The History of Cronulla Triathlon Club is extensive. We are continually updating
this section with new information when it comes to hand. Any correspondence
related to history can be emailed to stan1@ozemail.com.au for upload after
verification.
The following notes discuss the lead up to, formation of and the outstanding
achievements the Cronulla Triathlon Club has reached during its four decade
reign as the oldest and most successful triathlon club in Australia. The Cronulla
Triathlon Club is home to three Australian males and one female, who have won
the prestigious Hawaiian Ironman World Championship. They are Greg WelchOAM
(1), Chris McCormack (2), Craig Alexander (3) and Michellie Jones (1). The
number after the name denotes the number of times they have won Hawaii.
The club also proudly owns the title of having the most Australian World,
National and Local Elite and Age Group Champions as members and some of
these people are located in the life member section of this website. These results
are taken from historical information, media releases, information supplied by
club members and encompass the results of club members in Local, National and
International, Triathlon, Multisport events and Fun Runs. To be included here, all
persons named in this information were Cronulla Triathlon Club members at the
time of the result.
1978 - The first Hawaiian Ironman is held in Oahu Hawaii with 15 competitors
and is won by Gordon Haller in 11hrs 46mins. In 1979 the first woman Lyn
Lemair finishes in a time of 12hrs 55mins.
October 4, 1981 - Triathlon is born in Australia. A "tri-marathon" was staged at
Wanda Beach to Waterfall with 64 competitors. The race Director was Ron Pears.
He is the first Triathlon Race Director in Australia and the Father of Triathlon in
Australia. The course was a 1.5k swim from Sth Cronulla to Wanda Beach
followed by the run from Wanda to Waratah Park bike track at Sutherland, and
then the bike went from Sutherland to Waterfall and return. The race was
sponsored by Johnsons Wax. The unknown Greg Reddan (fresh off the Hawaiian
Ironman) won the race after catching Rick Parkes just before the finish. Mark
Pringle was 9th, Dick Quinn was 24th, Billy Stafford was 25th and Billy Collis was
29th. The late Billy Stafford is a world age group champion and a life member,
and Billy Collis is the founding member of 'Billy's Bushies' running club. The
winning time is just over 2hrs.
May 2 1982 - The Tri Marathon race was held again and sponsored by Stewart
Toyota a large dealership in our area. The event was renamed the "Sydney TriMarathon". Greg Reddan won the event after coming 7th overall in Hawaii.
Interestingly there was no female division in either of these races. At one stage
Rick Pallister was leading the cycle stage of the race and took out the prestigious
award of being the first to lead a race and crash out. A future Olympic cyclist
makes his mark at 16 years and finishes 2nd, his name is Clayton Stevenson.
Michael Maroney makes his debut at 15 years of age. Greg WelchAOM is at this
stage of his life far away from triathlon and is an Australian Champion Squash
Player
The 1983 race was sponsored by All-Men Engineering and won by Clayton
Stevenson from John Holt and Paul Banister. Lisa Hardy, another Elouera Surf
Club member, became the first female winner & finisher. Elouera was held for
the last time in 84 as the race was becoming a logistical nightmare for the surf
club to hold it. During this race current Australian Surf Life Saving Champ and
Elouera member, Stewart Taylor was knocked off his bike at a busy cross section
and spent a long period in hospital and rehabilitating and thus ended his surf
career. The accident cost Stewart a place in the World Surf Lifesaving titles as a
result he decided to come across to Ironman to watch that year. The race was
heavily criticized and Local Authorities stated that Triathlons would never
succeed in the area due to the traffic nightmares. Belinda Soszyn also makes her
debut in this race.
1983 - The Royal National Park Triathlon organised by the Bushies commences.
Michael Maroney won in 1986 and 1994, Michellie Jones won in 1990. The
famous Southwell brothers, Paul, John, Tony, Chris and Steven all race - starting
the most famous triathlon family dynasty in the world. Father Bob and Mother
Eileen would also become triathlon legends. A point of interest in the history of
this race was in 1989 when Michael Maroney rode the 42 km course faster than
a four man time trial team entered by the Australian Institute of Sport. Michael
would go on to become by far the most dominant cyclist in the sport of triathlon
in Australia with a PB lap of the National Park course of 59 mins. He is one of
Cronulla Triathlon Club's most outstanding, much loved and proudest members.
1983 - A popular Aquathon series is created run around the Sutherland St
George area, 5k run and 800 swim, with most of the surf club guys taking part
in this series. These were fun short events and there was always a free drink at
the end. This series was sponsored by the National Bank, numbers were about
50 -100 in each race. Winners were mostly the Parkes brothers - Daniel Esposito
(who represented Australia at the Olympics in Pentathlon) & Clayton Stevenson
who was only about 14-15 at this stage. Surf swimmers and Australian
Champions Stewart Taylor and Rick Pallister were always near the front as were
guys like Paul Banister & Mark Pringle. The little known Andrew Lloyd competes
in these races. Andrew Lloyd goes on to become one of the greatest Australian
Distance runners in Australia becoming a two time Olympian and a
Commonwealth Gold medallist. Andrew later moves back to Cronulla in 1993 and
becomes a favourite member of the Triathlon Club along with the late Danny
Maher. Andrew marries a top Cronulla female triathlete Sue Thompson.
12 September 1984 - Tri NSW first AGM was held and Neil Robinson becomes
the first committee member.
17 September 1984 - Tony Unicomb decides to leave behind Professional Surfing
and Baseball and commence a career in Triathlon. He is told by his doctor that
due to his anatomy he will never be able to finish in the top 200 of any event.
He races the Wisemans Ferry Triathlon and comes 12th outright. Mark Pringle
comes 3rd. How wrong the doctor was about Tony Unicomb.
October 6th 1984 - Warren Buchan (former club and foundation member) and
Chris Wooldridge (current club member) both compete in the Hawaiian Ironman
and finish 26th and 42nd respectively. This was despite Buchan despite
collapsing 200metres out and crawling and stumbling to the finish line with
severe hydration. Also competing were Ross Pyett, Greg Miller, John Wilken and
Paul Banister. Ross Pyett and Greg Miller both finished in the top third of the
field. Stewart Taylor and Paul Bannister came along to watch and get a feel for
the race that year and lead the spectators from Australia that now number in the
thousands.
