History of Winners

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 – 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  – The Tri Marathon race was held again and sponsored by Stewart Toyota a large dealership in our area. The event was renamed the “Sydney Tri-Marathon”. 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 Welch AOM 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.

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.

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.

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.

Mark Pringle ventures to America and wins the Big Bear Series in California.

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.

Michael Maroney wins the junior section of the National Park Triathlon and is crowned NSW Junior State Champion.

Michael Maroney wins the Macquarie Towns Triathlon

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.

Tony Southwell wins the Gosford, Coffs Harbour and Grafton Quadrathons. These were a swim, ski paddle, cycle and run event.

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.

Michael Maroney wins the National Park Triathlon

Tony Southwell defends his title and wins the Gosford Quadrathon.

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.

Tony Southwell places 7th overall in the Australia Olympic Distance Championships at Frankston Victoria. He becomes our first “top ten” Australian National Champion

Tony Unicomb wins the Sydney Adventist Church Triathlon at Berowra Waters

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.

Michael Maroney is crowned the NSW State Triathlete of the year for 1985/86 season.

The Annual Boxing Day Scungie Run is commenced from the Southwell Family Home in Caringbah.

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.

Tony Southwell wins the Coffs Harbour Quadrathon

Tony Unicomb wins the Central Coast Triathlon

Michael Maroney wins the Bundeena Triathlon

Greg WelchAOM places third in the Great Lakes Triathlon (Australian Ironman Championship). Bob Telfer, another Cronulla and Billies Bushies legend is 2nd.

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.

John Baker is elected as President

The Tynan Motor Group become a major sponsor of the Triathlon Club

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.

The Club Secures Greg Ball Holden as its next Major Sponsor. Greg Ball is also an accomplished member of the club.

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.

Mark Pringle beats a quality field to win the OOO Biathlon held at South Cronulla Beach. He is a Cronulla Lifeguard at the time.

Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon

Greg WelchAOM wins the Nepean Triathlon.

Clinton Barter wins the South West Rocks Trial Bay Triathlon.

Michael Maroney wins the Bundeena Triathlon

Tony Unicomb comes 9th in the Australian Ironman Championship.

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.

Michael Maroney and Rick Pallister combine to win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay at Bundeena defeating numerous notable runners

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”.

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.

Michael Maroney wins the Elouera 1/2 Marathon defeating a quality team of track and road running athletes.

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!

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.

Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach triathlon; Rick Pallister has a mechanical failure on his bike. John Southwell finishes 7th and Glenn Gorick 8th.

Michael Maroney wins the Nowra Triathlon

Michael Maroney wins the Canberra Capital Triathlon.

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.

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.

Lena Edmonson comes first, Belinda Soszyn and Clair Turner 3rd in the Sydney Biathlon

Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon

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.

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.

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.

Rick Pallister finishes 2nd and Glenn Gorick finishes 5th in the 2DayFM Biathlon in Sydney Harbour

Greg Welch OAM comes 5th in the World Ironman Championship in a time of 8.46.07

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.

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.

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.

Greg Welch AOM wins the Lake Illawarra Triathlon.

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.​

Greg Welch OAM wins the Coke a Cola Coogee Winter Biathlon

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.

Glenn Gorick and Warren Curtis combine to win the Luke Savage Two Person relay at Bundeena.

Ian Ross wins the Spokesman Triathlon in Canberra with Glenn Gorick 4th and Jason Metters 5th.

Clinton Barter wins the Woy Woy Biathlon

Greg Welch OAM wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award

Clinton Barter wins the Dubbo Triathlon

Tony Unicomb wins the Merimbula Triathlon

Greg Welch AOM and Michellie Jones both win the Australian Sprint Championships held at Bundeena

Greg Welch AOM places 2nd in the Hawaiian Ironman behind Mark Allen in a time of 8. 24. 32.

Michael Maroney wins his third Bundeena Triathlon

Ian Ross wins the Kempsey Triathlon

Tony Unicomb wins the Orange Triathlon

Michael Maroney wins the Canberra Sprint Triathlon against a class field including Luke Gratten and Adam Joyce

Glenn Gorick wins the Qantas Club Duathlon

Ian Ross wins the North Cronulla Aquathon

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.

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.

Clinton Barter wins the Deakin Health Spa Triathlon in Canberra

Clinton Barter wins the Woy Woy Biathlon

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.

Rick Pallister and Kim Tunnell win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon.

