CANADIAN Jeff Symonds thanked his training partners in Bendigo after he powered to victory in the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championships in Melbourne.
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Symonds claimed one of his biggest wins of his career on Sunday after spending several months in Bendigo preparing for the major event.
He trained alongside some of the region's most talented athletes, including champion athlete Leon Griffin, a previous winner of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Advertiser-Prime 7 Sports Star of the Year award.
Symonds finished the 3.9km swim in a time of 49.40 before finishing the 180.2km bike leg in 4:27:30.
Requiring a special effort in the 42.2km run leg, as he was sitting in 11th place, Symonds stormed home to take the crown.
Symonds and Australian Tim Van Berkel passed the German race leader Nils Frommhold with about 11km to go in the race.
Then the Canadian left Van Berkel in his wake, holding on to win the title.
His split time of 2:44:14 was the fastest run of the day.
After the race he praised and thanked his training friends in Bendigo for their help and support.
He also encouraged youngsters to pick up the sport.
"For all the youngsters watching, I grew up in an Ironman town and I watched and dreamed," he said.
"I challenge all youngsters watching here to dream big.
"Anyone can do this, you just need to go hard."
Of the Bendigo contingent that competed, David Meade was the best-placed athlete.
Meade finished in 53rd place overall, but was ranked first in the 45-49 age division.
He finished the race in a time of 9:12:39.
Meade is a multiple winner of the Bendigo Triathlon Club Championship and is now working with talented athletes in the Athlete Development Program at Bendigo South East Secondary College.
Jarrod Epps was the next best Bendigo Triathlon Club member.
He finished the race in a time of 9.28.47.
Nathan Meade, was ninth in his 25-29 age division.
He finished his race in a time of 9.35.40.
Other results Bendigo triathletes results included: Jarrod Draper 9.39.59, John Flood 9.45.38, Reagan Stroud 9.57.11, Todd Cody 10.00.22, Brendan Jennings 10.22.53, Russ Weekley 10.56.57, Ben McDermid 11.02.42, Roy Preece 11.09.29, Cam Ladd 11.46.53 and Damian Hughes 11.53.21.