It was in Hawaii in November 1984 that Ross Pyett and others started the plans
for holding a race at Forster.
1985 - The name "Cronulla Triathlon Club" was officially registered and John
Holt, World Surf Ironman Champion, was the inaugural president. John Holt
along with John Wilken, Tony and Chris Southwell, Ross Pyett, Stuart Taylor,
Warren Buchan, Mark Pringle, Bob Freeland, Greg Miller, Trevor Matthews, Paul
Banister, Ritchie Walker, Dick Quinn, Clayton Stevenson and John and Jason
Harper hold a meeting at the Polar Bears Room in Cronulla Surf Club and
become the foundation members who vote in the clubs constitution. The club's
Wednesday night social run begins and creates lifelong friendships which still
exist today. Bob Freeland and Trevor Matthews are still active members of the
club.
1985 -Tony Unicomb wins the Benefit Planners Sydney Triathlon at Narrabeen
Lakes Half Ironman distance, Bob Telfer was 2nd. The run was a half marathon
up and down Powderworks Road.
1985 - Through the hard work of Mark Pringle, the Cronulla Triathlon Club
secures Carlton United (Fosters Beer) as its first and very generous sponsor. The
first club presentation is held at the Carlton United Stand at the SCG and
Showgrounds at Moore Park.
1985 - Mark Pringle ventures to America and wins the Big Bear Series in
California.
1985 - Greg WelchAOM competes in his 1st triathlon in Nowra and commences
one of the most outstanding world class Triathlon careers to date and the legend
begins.
1985 - Michael Maroney wins the junior section of the National Park Triathlon
and is crowned NSW Junior State Champion.
1985 - Michael Maroney wins the Macquarie Towns Triathlon
1985 - Alan Mitchell creates Australian Triathlete Magazine which sells out each
month for 20 years. Aileen Southwell, Johanna Southwell and Lisa Pringle are
the contributing writers and editors.
1985 - Tony Southwell wins the Gosford, Coffs Harbour and Grafton
Quadrathons. These were a swim, ski paddle, cycle and run event.
1985 - Tony Southwell, Billy Stafford and Jeff Williams decide to hold Australia’s
first Triathlon Ball to recognise the Australian Champions. This annual event
grows to mammoth proportions with Australian Triathlete Magazine becoming
the event organiser. The inaugural event is held at the Taren Point Bowling Club.
In later years it is held at large sporting clubs and hosts 500 tickets which sell
out.
1986 - Michael Maroney wins the National Park Triathlon
1986 - Tony Southwell defends his title and wins the Gosford Quadrathon.
1986 - Tony Unicomb, Greg WelchAOM, Rick Pallister, John Wilken, Ritchie
Walker, Mark Pringle and the Southwell family are now stalwarts in the Triathlon
early days finishing regularly in the top ten of events with hundreds of
competitors.
1986 - Tony Southwell places 7th overall in the Australia Olympic Distance
Championships at Frankston Victoria. He becomes our first "top ten" Australian
National Champion
1986 - Tony Unicomb wins the Sydney Adventist Church Triathlon at Berowra
Waters
1986 - Ritchie Walker, a foundation club member, passes away during the swim
leg of the Tamworth Triathlon. Plans are made for a memorial aquathon event in
his memory.
1986 - Michael Maroney is crowned the NSW State Triathlete of the year for
1985/86 season.
1987 - The Annual Boxing Day Scungie Run is commenced from the Southwell
Family Home in Caringbah.
1987 - The Ritchie Walker Memorial Aquathon was first held. The event was won
by his close mate and "Biathlon King" Rick Pallister and had a field of 600 plus
competitors. The perpetual trophy is annually presented by Ritchie's parents
Dave and Liz. Dave is a St. George Rugby League player and Liz an Olympian.
The RW perpetual trophy contains names of the most famous in the sport who
race each year to win this prestigious award, not because of the race, but
because of who raced it. See the Ritchie Walker race results section of this
website to see the list of elite athletes who have won this race.
1987 - Tony Southwell wins the Coffs Harbour Quadrathon
1987 - Tony Unicomb wins the Central Coast Triathlon
1987 - Michael Maroney wins the Bundeena Triathlon
1987 - Greg WelchAOM places third in the Great Lakes Triathlon (Australian
Ironman Championship). Bob Telfer, another Cronulla and Billies Bushies legend
is 2nd.
1987 - Michael Maroney, Mark Pringle, John Holt, Greg Welch OAM and Tony
Unicomb combine to win the first ever Triathlon Club Championship held at
Heffron Park. There were 6 Metropolitan clubs and a Wollongong club at that
time.
1988 - John Baker is elected as President
1988 - The Tynan Motor Group become a major sponsor of the Triathlon Club
1988 - Tony Unicomb wins the clubs first "world title", the International Law
Enforcement Olympics Triathlon as a serving Police Officer and becomes the
club's first Triathlon World Champion.
1988 - The Club Secures Greg Ball Holden as its next Major Sponsor. Greg Ball is
also an accomplished member of the club.
1988 - Greg Welch AOM, Rory McRea and John McKenzie Hicks combine to win
the Luke Savage Three Person Relay. Welch runs from Bangor to Bundeena
(25klms) prior to the start of the race. Google the distance and see just how far
that is!!! It was a sign of things to come from Mr Welch.
1988 - Mark Pringle beats a quality field to win the OOO Biathlon held at South
Cronulla Beach. He is a Cronulla Lifeguard at the time.
1988 - Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon
1989 - Greg WelchAOM wins the Nepean Triathlon.
1989 - Clinton Barter wins the South West Rocks Trial Bay Triathlon.
1989 - Michael Maroney wins the Bundeena Triathlon
1989 - Tony Unicomb comes 9th in the Australian Ironman Championship.
1989 - Tony Unicomb wins the "Tuff" Triathlon at Akuna Bay. This ridiculously
tough race is over the hills of the Warringah National Park and Tony wins against
several professional entries from the Australian Navy.
