TRIATHLON

Mark Richardson or 'Rigor' lines up in Auckland Triathlon

By Triathlon NZ

Right now television and radio personality and former Black Cap Mark Richardson is concentrating on his swing, while playing as an amateur at the NZ Golf Open in Arrowtown, but in the back of his mind is swim, bike and run as he contemplates lining up in the age group event at the Barfoot & Thompson World Triathlon Auckland event on March 29.

Richardson, or ‘Rigor’ as he is affectionately known, will line up on March 29 alongside other weekend warrior New Zealand triathletes, some serious and some social, with his sights set on earning a place on the New Zealand age group team to the ITU World Champs in Chicago in September.

The standard distance Sovereign National Champs race is one of many on offer on the Sunday morning to everyday New Zealanders wishing to be a part of a weekend of triathlon that will include the best in the world racing around the Auckland waterfront in the World Series event later that afternoon.

Also on offer (with entries open at www.triauckland.co.nz) are a swim/run (on the Saturday afternoon), super sprint (300m swim, 10km bike, 2km run/walk), sprint (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run/jog), corporate team tri (over the sprint distance with corporate village area) and a 5km fun run/jog/walk event. Essentially there is something for everyone.

Richardson may be a busy man with his commitments to his Radio Sport Breakfast Show, Crowd Goes Wild TV show and current Cricket World Cup commentary duties but he has fallen in love with triathlon and is always looking for training opportunities.

“It has been a struggle to be honest, I did the half Taupo Half and Auckland 70.3, both went alright, I broke 5 hours which was the goal so that was alright, my fitness was pretty good. Straight after that the cricket hit and then the World Cup so I have just tried to maintain that fitness and add a little bit of speed. I have been doing an hour a day tops, but making it quality as possible. Probably the swimming is the thing I have had to let go, I could train my arse off in the pool for no real gain so I have focused on the riding and running.”

Rigor says the ‘out of a suitcase’ lifestyle does not help the swimming either, with bike or run the easiest option.

“Living out of hotel rooms it is easy to get out and run, I can get on a spin bike in the gym for 40 minutes, and then run for half an hour so I have tried to keep the quality high, I have taken my Specialized with me when I can but if not, I spin and then go on a good hard run. I probably haven’t lost anything but haven’t moved forward.”

Richardson says he has not convinced any of his work colleagues to join him during any of that hard work.

“The commentary box boys are all impressed I am doing this, but buggered if they are getting off their arses to join it, I’m trying to get Andrew (Mulligan) to do it, he never will. I have one mate who is keen but he is a physical trainer anyway. I think with the cricket commentary guys, they all think I am through a mid-life crisis anyway.”

Richardson says regardless of his distractions, he will empty the tank at the Sovereign National Champs and World Champs qualifying event on March 29.

“I will give qualifying a bloody good show, I know when I hit the line I will have done as much as I can, knowing it is not as much as those who can train a bit more but that is all I can do, give it my all.”

Event Director Dave Beeche from Lagardere Oceania Unlimited, says Richardson is a reflection of so many New Zealanders who juggle busy lives and their passion for triathlon.

“Mark is no different to so many who love this sport, he just happens to have a slightly higher profile than most of us! What he is doing is typical of so many Kiwis though, balancing family, work and life generally as they find time to do some training and achieve their objectives or chase their dreams.

“That for some will mean a place on the New Zealand age group team to the World Champs, but for so many others it is the finish line, it is taking part with friends or work colleagues, or it may just be walking our 5km fun run/jog event.

“Whatever the target, this is an event that New Zealand and Auckland can be proud of, it is an event we want people to engage in and participate in, whether that is as a competitor in any of our all-comer events, as a volunteer or as a supporter/spectator on race day on the Sunday.”








Entries are open for all events, the challenge is there for all who love the sport or would like to give the sport a go, from the fun run, to the swim/run or to one of the triathlon events on offer from the very short to the Olympic distance. Visit www.triauckland.co.nz for details.