2025 report
​The 2025 running of the Martin Chimes Christmas Day Triathlon once again delivered a great mix of competition, camaraderie, and spirit, with nearly 60 participants across individual and team entries.
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Over the last ten editions (2015-2025, noting the COVID-era 2020 event did not proceed), hundreds of people have taken part, whether as individuals or as part of a team, coming together to remember Martin by getting out there, having a crack and sharing the morning through sport. Special mention to the only three who have participated in every edition: Joel Bloom (9 individual entries and 1 team entry) and Mark Davis and Marty Knespal (each with 8 individual and 2 team entries).
This year at the front of the field, Brendan Krone (1:16:52) took out the individual win to make it a two-year streak, once again etching his name into the event trophies. Craig Pager (1:19:39) followed in second in the Opens, recording the fastest bike split of the day with the only sub-40-minute ride of the morning. He also took out the Veterans (50-60) category and did his bit off the course by helping out with timing mats.
Britt Welander (1:20:02) was in a field of her own, taking first woman honours for a third straight year, completing the hat-trick and getting quicker each time. Britt also finished third individual overall.
In the other age-group category, Alan Kaplan took out the Masters (60+) title in 1:25:26, continuing his long-running record of turning up and racing well whenever triathlon is on the agenda.
The swim set the tone early, with a tight front group clustered around the low-11-minute mark. Surf lifesaver Kiva Galgut sliced through the water first, with Ethan Hammerschlag tracking him like a shadow and conceding only four seconds by the swim’s end.
Team entries were strong this year, and it was great to see David Schnabl, Brad Lindenberg and Adam Ezra (1:16:02) return after a long hiatus to take out the team honours with a solid all-round performance. Shout outs also to the first mixed men’s and women’s team home, Sam Penkin, Marc Gorin and Nicole Katz (1:29:28), and to Jona Meyerson, Ori Gudes and Alon Gudes in second, with 13-year-old Alon producing a standout 4:19 per km pace on the run.
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Age was no barrier again this year, with our youngest entrant Shiloh Seidman (just shy of 8 years old) doing the lion’s share of the swim and then tackling the run, and our oldest and most seasoned individual entry coming from regular contender Mark Hoffman, with almost 62 years separating the two. Unfortunately, young-gun Aaron Kitay took a tumble on the first lap of the ride but is on the mend, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Thanks to Brendan Krone and Roy Cohen, along with any others who stopped, for looking after Aaron and staying with him until CHS arrived to take over.
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As always, thank you to everyone who helped make the morning run smoothly, including timekeepers Adam Chimes and Jake Chimes, marshals Geoff Meskin, Steve Myerson and Roy Neumann, and all others who assisted. And finally, a special call out to Larry Cohen for a meaningful and heartfelt drosha to open the day.
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Looking forward to seeing you again for the 2026 edition.
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