1989 - Michael Maroney and Rick Pallister combine to win the Luke Savage Two
Person Relay at Bundeena defeating numerous notable runners
1989 - Michael Maroney beats a star studded international field and wins the
Noosa Triathlon collecting the largest prize purse in Australia known as the
"Eumundi Pot of Gold $5000".
1989 - On the same day as Michael Maroney wins Noosa, Greg WelchAOM places
third in the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship in a time of 8hrs 32 mins
behind the great Mark Allen and Dave Scott.
1989 - Michael Maroney wins the Elouera 1/2 Marathon defeating a quality team
of track and road running athletes.
1989 - Mark and Lisa Pringle, as race directors, create the world's first criterium
triathlon held at Sans Souci NSW. The two lap swim, four lap cycle and three lap
run set a new benchmark for triathlon and Greg WelchAOM wins the race, Rick
Pallister is 2nd, Mick Maroney 4th, Tony Unicomb 5th, Chris Southwell 6th, John
Southwell 8th, John Wilken 9th, and Ian Ross on debut is 10th. In the women’s,
Michellie Jones wins, Melinda Mentha 2nd, and Leonie McKenzie-Hicks 3rd. John
Holt races his last triathlon finishes 18th and 3rd in his age group. Glenn Gorick
in 9th place during the cycle leg is run over by a car and attacked by a local man
for being in the way!
1989 - Michael Maroney, Rick Palliser and John Southwell place 1st, 2nd and 3rd
respectively, all defeating The Australian Duathlon Champion Adam Joyce at the
Dapto Leagues Duathlon Championship.
1989 - Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach triathlon; Rick Pallister has a
mechanical failure on his bike. John Southwell finishes 7th and Glenn Gorick 8th.
1989 - Michael Maroney wins the Nowra Triathlon
1989 - Michael Maroney wins the Canberra Capital Triathlon.
1989 - Rick Pallister wins his second Ritchie Walker Aquathon title with all the
usual suspects in the top ten including Mick Maroney, John Southwell, Chris
Southwell, Glenn Gorick, Peter Brunker, Greg Welch OAM and a host of other
triathlon members.
1990 - Michael Maroney wins the Nowra and Port Macquarie Triathlons, John
Southwell, Rick Pallister, Glenn Gorick, Mark Pringle and Tony Unicomb also
feature regularly in the top ten of races during this season.
1990 - Lena Edmonson comes first, Belinda Soszyn and Clair Turner 3rd in the
Sydney Biathlon
1990 - Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon
1990 - The Cronulla Triathlon Club fill 5 positions in the Auckland
Commonwealth Games Triathlon Team. Tony Unicomb, Greg WelshAOM, Michael
Maroney, Melinda Mentha and Michellie Jones. This is the largest contribution
from any club in Australia. Michael Maroney is part of the team that wins the
gold in the Teams race.
1990 - Greg WelchAOM wins the World Olympic Distance Championship in
Orlando Florida USA. He defeats Brad Bevan and Stephen Foster who make it an
all Australian podium.
1990 - Wednesday night runs are changed for an elite group of Cronulla
Triathlon Club members with a Cycle Time Trial training session of a lap of the
42.2 klm National Park circuit. The course has enormous hills in it and not long
Triathletes are turning up in race trim. Michael Maroney clocks 59 mins for the
loop along with Greg Welch and Rick Pallister.
1990 - Rick Pallister finishes 2nd and Glenn Gorick finishes 5th in the 2DayFM
Biathlon in Sydney Harbour
1990 - Greg Welch OAM comes 5th in the World Ironman Championship in a
time of 8.46.07
1990 - Cronulla Triathlon Club female members filled 28% of the women's field
at the Australian Ironman and dominate the race with Louise Bonham 1st,
Melinda Mentha 2nd, Leonie Denny 4th and Belinda Soszyn (6th). The men were
not to be outdone; Mark Pringle wins the swim in a record time of 46 mins. 22
secs, and in the overall, Chris Southwell 3rd, Tim Ahern 6th, Mark Pringle 9th
and John Southwell 10th.
1990 - Cronulla Triathlon club professionals dominate the Botany Bay Invitation
only triathlon. Greg WelchAOM wins, Jason Harper was 4th, Glenn Gorick 5th,
Clinton Barter 6th and Mark Pringle 7th. Michellie Jones wins the women’s and
commences an amazing career.
1990 - Chris Southwell wins the St George Criterium Triathlon. The club takes
out all top five places with Mick Maroney 2nd, Mick Gilliam 3rd, Glenn Gorick and
John Wilken in a tie for 4th with Tim Ahern bursting on to the triathlon scene in
8th on debut. Michellie Jones wins the female race and the race is a huge
success for Mark and Lisa Pringle with over 500 entries and the race being
covered by SBS TV. Sean Maroney makes his debut.
1990 - Greg Welch AOM wins the Lake Illawarra Triathlon.
1990 - Mark Pringle creates Australia’s first off road Duathlon called the "Bunny
Hop" with a three race series at Wanda Beach. The race is a 5k sand and trail
run, a 20km mountain bike followed by a 5k trail run. Glenn Gorick wins the first
event with Rick Pallister 2nd and John Wilken 3rd. Wilken wins the overall series.
1990 - Greg Welch OAM wins the Coke a Cola Coogee Winter Biathlon
1990 - Michellie Jones Leonie McKenzie-Hicks and Shari Peters place 1, 2 and 3
in the National Park Triathlon. Michellie has the fastest run record to this day.
The men also do well with Andrew Douglas 2nd, Ian Ross 3rd, Mark Pringle 5th,
Andrew Hunter 6th, Glenn Gorick 8th, David Brown 9th and Grant Webster 10th.
Clinton Barter an up and coming junior places 16th.
1990 - Glenn Gorick and Warren Curtis combine to win the Luke Savage Two
Person relay at Bundeena.
1990 - Ian Ross wins the Spokesman Triathlon in Canberra with Glenn Gorick
4th and Jason Metters 5th.
