Maxwell, Luxford win Challenge Shepparton
Australians Levi Maxwell and Annabel Luxford took the $4,000 top prizes at the Challenge Shepparton half.
Maxwell earned his first pro title with a men’s 6th-best 25:35 swim, a
2nd-fastest 2:06:05 bike split, and a dominating 1:12:18 half marathon to finish in 3:46:43 with a 47 seconds margin of victory over Tim Van Berkel and 3:31 over 3rd place finisher Matt Slee on a 1-2-3 Aussie podium.
Luxford combined a women’s-best and 3rd overall (including the men) 24:55 swim split, women’s 2nd-fastest 2:20:56 bike split, and women’s 2nd-quickest 1:19:00 half marathon to finish in 4:07:55 with a 9:10 margin of victory over Grace Thek and 13:30 over Courtney Gilfillan in another 1-2-3 Australian podium.
Maxwell, who won two Ironman World Championship age group titles before turning pro, was ecstatic to achieve his first professional title. It was Maxwell’s triathlon day to remember on Australia’s Day of Remembrance for her soldiers lost in battle.
“Absolutely stoked to get my first win in a top series race,” Maxwell wrote on Facebook. “It's been two years of ups and downs, but today has given me confidence that I can do this. I may have crossed the line as champion today, but the reality is the title belongs to me, my sponsors and select few family and friends who have had my back from the start, and stuck by me through some dark times over the last two years. You know who you are and I love ya!”
Challenge Shepparton
Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
November 11, 2018
S 1.2 mi. / B 56 mi. / R 13.1 mi.
Results
Pro Men
1. Levi Maxwell (AUS) 3:46:43 S 25:35 T1 1:37 B 2:06:05 T2 1:06 R 1:12:18 – $4,000
2. Tim Van Berkel (AUS) 3:47:30 S 24:38 T1 1:45 B 2:06:43 T2 1:02 R 1:13:19 – $3,000
3. Matt Slee (AUS) 3:50:14 S 26:08 T1 2:02 B 2:05:10 T2 1:18 R 1:15:34 – $1,500
4. Lachlan Kerin (AUS) 3:51:19 S 26:07 T1 1:49 B 2:06:06 T2 1:25 R 1:15:50 – $1,000
5. James Davy (AUS) 3:57:27 S 24:36 T1 1:43 B 2:10:36 T2 1:18 R 1:19:11 – $500
Pro Women
1. Annabel Luxford (AUS) 4:07:55 S 24:55 T1 1:52 B 2:20:56 T2 1:10 R 1:19:00 – $4,000
2. Grace Thek (AUS) 4:17:05 S 26:05 T1 2:01 B 2:29:11 T2 1:05 R 1:18:42 – $3,000
3. Courtney Gilfillan (AUS) 4:21:25 S 27:17 T1 2:03 B 2:27:21 T2 1:19 R 1:23:23 – $1,500
4. Amanda Wilson (AUS) 4:24:28 S 29:37 T1 2:20 B 2:29:31 T2 00:58 R 1:21:59 – $1,000
5. Renee Kiley (AUS) 4:27:46 S 29:34 T1 2:22 B 2:20:15 T2 1:33 R 1:34:01 – $500
