs Harbour, and there’s lots of supporters and stuff, so that kept me going," she said.
SEE ALSO: Inverell triathlete wins Oakey race
The milestone followed a strong finish in the State All Schools carnival in Penrith earlier in the week. McInnes was 15th in the Intermediate Girls category and fifth in the Combined Catholic Colleges, a step up from previous years. It wasn't her easiest race, but she kept a positive attitude.
"The swim was quite challenging because you start in the water. I was in the second row kind of bunched in. But it was ok once we got started," she said.
"On the run I tripped over the gutter, but it was ok, I just got back up and kept running."
Her next challenge comes in race four (of six) in the Western Downs Tri Series in Oakey this Sunday. After two wins and a second place ranking in the first three races, McInnes is in good stead to become the 2019 women's champion.
"I’ve competed in Oakey before. There’s a hill on the bike course which is pretty tough if there’s wind, but if there’s not much wind, then it’s a really good course," she said.
A true sports lover, McInnes enjoys the opportunity to compete in three separate disciplines. A day rarely goes by without training or competition. She swims and rides three times a week, runs twice a week and often competes on the weekends.
She fell in love with the sport several years ago when she joined her father on his runs. "I like all the support from the Inverell Tri Club," she said. "So I just kept going, getting more into it."