1990 - Clinton Barter wins the Woy Woy Biathlon
1990 - Greg Welch OAM wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award
1990 - Clinton Barter wins the Dubbo Triathlon
1991 - Tony Unicomb wins the Merimbula Triathlon
1991 - Greg Welch AOM and Michellie Jones both win the Australian Sprint
Championships held at Bundeena
1991 - Greg Welch AOM places 2nd in the Hawaiian Ironman behind Mark Allen
in a time of 8. 24. 32.
1991 - Michael Maroney wins his third Bundeena Triathlon
1991 - Ian Ross wins the Kempsey Triathlon
1991 - Tony Unicomb wins the Orange Triathlon
1991 - Michael Maroney wins the Canberra Sprint Triathlon against a class field
including Luke Gratten and Adam Joyce
1991 - Glenn Gorick wins the Qantas Club Duathlon
1991 - Ian Ross wins the North Cronulla Aquathon
1991 - John Holt creates the Kurnell Triathlon Series. For the first time in
triathlon history, an enticer to full Olympic distance series is run over four races.
The series is the longest sprint series still running in Australia. Glenn Gorick wins
the first series on pointscore. Michael Maroney holds the most overall and series
wins with 13 outright wins and 7 series wins, his most recent in 2011 where he
won the NSW Sprint Distance title again at the ripe old age of 43. Michael is now
crowned Mr Kurnell and has most likely completed all but a few races.
1991 - Tim Ahern wins the first of his two Australian Ironman titles at Forster
NSW taking home the prestigious Jim Hazel Trophy in 8hr 43 mins and smashes
the Australian record. Belinda Soszyn finishes in 10th in the women’s.
1991 - Clinton Barter wins the Deakin Health Spa Triathlon in Canberra
1991 - Clinton Barter wins the Woy Woy Biathlon
1991 - Belinda Soszyn smashes the entire field including AIS accredited male
runners to win the Thredbo bottom to top hill climb and starts an amazing career
of running steep inclines.
1991 - Rick Pallister and Kim Tunnell win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon.
1991 - Clinton Barter wins the Balranald Triathlon
1991 - Clinton Barter wins the Lake Macquarie Triathlon
1991 - Tony Unicomb wins the NSW Police Games Triathlon
1991 - Greg Welch OAM wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award
1991 - Clinton Barter wins the Gold Coast Robina Triathlon
1992 - Clinton Barter heads over seas and wins the International Vichy French
Triathlon
1992 - Clinton Barter wins the French Reims Triathlon defeating some of
Europe’s best
1992 - Clinton Barter wins the famous Clermont Ferrand Challenge French
Triathlon
1992 - Belinda Soszyn wins the New York Tower stair run in record time.
1992 - Clinton Barter wins the Limoges French Triathlon and caps off an amazing
International Season
1992 - Chris McCormack wins the Junior title at Lake Illawarra commencing his
career as a professional.
1992 - Paul Obrien wins the Australian National School Boy Championship
commencing his career as an elite triathlete.
1992 - Tim Ahern defends his Australian Ironman title and is the first Australian
over the line at the Australian Ironman Championship winning the Jim Hazel
Trophy in a time of 8hrs 33mins. He also sets a run record of 2.46.38 and this is
never equalled when combining Tim's other splits.
1992 - Peter Brunker finishes 2nd in the Sutherland to Surf 11k fun run
(Australia's second largest fun run at that time) in a time of 32.10 defeating
runners from the AIS.
1992 - Michael Maroney has a horrific crash while competing in the National Park
Triathlon. Wearing the standard singlet and scungies of the era, he blows a front
tyre descending at 70kph on Waterfall Hill and slides on the bitumen removing
30 percent of his skin on his back and legs. He is taken to hospital and he is
given special skin covers and medical treatment. Later he discharges himself and
goes to Northies hotel as he had not missed a Sunday evening triathlon season
celebration there for two years. Even though severely injured he continues to
train through it and continues his amazing form during this era.
1992 - Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon
1992 - Ian Ross wins the Gosford Central Coast Triathlon
1992 - Bob Telfer wins the World Ironman Age Title
1992 - Clinton Barter wins the Woy Woy Triathlon
1992 - Glenn Gorick and Peter Brunker combine to win the Luke Savage Two
Person Relay at Bundeena. Belinda Soszyn and Leonie McKenzie Hicks combine
to win the women’s
1992 - Michael Maroney wins the Nowra Triathlon
1992 - Greg Welch OAM comes 6th in the Hawaiian Ironman World
Championship in a time of 8.26.53
1992 - Warren Curtis and Lena Edmonson win the Bankstown Typhoon Triathlon
defeating a quality field of professionals. Mark Pringle was the Race Director
using his criterium style of race to advance triathlon into the modern era. Jason
Metters is now sneaking into the pointy end of races placing second.
1992 - Michellie Jones wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award
1993 - Greg Welch and Chris Lee race in a 3k track race at Sylvania Waters after
a day of training. Welchy clocks 8 mins 26 secs and Lee 8 mins 30 secs.
1993 - Cronulla won the inaugural Tri NSW Club Championship award.
1993 - Glenn Gorick wins the NSW Police Games Triathlon and Aquathon.
1993 - Ian Ross wins the Dapto Leagues Duathlon
1993 - Tony Unicomb wins the Batemans Bay Triathlon
1993 - Andrew Lloyd (5k Commonwealth Gold Medallist) now becoming a pest at
the Cronulla Triathlon club wins his 4th City to Surf in a time of 40.23.
1993 - Chris Southwell wins the Australian Ironman swim leg and sets a new
swim record of 45 mins 32 secs. This record stands for a decade. Glenn Gorick,
Tony Southwell and Michael Maroney also swam a 45 min time and all were in a
sprint finish for the line with 12 others, but Chris takes the crown and goes onto
to also finish in the 11th place overall in 8hrs 49mins. Some suggest the swim
may have been short or the currents helped, but the time is there and no one
can argue. The next swimmer after the lead group does not exit the water till
the 48 minute mark. The girls do well with Jodie Purcell 5th and Leonie McKenzie
Hicks 9th.
1993 - The Ritchie Walker Aquathon becomes a triathlon format at Kurnell and is
won by Greg Bennett, not a Cronulla Triathlon club member, but a regular visitor
and training in the area with Cronulla Tri club members.
