A new take on the RAT race in duathlon championship | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Rotorua's RATS club once again reigned supreme in Saturday's North Island Duathlon Championships based at the Waipa Mountainbike carpark.

RATS had the lowest points at the end of the day meaning they had successfully defended the championship shield (61 points), followed by North Harbour (82 points) and 121 points racked up by Triathlon Tauranga gave them third. In the individual standings, world age group silver medallist and commonwealth games mountainbiking representative Sonia Hill (nee Foote) gave her a commanding win in the open womens' category. Completing the course in a time of 1hr 19min, Hill - representing RATS - was more than two minutes clear of her closest rival, Roz Reckie-May in second (1:21:41).

The event provided Hill and the 132-strong field a useful early-season hit out after the winter. "I am finally starting to feel good. I have just started racing and I'm slowly building up for the Xterra World Champs in Maui later this year," Hill explained. The championships - consisting of a 4.5km offroad run, a 28km road ride, followed by a 3km offroad run - are a personal favourite for Hill. "It's an awesome race to use as a milestone. Because I have done it every year, you can sort of gauge how good you are feeling. Coming out of the winter, noone really has a snap," Hill said. "My racing today felt better [than previous years] which is pleasing. It felt like a more even effort."

The honour of the first male home went to Auckland triathlon specialist, Tristan Calwell completing the course in 1:07:04, followed by second-placed Scott Thorne (1:07:22) and Jeremy Smart (1:07:36) in third place. While the 31-year-old's performance went well, Calwell confessed to having an alterior motive. "The event is really a stepping stone for me. Obviously, the triathlon season is my main goal. I am using this to prepare for the Contact Energy Cup starting in November."

Carrying the hopes of the local males across the line was physiotherapist Paul Westwood (1:08:37), placing fourth overall in the mens' event. Westwood, part of the 30-strong RATS contingent, found the race rather challenging. "It was really hard. It's the first event coming out of winter really, so we are never really that fit. It's always quite a fast race, as well." While he confessed to "blowing a bit" during the race, Westwood sees the championships as a great chance to catch up with mates from around the country. "It's just great seeing all the competitors from the North Island." Ray Docherty, father of Olympic triathlon silver medallist Bevan Docherty, was too good for the Super Vets field winning in a time of 1:23:57.