Clinton Barter wins the Balranald Triathlon

Clinton Barter wins the Lake Macquarie Triathlon

Tony Unicomb wins the NSW Police Games Triathlon

Greg Welch OAM wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award

Clinton Barter wins the Gold Coast Robina Triathlon

 Clinton Barter heads over seas and wins the International Vichy French Triathlon

Clinton Barter wins the French Reims Triathlon defeating some of Europe’s best

Clinton Barter wins the famous Clermont Ferrand Challenge French Triathlon

Belinda Soszyn wins the New York Tower stair run in record time.

Clinton Barter wins the Limoges French Triathlon and caps off an amazing International Season

Chris McCormack wins the Junior title at Lake Illawarra commencing his career as a professional.

Paul Obrien wins the Australian National School Boy Championship commencing his career as an elite triathlete.

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.

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.

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.

Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon

Ian Ross wins the Gosford Central Coast Triathlon

Bob Telfer wins the World Ironman Age Title

Clinton Barter wins the Woy Woy Triathlon

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

Michael Maroney wins the Nowra Triathlon

Greg Welch OAM comes 6th  in the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship in a time of 8.26.53

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.

Michellie Jones wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award

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.

Cronulla won the inaugural Tri NSW Club Championship award.

Glenn Gorick wins the NSW Police Games Triathlon and Aquathon.

Ian Ross wins the Dapto Leagues Duathlon

Tony Unicomb wins the Batemans Bay Triathlon

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.

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.

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.

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.

Belinda Soszyn wins the Sydney Tower Run Up. A brutal vertical stair climb and Soz smashes the men too.

Jason Metters wins the Nepean Half Ironman, Ian Ross is second and Glenn Gorick 7th. Jodie Purcell wins the women’s.

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.

Greg Welch OAM wins the World Duathlon Title

Belinda Soszyn and Leonie McKenzie Hicks win the Luke Savage Two Person relay at Bundeena. Glenn Gorick and Greg Hoare come 2nd.

Michael Maroney, brother Sean, Sisters, Lindy, Karen and Suzie are the first family to swim the English Channel which is also a world record.

Michellie Jones wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award

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.

Michellie Jones wins the World Olympic Distance title.

Ian Ross wins the Brooks Kurnell Triathlon and joins Michael Maroney as an outright winner of these events.

Michael Maroney and Michelle Jones win the National Park Triathlon with Ian Ross 2nd, Chris McCormack 3rd and Paul O’Brien 5th.

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.

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.

Ian Ross wins the Spokesman Triathlon in Canberra again

Ian Ross wins the Veta Health Half Ironman in Canberra

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.

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.

Ian Ross ventures overseas and wins the Genkai International Half Ironman in Japan

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.

Belinda Soszyn wins the New York Empire Tower Run Up.

 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.

Ian Ross wins the Opera House Biathlon

Greg Welch OAM wins the Leader Sport Star of the year award.

Michellie Jones successfully defends her status as World Champion and wins her second World Olympic Distance Title.

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

Paul Obrien wins the Ritchie Walker Triathlon at Kurnell.

Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon as he overcomes his injuries from his car accident.

Ian Ross wins the Salamander Bay Duathlon

Greg Welch OAM comes 4th in the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships in a time of 8.29.14

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.

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.

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.

Greg Welch OAM, Jason Harper and Jason Metters all win selection to the Toohey’s Blue Professional Triathlon Series.

Belinda Soszyn wins the Sydney Tower Run Up.

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.

Bob, Paul, John, Tony, Chris and Steven Southwell race the Australian Ironman at Forster.

Ian Ross wins the Jervis Bay Triathlon

Grant Webster wins the Callala Half Ironman.

Billy Stafford wins the World Ironman Age Group title

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.

Ian Ross wins the Elouera Half Marathon road race defeating many accomplished quality runners

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.

Belinda Soszyn wins the Sydney Tower Run Up and breaks the record.

Belinda Soszyn wins the New York Empire State Building Run Up and sets a record that last 8 years.

Ian Ross wins the King of the Mountain 32klm road race

Greg Welch OAM wins the World Long Course Triathlon title and is the only person ever to win world titles in all four distances.

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

Ian Ross wins both the Olympic and Sprint distance races at Callala Beach

Jason Metters relocates to France and is signed to a Professional Triathlon Team. Jason wins numerous races over the next ten years.

Ian Ross wins his second Kurnell Triathlon title

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.