1993 - Chris Southwell, Glenn Gorick, Jason Metters, Mark Pringle and Andrew
Hunter all perform well in various races in the Asia Pacific Region sponsored by
Carlton United (Fosters Beer) Chris wins Vanuatu 3 times and the Noumea Mont
Dore 1/2 Ironman with the others all placing in the top five during the seasons.
Southwell, Pringle, Gorick and Metters continue this tradition for many years
winning and placing well in the Asia Pacific races.
1993 - Belinda Soszyn wins the Sydney Tower Run Up. A brutal vertical stair
climb and Soz smashes the men too.
1993 - Jason Metters wins the Nepean Half Ironman, Ian Ross is second and
Glenn Gorick 7th. Jodie Purcell wins the women’s.
1993 - Rick Pallister wins the Crun Run Aquathon (combined with fun run) with
Glenn Gorick 2nd. Pallister starts the 1klm swim when the 10klm fun run gun
starts and still manages to run down all but two competitors in the 10klm fun
run held around South Cronulla.
1993 - Greg Welch OAM wins the World Duathlon Title
1993 - Belinda Soszyn and Leonie McKenzie Hicks win the Luke Savage Two
Person relay at Bundeena. Glenn Gorick and Greg Hoare come 2nd.
1993 - Michael Maroney, brother Sean, Sisters, Lindy, Karen and Suzie are the
first family to swim the English Channel which is also a world record.
1993 - Michellie Jones wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award
1994 - Greg WelchAOM wins the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship in 8hr
20mins and is the first non-American to do. It is on his six attempt. He dedicates
the win to Ritchie Walker. It is the fourth fastest time in the race history and still
the 6th fastest ever to date. 6 time winner 42 year old Dave Scott pushes him
all the way with only a minute separating them at the end.
1994 - Michellie Jones wins the World Olympic Distance title.
1994 - Ian Ross wins the Brooks Kurnell Triathlon and joins Michael Maroney as
an outright winner of these events.
1994 - Michael Maroney and Michelle Jones win the National Park Triathlon with
Ian Ross 2nd, Chris McCormack 3rd and Paul O’Brien 5th.
1994 - Glenn Gorick and Andrew Lloyd (1990 Commonwealth Games 5000M
Gold Medallist) combine to win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay at Bundeena.
Belinda Soszyn and Leonie McKenzie Hicks win the women’s for the third time.
1994 - Bob Southwell wins his age group in the Hawaiian Ironman
Championship. As well as setting a new world record at the age of 65, he also
defeats 1/3 of the field and many are a 1/3 of his age.
1994 - Ian Ross wins the Spokesman Triathlon in Canberra again
1994 - Ian Ross wins the Veta Health Half Ironman in Canberra
1994 - Andrew Lloyd wins his 15th Sutherland to Surf sponsored by Carmen’s
Nightclub with a bar tab where he shouts his Triathlon club mates to a big night.
1994 - The Cronulla Triathlon men smack the field at the Australian Ironman
with Tim Ahern, Steve Cunningham, Chris Southwell and Glenn Gorick all
returning 8hr times. They are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th Australians in the
International Field. Leonie McKenzie Hicks finishes in 10th in the girls.
1994 - Ian Ross ventures overseas and wins the Genkai International Half
Ironman in Japan
1994 - Michael Maroney is run over by a car at Kurnell during a training ride. He
sustains serious neck injuries and he is placed in a critical condition at hospital.
The driver is arrested and admits to being part of a group of people who were
throwing eggs at Michael and lost control of the car. Michael misses out on
selection to the Toohey's Blue Professional Triathlon Series and it takes many
years for him to recover. His Ironman aspirations are destroyed, but he recovers
and battles on to return to the professional ranks of triathlon a few years later.
1994 - Belinda Soszyn wins the New York Empire Tower Run Up.
1994 - Four Cronulla Triathletes and a few others, decided that after a day of
racing and a few to many beers at Northies, that they attempt to set a Pie eating
record. Attempts are made every Sunday night for many months. Rick Pallister,
John Southwell, Michael Maroney and Glenn Gorick who love to combine fun with
their triathlon endeavours, all test the metal setting the benchmark with Pallister
winning after eating 10 meat pies. Pallister then washes the pies down with a
Mars Bar Ice-cream stating "That should put an end to that". Maroney comes
back week after week along with Gorick and Southwell and a few others, for
numerous attempts during the next 12 months, but it's not until 1995 that
Maroney finally cracks 11 pies while wearing a neck brace from his accident.
Somewhere along the way a Garlic Sausage and litre of Dairy Custard also came
into the mix. The record still stands for those who wish to attempt it.
1994 - Ian Ross wins the Opera House Biathlon
1994 - Greg Welch OAM wins the Leader Sport Star of the year award.
1995 - Michellie Jones successfully defends her status as World Champion and
wins her second World Olympic Distance Title.
1995 - Ian Ross wins the King of the Mountain Ultra 32klm fun run in Nowra
defeating Commonwealth Gold Medallist Andrew Lloyd who had led the race until
the final 1km and then collapsed in front of the crowd in the main street of
Kangaroo Valley from an alcoholic binge the night before and meeting Cronulla
Triathlon Clubs Sue Thompson. Sue later married Andrew
1995 - Paul Obrien wins the Ritchie Walker Triathlon at Kurnell.
1995 - Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon as he overcomes his
injuries from his car accident.
1995 - Ian Ross wins the Salamander Bay Duathlon
1995 - Greg Welch OAM comes 4th in the Hawaiian Ironman World
Championships in a time of 8.29.14
1995 - Belinda Soszyn and Leonie McKenzie Hicks win the Luke Savage Two
Person Relay at Bundeena for an unprecedented 4th time. Glen Gorick and
Wayne Larden are 2nd in the mens.
1995 - Jason Metters wins the Five Star Sports Mark and Lisa Pringle organised
Aquathon at South Cronulla in a sprint finish with Andrew Douglas, Ian Ross and
Glenn Gorick.
