Triathlon Australia’s Tokyo Olympic hopeful Aaron Royle runs scared at second 70.3 half ironman
There was good reason Newcastle triathlete and Tokyo Olympic hopeful Aaron Royle was running scared in a half ironman race in Queensland on Sunday.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
He expected to “blow up” at any minute but instead Tokyo Olympic hopeful Aaron Royle ran off with a victory in only his second ever half ironman.
The Rio Olympian this year rushed home to Newcastle from his training base in the UK after the break out of the coronavirus before recently relocating to Queensland so he could train and race.
The decision paid dividends when he won only his second ever half ironman race on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
LISTEN: Most beautiful dressing room song ever?
OWEN WRIGHT: Master of positive waves
Royle beat local Max Neumann by less than a minute in the 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21km run test wuith veteran Josh Amberger third.
“To be honest I was pretty scared for most of that race,’’ he said.
“It’s only my second half distance race and the whole time I just expected myself to blow up.’’
It was a just reward for testing times in 2020.
“It’s been a tough year,’’ he said.
“The Olympics were supposed to go ahead and they were the main aim.
“Then 12 hours before the borders shut six weeks or so ago I made the mad dash to be in the state because that’s where I knew the races would be.’’