The Armidale Triathlon Club held a special tribute race on Sunday morning, in memory of late club member, Sarah Heagney, who was tragically killed in a car crash just over three weeks ago.

Held at The Armidale School, the long course saw the Armidale athletes tackle a 400m swim (16 laps of the pool), a 20km cycling leg east along Long Swamp Road and back, and a 4km running leg around the large city block occupied by the school.
The tribute triathlon began
with a minute’s clapping from the racers of all ages, during their pre-race briefing.
The long course winner was Armidale’s Mick Hault, with a time of 56:16. Second place went to Murray Scown, clocking 57:44.
Fellow local, 18-year-old Gillian Backhouse was the first female past the post and third overall, with a time of 58:49.
The biggest physical challenge was a strong headwind that reduced times as the competitors made their way back into The Armidale School.
Mentally, the triathlon represented an athletic mourning process. Sarah Heagney was a popular and
promising member of the
Club. The reason why they were sweating it out was never far from their minds.
“I dedicate this win to the memory of Sarah Heagney,” Mick Hault said.
Gillian Backhouse was a close friend of Sarah Heagney. She said that Sarah had been competing at State level and was a dedicated young sportswoman.
The triathlon was considered by the local athletes to be a fitting way to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Sarah Heagney.
Veteran sportsman and spokesperson for the Armidale Triathlon Club, Dave Robins, was emotional as he reflected on the promising young life that was taken so tragically on the Waterfall Way, near Dorrigo. “Sarah’s death has been deeply felt by me and the other members of The Armidale Triathlon Club,” he said.
In another blow to the Heagney family, Sarah’s 47-year-old father, Neil, passed away
suddenly last Thursday (February 11).  A funeral service was held on Tuesday (February 16) at St Mary of the Angels Catholic
Church in Guyra, followed by interment in the Guyra Lawn Cemetery,
beside Sarah.

Story: Gary Fry