1995 - Aileen Southwell loses a hard fought battle with cancer. She is an integral
part of triathlon as a writer, mother and friend to many. She is the much-loved
wife of Bob, mother of Paul, John, Tony, Chris and Steven and mother of her
adopted sons, Greg Welch OAM, Brad Bevan, Andrew "Spots" Royal, Glenn
Gorick, Gary Cole, Steve Cunningham and Michael Maroney.
1995 - Greg Welch OAM, Jason Harper and Jason Metters all win selection to the
Toohey’s Blue Professional Triathlon Series.
1995 - Belinda Soszyn wins the Sydney Tower Run Up.
1996 - Snap Printing become the next Major sponsor of the Triathlon Club. The
Owner Alan Edmonson and his son Craig are accomplished members of the
Triathlon Club.
1996 - Bob, Paul, John, Tony, Chris and Steven Southwell race the Australian
Ironman at Forster.
1996 - Ian Ross wins the Jervis Bay Triathlon
1996 - Grant Webster wins the Callala Half Ironman.
1996 - Billy Stafford wins the World Ironman Age Group title
1996 - Rick Pallister (swim), Michael Maroney (cycle) and Glenn Gorick (run)
combine in an elite team to defeat an Australian Institute of Sport Team at the
Nowra NSW State Olympic Distance championships. Pallister swims 1.5k in just
over 16 mins, Maroney's outstanding cycle leg averaging over 50kph for 40k
gives an unbeatable lead of two minutes at the end of the cycle leg and Glenn
Gorick runs 33 mins for the 10 k to take home the trophy in an outstanding time
of 1hr 41 mins.
1996 - Ian Ross wins the Elouera Half Marathon road race defeating many
accomplished quality runners
1996 - Paul Obrien wins a MMM radio competition to compete against Brad
Bevan in a special race off in Darling Harbour. Obrien goes the whole race head
to head with Bevan who out sprints Obrien in the last 5 metres. Race Director
Damian Bray is so impressed, Obrien gets a contract to race in the Toohey’s Blue
Series. Obrien goes on to winning big races over the next few years.
1996 - Belinda Soszyn wins the Sydney Tower Run Up and breaks the record.
1996 - Belinda Soszyn wins the New York Empire State Building Run Up and sets
a record that last 8 years.
1996 - Ian Ross wins the King of the Mountain 32klm road race
1996 - Greg Welch OAM wins the World Long Course Triathlon title and is the
only person ever to win world titles in all four distances.
1996 - Jason Harper wins the Ritchie Walker Triathlon.
1996 - Greg Welch OAM comes 3rd in the Hawaiian Ironman World
Championship in a time of 8.18.57
1996 - Ian Ross wins both the Olympic and Sprint distance races at Callala
Beach
1996 - Jason Metters relocates to France and is signed to a Professional
Triathlon Team. Jason wins numerous races over the next ten years.
1996 - Ian Ross wins his second Kurnell Triathlon title
1996 - Cronulla Triathlon club features well again at the Australian Ironman
Championships. Chris Southwell 5th, Grant Webster 8th, Murray Richardson 9th
and Glenn Gorick 14th. The race is now attracting the biggest professional field
from around the world and the great Paula Newby-Fraser races winning the
women’s title defeating Professionals Wendy Ingram and Lyn Macallister.
1996 - Ian Ross wins the NSW Duathlon State Championship
1997 - Chris McCormack wins the World Olympic Distance Title.
1997 - Paul Obrien and Karly Wlken win the Ritchie Walker Triathlon.
1997 - Brad White wins the World Ironman Age Group Title
1997 - Belinda Soszyn wins the New York Empire Building Tower Run Up.
1997 - Ten years on since 1987 and starting at the Southwell family home, the
"Scungie run" a local run around the Caringbah, Woolooware and Cronulla areas
has become an annual iconic day on boxing day with 50 plus people running.
The run includes drinking the odd ale, swimming across bays, jumping off the
cliffs at Gunnamatta Point, swimming out to Shark Island to sing Christmas
Carols, visiting Paul Obrien’s Bottle Shop and then sprinting up the Kingsway to
buy $5 of McDonalds at Caringbah. The owner Grant Sellen also a well-known Tri
Club favourite always has the special $5 meals at the ready. As it progresses in
the years the run moves to Glenn McGrath Oval at Caringbah where a series of
400 metre races take place. Many World Champions test their abilities after
running 15ks, swimming 2ks, drinking beers, eating McDonalds and then eating
a Garlic Sausage and 1 litre of Dairy Custard prior to running the 400 metre
sprint. The fastest recorded time was Clinton Barter at 53 secs. Prior to Political
Correctness legend has it, that this outstanding run by Barter was alleged to
have occurred in the nude.
1997 - Grant Webster 8th and Tim Ahern 10th fly the flag for Cronulla Triathlon
club at the Australian Ironman Championships in a field that included, Peter
Reid, Jurgen Zack,Thomas Hellriegal, Chris Leigh, Jason Shortis, Igor Kojog and
Pauli Kiuri.
1997 - Ian Ross wins the King of the Mountain 32 km road race
1997 - Chris McCormack wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award
1997 - Belinda Soszyn and Natalie Mort win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay
at Bundeena
March 25, 1998 - The man who helped shape the Club and admired by all, John
Baker, collapses and passes away at the Wednesday night club run . A minutes
silence is held on the last Wednesday night club run every year at the clubhouse
followed by a BBQ to remember John.
1998 - Murray Richardson steps in as President after the passing of John Baker
and then is elected into the role.
1998 - Sean and Michael Maroney make it an all brother affair with Sean winning
and Michael placing second in the Callala Beach Half Ironman. It's the first
brother one two in Australia.
1998 - Michelle Beattie wins the World Long Course Age Group title
1998 - Sean Maroney wins the Sunrice St George Triterium. The club fills six of
the top ten places with Glenn Gorick 2nd, Tony Unicomb 4th, Paul O’Brien 7th
and Bob Telfer 8th
1998 - Chris McCormack wins the Australia Day Triathlon at Wanda Beach with
Sean Maroney 4th, Alex Reithmeier 5th, Chris Southwell 7th, and Glenn Gorick
9th. In the women's, Lena Edmonson wins with Jennie Erskine 5th and Dayna
Pollard 9th.
