A week of tough, uplifting Age Group and Elite multisport racing came to a celebratory close on Sunday evening as the athletes returned to World Triathlon start lines en masse for the first time in three years.

After the enforced pause of the pandemic, there was huge anticipation among those who had arrived from 38 different countries to bring their colour and passion to the city of Targu Mures. Some had come for golds, many just to feel the atmosphere of the first full Multisport World Championships since 2019, but all left with new friends, memories and achievements.

The city officially opened its doors on Sunday 5 June as the beautiful forest of Cornesti Plateau the venue for first the inaugural Cross Duathlon World Championships, then the Cross Triathlon two days later.

The Transylvania Moto Ring hosted the standard-distance Duathlons, and a fast and fabulous sprint course in the city centre closed out the action on Sunday ahead of the Elite and Junior 2x2 Duathlon Mixed Relay. 

“This is my fourth World Championships,” said Natasha Pertwee, representing Australia in the 45-50 category sprint duathlon. “I’ve done Mexico, Gold Coast and Lausanne and they were all brilliant but I think this might be one of the best. It’s little and local and I like that. It’s the atmosphere that keeps me coming back.”

Congratulations to Team Australia:

2022 World Triathlon Elite & U23 Cross Championships
5th – Tom Fisher (U23)
28th – Taylor Charlton (Elite)

2022 World Triathlon Elite Cross Championships
Bronze Medal - Julie Kael (50-54 Age Group) 
4th - Emmanuel Hovette (40-44 Age Group)
6th – Seppo Kael (55-59 Age Group)
13th David Woods (40-44 Age Group) 

2022 World Triathlon Elite Duathlon Championships
6th Sky Wallace (Junior)
17th – Matt Smith (Elite)

2022 World Triathlon Sprint Duathlon Championships
Silver Medal – Dawn Courage (60-64 Age Group)
5th – Jackson Koch (30-34 Age Group)
5th - Natasha Pertwee (45-49 Age Group)
5th - Darren Blackhurst (55-59 Age Group)

Full results here >>

The next stop for Age Group World Championships will be the 2022 World Triathlon Sprint and Mixed Relay Championships kicking off next week in Montreal, Canada.