Competing and winning a triathlon is no mean feat, but Zac Cunningham has done just that, becoming the State Champion for the age group 30 – 34 and competing at the standard distance triathlon at Robina triathlon with a time of 2 hours and 9 minutes.
Having played many sports growing up, such as rugby league at the Beaudesert Kingfishers, Zac had an opportunity to try something completely different a few years ago.
“My wife Susie needed a swimmer for their triathlon team at the Noosa Tri and she asked me if I would be interested to join them”, he said.
“I had never been a swimmer so I thought I would just give it a go and I went alright. Over time, I just went to the next level and the next distance. I’ve been loving it ever since”.
For Zac, running triathlons is a hobby and he does it for the enjoyment, so winning the State Championship was just icing on the cake.
“I certainly didn’t go into the triathlon to win, but it is nice to get recognition for all my training and hard work”, he said.
Just as important as the training and hard work leading up to 1500 metre swim, 40 kilometre bike ride and 10 kilometre run, is the support network Zac has around him.
“Even though I am out there by myself during the triathlon, I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of my wife Susie, my coach Dan McTainsh and Aaron Collis and the guys I go riding with”, he said.
Zac is now preparing for his next triathlon – the uninviting sounding “Hell of the West” at Goondiwindi, which consists of a 2 kilometre swim up the McIntyre River, 80 kilometre bike ride and 20 kilometre run.
“The Hell of the West is my favourite race of the year because it is such a fun and unique race.”
“I am looking forward to beating my past times at Goondiwindi,” he said.
The Hell of the West takes place on 2 and 3 April 2022.