1998 - Belinda Soszyn and Natalie Mort win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay
at Bundeena
1998 - Chris McCormack and Melissa Ashton win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon
back in its old format.
1998 - Ian Ross wins the King of the Mountain 32klm road race
1998 - Will Carroll and Paul Obrien join the 8 hr Ironman club and both finish in
the top ten at the Australian Ironman Championships.
1998 - Ian Ross wins his 4th Kurnell Triathlon outright
1999 - Greg Welch AOM competes in the Hawaiian Ironman unknowingly with a
blood virus. He is leading the swim when he thinks he has an asthma attack and
stops to rest on a board as all but the majority of the field swim by. He then
continues on, not knowing he is actually having a heart attack. Working his way
through the field during the cycle, he starts the run leg midfield and runs himself
into the top ten. He stops on several occasions, again thinking it is asthma, but
is unknowingly having a number of heart attacks. He continues on and finishes
11th with the amazing splits of 54mins swim, 4hr 53 cycle, and a 2hr 46 run in
a total time of 8hr 40mins 50 secs. His run time is the third fastest in the field
and he finishes 11th. Greg was in the fittest form of his life as he prepared for
the Olympics, but had contracted a virus which made its way into his heart and
caused it to beat at up to 300 BPM. This was the end of his career as a
Triathlete, but he had nothing left to prove and had already set a bench mark
still unequalled in the world.
1999 - Glenn Gorick is the best placed Cronulla triathlon Club triathlete at the
Australian Ironman Championship in 14th place. The top 20 is littered with many
famous names such as Chippy Slater, Scott Balance, Jurgen Hauber, Peter
Vabrousk and Troy Fidler to name a few
1999 - Belinda Soszyn and Natalie Mort win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay
at Bundeena
2000 - Bronwyn Elford is elected as President
2000 - Grant Webster wins the Jim Hazel Trophy at the Australian Ironman
coming 2nd behind Norman Stadler of Germany in a time of 8hr 37.
2000 - Cronulla wins the inaugural Triathlon Australia award as the Australian
Triathlon Club of the Year.
2000 - Michellie Jones and Peter Robertson win the Sydney based ITU Olympic
Distance Triathlon on the planned Olympic course. They then become the first
two triathletes to win selection for the Sydney Olympics.
2000 - Michellie Jones wins Silver in the Sydney Olympics Triathlon in a sprint
finish only to learn in later years that the Gold Medallist has allegedly admitted
to the use of performance enhancing drugs.
2000 - Peter Robinson and Jennifer Erskine win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon
2000 - Belinda Soszyn and Natalie Mort win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay
at Bundeena
2001 - Cronulla has 5 out of the 11 members in the Australian Elite team at the
World Triathlon Championships
2001 - Peter Robinson wins the World Olympic Distance Title
2001 - Craig Alexander and Louise Mackenzie Hicks win the Ritchie Walker
Aquathon
2001 - Belinda Soszyn and Natalie Mort win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay
at Bundeena
2002 - Chris McCormack wins the Australian Ironman Marissa Robbins finishes
4th.
2002 - Glenn Gorick wins the Cronulla Ocean Festival Triathlon an Ocean swim,
Mountain bike and beach run event around the Cronulla and Wanda parklands.
2002 - Sean Maroney passes away tragically in Hawaii.
2002 - Donna Moore wins the World Ironman Age Group Title
2002 - Ben Harley wins the World Junior Olympic Distance title
2002 - Chris McCormack and Nerida Alexander win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon.
Thanks to John Wilken, a handful of triathletes are summoned to turn up after
the race is cancelled due to financial obligations. These triathlon club members,
the two winners, Brad White, Brad Grimson, John Wilken, Glenn Gorick, Tony
Unicomb and a few others race in the pouring rain to keep the tradition race
alive and race on their own on the old original course at Gunnamatta and South
Cronulla. The race is continued and reborn into a new era.
2002 - Gymea Tradies Club become a major sponsor of the Triathlon Club.
2003 - Melissa Ashton wins the Nepean Triathlon.
2003 - Glenn Gorick picks up the Ritchie Walker Aquathon as race director,
assisted by John Wilken and John Holt they hold a fabulous race at Wanda which
is won by Peter Robinson and Jennifer Erskine. The race doubles as the NSW
State Aquathon titles.
2003 - Peter Robertson wins the World Olympic distance title Queenstown NZ
2003 - Chris McCormack win's his 2nd Australian Ironman Marissa Robbins is 4th
2004 - Peter Robinson represents Australia at the Olympic Games Triathlon
2004 - Jason Scott Aitken, a proud club member and father of two is tragically
killed by a drunk driver while training at Helensburgh. He was a much loved and
generous man who helped countless Tri Club members and volunteered as a
marshal for numerous triathlons. Thousands attend his funeral at Engadine and
Steve Southwell commences a campaign called "Watch for Cyclists" to heighten
the awareness of the dangers of cycling in New South Wales. A fund raiser night
and auction is organised by the Cronulla Triathlon Club to secure a financial
benefit for his children. Ironman Australia donate an IMA spot for the 2005 race
and Glenn Gorick and (NRL Ref) Bill Harrigan host the night. Blair Williams wins
the IMA spot and makes a long awaited return to triathlon. Ironically Blair was
Jason's best mate. Triathlon NSW create a Trophy to acknowledge Jason
contributions to the sport as a volunteer.
2004 - Col Hood wins the inaugural Triathlon NSW Jason Aitken trophy for
services as a volunteer
2004 - Greg WelchAOM is awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to
Triathlon, Coaching and Commentating. This is the only AOM awarded to a
Professional Triathlete in Australia.
2004 - Chris McCormack win's his 3rd Australian Ironman
2004 - Michelle Beattie (Myers) Natalie Mort, Belinda Soszyn (all CTC) and
Teresa Rider (Brats) won the female division of TrailWalker breaking the
previous female record.
They were 5th outright. The record still stands.