Ian Ross wins the NSW Duathlon State Championship

Chris McCormack wins the World Olympic Distance Title.

Paul Obrien and Karly Wlken  win the Ritchie Walker Triathlon.

Brad White wins the World Ironman Age Group Title

Belinda Soszyn wins the New York Empire Building Tower Run Up.

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.

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.

Ian Ross wins the King of the Mountain 32 km road race

Chris McCormack wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award

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.

Murray Richardson steps in as President after the passing of John Baker and then is elected into the role.

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.

Michelle Beattie wins the World Long Course Age Group title

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

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.

Belinda Soszyn and Natalie Mort win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay at Bundeena

Chris McCormack and Melissa Ashton win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon back in its old format.

Ian Ross wins the King of the Mountain 32klm road race

Will Carroll and Paul Obrien join the 8 hr Ironman club and both finish in the top ten at the Australian Ironman Championships.

Ian Ross wins his 4th Kurnell Triathlon outright

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.

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

Belinda Soszyn and Natalie Mort win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay at Bundeena

Bronwyn Elford is elected as President

Grant Webster wins the Jim Hazel Trophy at the Australian Ironman coming 2nd behind Norman Stadler of Germany in a time of 8hr 37.

Cronulla wins the inaugural Triathlon Australia award as the Australian Triathlon Club of the Year.

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.

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.

Peter Robinson and Jennifer Erskine win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon

Belinda Soszyn and Natalie Mort win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay at Bundeena

Cronulla has 5 out of the 11 members in the Australian Elite team at the World Triathlon Championships

Peter Robinson wins the World Olympic Distance Title

Craig Alexander and Louise Mackenzie Hicks win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon

Belinda Soszyn and Natalie Mort win the Luke Savage Two Person Relay at Bundeena

Chris McCormack wins the Australian Ironman Marissa Robbins finishes 4th.

Glenn Gorick wins the Cronulla Ocean Festival Triathlon an Ocean swim, Mountain bike and beach run event around the Cronulla and Wanda parklands.

Sean Maroney passes away tragically in Hawaii.

Donna Moore wins the World Ironman Age Group Title

Ben Harley wins the World Junior Olympic Distance title

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.

Gymea Tradies Club become a major sponsor of the Triathlon Club.

Melissa Ashton wins the Nepean Triathlon.

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.

Peter Robertson wins the World Olympic distance title Queenstown NZ

Chris McCormack win’s his 2nd Australian Ironman Marissa Robbins is 4th

Peter Robinson represents Australia at the Olympic Games Triathlon

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.

Col Hood wins the inaugural Triathlon NSW Jason Aitken trophy for services as a volunteer

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.

Chris McCormack win’s his 3rd Australian Ironman

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.

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.

Dave Allen wins the Triathlon NSW Jason Aitken Trophy for service as a volunteer

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

Chris McCormack and Emma Forward win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon

Peter Robinson wins the World Olympic Distance title

Cronulla life member Michellie Jones wins Hawaiian Ironman and is the first Australian woman to win Hawaii.

Chris McCormack wins his 5th Australian Ironman

Craig Alexander wins the 70.3 World 1/2 Ironman championships

Belinda Soszyn wins the World Long Course Age Group title

Chris McCormack and Emma Forward win the Ritchie Walker Aquathon again.

Chris McCormack wins the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship with Craig Alexander 2nd making the first Aussie one two

Chris McCormack wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award

Craig Alexander wins the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship

John Bennetts wins the World Olympic Age Group title

Michael Maroney wins the Callala Beach Triathlon for an amazing 6th time

Craig Alexander wins the Leader Sports Star of the Year Award

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

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”

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.

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.

Belinda Soszyn wins the World Sprint Distance Triathlon and Aquathon Age Group Titles

Cronulla Tri Club Juniors win the State Junior Series again

Cronulla Junior Triathlon Team are awarded the Leader Sports Star Junior Team of the Year.

Craig Alexander wins the Leader Sport Star of the Year against a host of World class sportspersons. Mick Maroney wins the Senior Sport Star.

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.

Gary Eykhof is elected as President

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.

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.

Michael Maroney wins the Huskisson Sprint Triathlon.

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.

Michael Maroney wins another Kurnell Sprint race outright and takes out the overall series.

Michael Maroney wins the Batemans Bay Sprint Triathlon

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.

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.

Between 1982 and 2011 Michael Maroney has competed in 323 Triathlons with 30 outright wins as a Professional​

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.