2013 Gulf Western Oil Nepean Triathlon offering over $70,000 Prize Money

The 2013 Gulf Western Oil Nepean, the oldest race in the country, is offering over $70,000 prize money to attract Australian and international stars to Penrith. The 32^nd anniversary race to be held on 27 October at the Sydney International Regatta Centre features a 1km swim along the Olympic rowing course, a 30km cycle followed by a 10km run around the Olympic lake. “The race will offer a limited number of professional places to the best triathletes in the country to entice a great field up front and with new race sponsor Gulf Western Oil teaming up with Cellarbrations Independent Liquor Stores, the race has been able to provide the prize money to attract the best to the west” said long term race organiser, Warwick Brennan.

Race director, Gordon Bell added “As well as providing record prize money for the top male and female finishers in the race, prize money has also been allocated to the first male and female swimmer through the swim timing gate, the leading male and female onto the run course after the cycle leg and at the half way mark during the run and well as prize money for the 19 and under category. The junior category was suggested by former professional triathlete Trent Chapman as it allows a gateway into the professional ranks for our next generation of triathlon stars. The juniors also have the opportunity to race for the open prize money if they finish in the top five overall.   Being held the week before Queensland’s Noosa Triathlon, the race offers a unique opportunity for all the professional triathletes to race a professional circuit” Bell added.

With 1000 triathletes converging on Penrith for the race, the Gulf Western Oil Nepean is an opportunity for age group competitors to be in the same race as the sports’ stars which also features a unique guys verses girls handicap. The male professional wave starts behind the female professional wave by the average difference between the two over the past races. Last year, the handicap came down to a exciting photo finish between Australian Olympian Courtney Atkinson and The Netherlands Olympian Rachel Klamer with Atkinson taking the handicap with the difference between the two only picked up by the computer chip timing as both hit the finish line.

The race traditionally   attracts a great age group field with all finishers in 2012 receiving a unique finisher’s medallion, race shirt and race towel to commemorate the event and Brooks race shoes for the winners of each of the 5 year age groups.

Breakdown of total prize money “Gulf Western Oil Nepean Triathlon:

1^st Male and Female – $14,000

2^nd Male and Female – $8,000

3^rd Male and Female – $4,000

4^th Male and Female – $2,000

5^th Male and Female – $1,000

Outright Handicap bonus – $2,000

Swim Prime Male and Female $1,000

Bike Prime Male and Female – $1,000

5km Run Prime Male and Female $1,000

Junior Category

1^st Male and Female 19 and Under – $1,500

2^nd Male and Female 19 and Under – $1,000

3^rd Male and Female 19 and Under – $500