Meet Chloe McLennan - 2020 Race Pace WYN republic Junior High Performance Squad

Photo: @pmclennan1

Age:

17

What got you into triathlon:

I was originally a cross country runner, however I loved getting in the pool and riding. My mum had competed in triathlon before and said it would be fun to try, and since my first tri I have enjoyed it so much.

 My Favourite Discipline:

My favourite discipline is definitely my bike, whilst run is my strongest leg. I have always loved being on my toes and the adrenaline that I get when taking the turns or hammering down a straight.

 Most Improved discipline:

My most improved discipline I feel would be my bike. When I first started, I was always getting dropped and I was simply not up to the standards of the girls I was racing, since then I have continued to work hard at my bike.

Favourite Food:

Hash browns and coconut water

Best Result:

My best result would be becoming a dual world champion in the u20 age category and becoming the Australian sprint champion in u20

What I like about triathlon:

I love the feeling of being on the line ready to give it my all, and the feeling I get when I am pushing myself to my limits. I also love the places it takes me

Goals for the next season:

1: Improving my swim and becoming a better all-round triathlete

2: Working on learning new skills and keeping a consistent training routine to maintain as injury free as possible

Meet Alexa Leary - 2020 Race Pace WYN republic Junior High Performance Squad

Age:

18

What got you into triathlon?

 Originally, I started out just cycling with my parents as my dad was an ex cyclist. We then soon discovered I could swim which then lead me to winning 4 gold medals at Nationals in 2015. Growing up in a small town in Yamba, triathlon was big which made me become very involved in the sport. I then found a huge love, passion and interest for triathlon.

Favourite Discipline?

My favourite discipline has always been the swim as it is my strongest leg and I enjoy being in the water and love starting off the race was a big slash.

Most improved discipline?

My most improved discipline would definitely be the run leg. My times and endurance have really improved over the last couple of years and I’m excited to see more improvement in the coming years.

Favourite food?

My favourite food would definitely be chocolate and spaghetti.

Best results?

My best results in triathlon would definitely be Mooloolaba 2020 where I placed 1st in my age group and smashed out a new PB. Another best result would be the Triathlon Grand Final in Switzerland where I placed 2nd in the world in my age group.  

What I like about triathlon?

 The things I like about triathlon is the atmosphere and the challenges it brings. I also enjoy competing against the best in Australia and meeting new athletes all over the world. I also love the training aspect and the opportunities triathlon brings.

Goals for next season?

1.     Breaking PB’s and seeing improvements in all areas

2.     Staying injury free

3.     Give it my best shot in the under 23’s 

Meet Hayden Small - 2020 Race Pace WYN republic Junior High Performance Squad

Hayden Small is the latest athlete to join the Race Pace Coaching Wyn Republic Junior High Performance Squad.  After his performance and 6th place in Race#1 of the Australian Junior Youth Series at the Gold Coast and several years of hard work and dedication, Hayden was invited to be a part of the RPWJHP Squad along with founding members Alexa, Chloe and Harry. 

Hayden competed in his first ever triathlon in Central Queensland at the age of 6 and then took up the sport more seriously when he joined Race Pace in 2014.  Hayden has always had a natural talent in long distance running and has competed in Distance Track & Field and Cross Country running events at a District, Regional, State and National level over the last few years. 

Hayden has committed to improving the other two legs of his triathlon over the last year in particular but his work in the pool and a new love of swimming has seen some of his greatest improvement recently. Whether it was a Kool Kids race a few years ago or Sprint Distance last month Hayden always gives 100% when he hits the start line. A ferocious competitor during the race but Hayden is always the first to shake a hand, congratulate his fellow athletes or deliver a much needed cup of water in recovery.

Hayden has a cheeky nature within the training group and thoroughly enjoys spending time with his fellow Race Pacers – from the youngest where he lends a hand and words of encouragement to the older athletes where he loves to step up to the challenge in training.  He especially loves the group Zwift rides, chasing Harry and Alexa on the pool early on a Tuesday morning and stepping up to the challenging runs on a Tuesday arvo with the crew.

Hayden says that one of the thing he likes most about Triathlon is the chance to meet new people, stay active, and build fitness for everyday life.  And his greatest accomplishment so far ….. “I can’t go past the 6th place at Super Sprint because it was against the best athletes in my age group from all across the country”.  Hayden also says he is very proud to have represented the Sunshine Coast nine times, and also his state of Queensland in both triathlon and cross-country. 

Hayden likes nothing more than refuelling up after a hard training session with either Mexican or Japanese.  Hayden has loved his couple of travel experiences too, visiting Japan last year and a few years ago, got to watch the Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii where he got to see the Race Pace Wyn Republic JHPS Supporters Luke and Beth McKenzie on course.

Apart from wanting to keep enjoying his triathlon, Hayden also aspires to reach his full potential in his chosen sport- whatever that may be.  Right up there would be to one day represent his country at a World Champs and being part of a National Championship winning Queensland Triathlon Team.

Meet Harry Ladd - 2020 Race Pace WYN republic Junior High Performance Squad

Photo: @lbmedia_

Age:

17

What got you into Triathlons:

I loved running and mountain bike riding and saw an ad in my primary school newsletter about a come ’n’ try day. After the first session I was hooked, I absolutely enjoyed my first season and wanted to continue on.  

Favourite Discipline:

My favourite discipline would have to be the bike as it is so diverse, one moment you can be going flat out in a breakaway the next your tactically racing or having to try something new to get onto a group, also at training you can mix it up with some wicked tricks to keep things interesting.

Most Improved Discipline:

I believe my most improved discipline this past triathlon season has been my swim leg.

Favourite Food:

My favourite food would have to be Lasagne.

Best Result:

I believe my best results would be second place in the last two Qld School Sport State titles in Hervey Bay.

What I like about Triathlons:

I love competing against the best junior triathletes in Qld and Australia. I also love the opportunities it brings to meet athletes from overseas as well as making & hanging out with good friends.

Favourite race of the season:

My favourite race of the season is the Super Sprint Race Weekend at the Goldy. The racing is so diverse over the 4 days, with tactical racing needed to survive from track running, crit races, hyper sprints & team relay’s.  It really has everything from speed to endurance events, which attracts the best junior athletes in Australia and Oceania. In particular I love the bike course as there is nothing else like it in Qld, a closed course but with variety, & TA setup hairpin bends, chicanes, switchbacks & other apex points along the track which make getting in & out of transition exhilarating riding.

Favourite pump up song before a race:

Can’t Stop by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Goals for next season:

1.     To stay injury free so as to reach my full potential when racing at my events from building on my training to the best of my best ability.

2.     Place in the top 10 at Triathlon Australia Australian Youth Junior Series for Elite U19 in 2019/2020 season.

3.     Make it to 2021 World’s for triathlon in Bermuda and Cross country triathlon in Townsville (QLD).

2020 Race Pace WYN republic Junior High Performance Squad

Congratulations to Alexa Leary, Chloe McLennan, Harry Ladd on their second year and to Hayden Small our newest edition to the team! 

Thank you to Luke & Beth McKenzie for their ongoing support & partnership with our juniors.

We look forward to the year ahead and into the future!

Each athletes will provide a bio ... stay tuned!