2004 - With Glenn Gorick as race director the Ritchie Walker is moved back to
Gunnamatta and is run on a similar course to the present one. The race is alive
and well with 200 competitors and being won by Chris McCormack and Emma
Forward.
2005 - Dave Allen wins the Triathlon NSW Jason Aitken Trophy for service as a
volunteer
2005 - Cronulla juniors win State junior club of the year. Cronulla Members
break 90 entrant's at the Australian Ironman. Chris McCormack win's his 4th
Australian Ironman
2005 - Chris McCormack and Emma Forward win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon
2005 - Peter Robinson wins the World Olympic Distance title
2006 - Cronulla life member Michellie Jones wins Hawaiian Ironman and is the
first Australian woman to win Hawaii.
2006 - Chris McCormack wins his 5th Australian Ironman
2006 - Craig Alexander wins the 70.3 World 1/2 Ironman championships
2006 - Belinda Soszyn wins the World Long Course Age Group title
2006 - Chris McCormack and Emma Forward win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon
again.
2007 - Chris McCormack wins the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship with
Craig Alexander 2nd making the first Aussie one two
2007 - Chris McCormack wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award
2008 - Craig Alexander wins the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship
2008 - John Bennetts wins the World Olympic Age Group title
2008 - Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon for an amazing 6th
time
2008 - Craig Alexander wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award
2008 - Michael Maroney wins the NSW Sprint Championship as a veteran against
the younger more fancied triathletes. Michael sends a message to stamp his
ability on other athletes who consider themselves professionals that he is back
better than ever
2009 - International Actor and Triathlete Daniel Macpherson is inducted as the
Cronulla Triathlon Club Patron. Daniel grew up in Cronulla and competed in the
very early Kurnell Triathlons where he was discovered by a Talent Scout which
led him to Home and Away, The Bill, City Homicide and various Hosting roles on
Dancing with the Stars and The X Factor. A true Australian gentleman, Daniel
has been a large part of the Cronulla Triathlon Club Journey and more than
deserves to be "Cronulla Triathlon Club Patron"
2009 - Michael Maroney wins the NSW Sprint Championship at the final race of
2009 at Kurnell. He is 42, has five children and works full time. He has to start
in the last wave, almost an hour after the first wave. He has to complete the
race out at the front on his own and defeats many "full time" athletes half his
age and once again displays how talented he is as one of the most credentialed
and decorated triathletes in Australia.
2009 - Craig Alexander wins the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship and
makes the rare feat of two in a row which has only been achieved by a handful
of athletes over the last 30 years.
2009 - Belinda Soszyn wins the World Sprint Distance Triathlon and Aquathon
Age Group Titles
2009 - Cronulla Tri Club Juniors win the State Junior Series again
2009 - Cronulla Junior Triathlon Team are awarded the Leader Sports Star Junior
Team of the Year.
2009 - Craig Alexander wins the Leader Sport Star of the Year against a host of
World class sportspersons. Mick Maroney wins the Senior Sport Star.
2009 - Michael Maroney wins the World Age Group Sprint Triathlon and
Aquathon Title for the 40-44's
30 August 2009 - Mark Pringle the Cronulla Triathlon Club Foundation member
and Club Icon passes away after being involved in an incident while training in
Dubai. The club is devastated at the loss of its favourite son, mate and athlete. A
special memorial service is held at North Cronulla Beach where Marks ashes are
spread into the Pacific Ocean in the "Alley". Mark's Triathlon Career spans 30
years and he raced in over 350 events with approx 100 wins – in some weird
and wonderful places. He raced Hawaii on his 30th birthday and finished top 100
in 1989. An Elite athlete’s trophy is created in his honour to acknowledge
outstanding results by a Cronulla Triathlete. and Mark is the first recipient for
1984 and the trophy is now an annual award.
2010 - Gary Eykhof is elected as President
2010 - Michael Prince, wins his Age Group at the ITU World Championships in
Budapest, and was the fastest Age Grouper on the Planet !!! A well-earned Title
after coming in 2nd at the previous World Championships.
2010 - Chris McCormack becomes one of only a handful of Athletes to win the
gruelling Hawaii Ironman for the second occasion, in one of the closest finishes
of all time. Craig Alexander finishes 4th.
2010 - Michael Maroney wins the Huskisson Sprint Triathlon.
2010 - Chris McCormack wins the 2010 Leader Sport Star of the Year awards
against a world class field of nominees. It is the 3rd time he has won this award
and the 10th time a Cronulla Triathlon Club member has won it.
2011 - Michael Maroney wins another Kurnell Sprint race outright and takes out
the overall series.
2011 - Michael Maroney wins the Batemans Bay Sprint Triathlon
2011 - Chris Southwell at 45 years of age competes in the Port Macquarie
Ironman swimming with the leaders and then riding in 5th place for most of the
cycle. He finishes 12th outright and wins the Age Group only 2mins outside the
record in windy and difficult conditions. He like Michael Maroney is performing in
the elite levels of the sport, yet has a job and a family.
2011 - Cronulla win NSW Club Championships at Forster by 7 points defeating
Manly Warringah in 2nd and Hills in 3rd. Up to this event both clubs had won 6
Championships each.
2011 - Between 1982 and 2011 Michael Maroney has competed in 323 Triathlons
with 30 outright wins as a Professional
2011 - Between 1984 and 2011 Belinda Soszyn, like Michael Maroney, has had
an incredible career. She has competed in over 200 triathlons and decided to
stop counting at 200 so we would estimate the figure to be well over 300 by
now. She has won the outright women’s section of over 40 fun runs and
biathlons. She has won over 20 Australian Triathlon age group titles. In 2005 at
the last Ironman in Forster she smashed the 50-54 age record. It still stands
today and she went on to defend the age division again in 2006 at Port
Macquarie
She was the Australian Mountain Running Champion in 1996 and represented
Australia at the World Mountain Running Championships in 1994, 1995, 1996
and 1998. She finished on the podium in the Hawaiian Ironman at each of the
three times she raced there, a feat not completed by any other age group
member of the club. She won the World Long Course Championship for her age
division in 2006 and won the World Sprint Champs for her age division in 2009.
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