A powerful run leg helped young gun Liam Wilcox to success in the Ganmain Triathlon.
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Record numbers of participants were greeted by cooler conditions to kick off the Riverina Tri Series on Sunday.
It was the next generation who shone with 14-year-old Wilcox stopping the clock in 1:02.38 hours.
Taking a big step up this season, Wilcox ran past some more experienced rivals to take the victory.
Organiser Jason Hamblin said it was an impressive display from the Albury youngster.
"Liam Wilcox was a real smoky and he was fourth, maybe fifth off the bike and his run leg was just phenomenal," Hamblin said.
"He just smoked them on the run and went past some previous winners.
"He's not very big, but he's turned into a ripper."
Wilcox went on to take a 56 second-victory over Scott Donaldson.
It looked like former winner Andrew Bruce was going to add another Ganmain crown after dominating on the bike.
He led by around 110 metres coming out of the pool before the leg speed of Wilcox, Donaldson, Jackson Tenhave and Luke Mazzocchi proved too strong and saw him finish fifth.
"All the young blokes dominated the run," Hamblin said.
Meanwhile, newcomer Claudia Taylor out the women's event.
It was the Jerilderie athlete's first visit to Ganmain and she put in an impressive display.
Ganmain's Chloe Hamblin finished second, 1 minute 22 seconds behind Taylor, while Sharon MacMaster was third.
Taylor won in 1:16.46 hours.
With 120 entrants in the open race and 105 across the junior and enticer editions, Hamblin was thrilled with the turnout.
"It was a fantastic day with record numbers in all events," he said.
"From the committee's side we couldn't be happier with how it went.
"If you get over 100 you've had a massive day so we're really rapt."
Hamblin thought the boost in numbers could have been helped by Temora being forced to abandon their swim leg.
After extreme heat leading into the event, Hamblin was also pleased with the weather conditions despite winds making things harder on the bike leg.
The Riverina Tri Series continues at Temora on Sunday with the event to be a duathlon after the swim leg was cancelled due to low water levels.
There are five legs this season with events to come at The Rock and Holbrook before the series concludes at West Wyalong on March 29.
