With the 2025/6 triathlon season now at a close, it is time for us to celebrate our achievements over the year of training and racing by crowning our JTM Female & Male Performances of the Year.
Voting closes 8:30pm Thursday 21st May 2026.
Winners to be announced at the JTM end of season gala on May 23rd.
Congratulations to the following nominees.
FEMALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Demi Caldwell - Canberra Marathon
Building a name for herself as one of the best trail runners in Australia, Demi stepped onto the start line of the Canberra marathon as one of the few road races of her calendar alongside a strong women’s field. By kilometre 3 Demi and 1 other had gone clear of the rest of the women’s field with a margin that gradually increased across the day. Locked in a head to head battle, Demi used the Weston Park out and back section of the course with 10km to go to finally snap the elastic and light up the last 10km of the race running home the winner of the Canberra Marathon in 2:43:26.
Bronte Clifford - World Triathlon Sprint Distance Championships
Taking a back seat from triathlon the last couple of years, Bronte’s return to triathlon racing came with a strong sense of family and club support. After qualifying for Wollongong alongside her family and friends, Bronte lined up in the sprint distance race as one of 7 JTM women on the start line. After a great swim put Bronte in the chase group of the race, some help from her teammates ensured Bronte arrived into T2 in a good spot to show off her strong run legs eventually running down the deficit to 3rd place and completing the JTM podium sweep.
Lara Dawson - World Triathlon Sprint & Standard Distance Championships
Getting to the start line of the world championships in Wollongong was no small feat for Lara. Having struggled with injury in the lead up to the event in October, Lara’s prep was by no means perfect. Any self doubt was soon put to bed when Lara quickly asserted herself early on the bike of the standard distance race, never looking back. Lara’s lead grew, running down the finish chute claiming the world championship title for the 20-24 age group before backing up the next day to claim the sprint distance title.
Ellie Hoitink - Oceania Standard Distance Championships
Doubling as the Oceania Standard Distance championships in 2026, the Devonport triathlon is a right of passage for every draft legal triathlete in Australia. After the highs and lows of the previous Olympic cycle, Ellie set the foundations of her LA28 campaign by running her way clear of the main pack in 35:51 to finish on the podium in what would be her first of two Oceania medals this year in two different sports.
MALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Yoann Colin - Sunshine Coast 70.3
After a long period of layoffs due to injury and illness, Yoann returned to middle distance racing in late 2025. Showing promise at Challenge Samarkand, Yoann backed up at Sunshine Coast 70.3 swimming and riding in the big main group before running a solid 1:12 half marathon on the way to his first international middle distance podium.
Jarrod Osborne - Canberra Marathon
After a huge year of chasing the Ironman Pro Series last year, one of Jarrod’s big goals in 2026 was to experience some new races. With that, the Canberra marathon was high on the list of experiences for the year. Following the gruelling Melbourne to Warrnambool and Geelong 70.3, Jarrod’s training shifted to prepare for the Canberra marathon. Through 32km Jarrod found himself locked together with the talented Matthew Cox being steadily chased by a group which included last year’s champion. Establishing a small gap through Weston Park, the gap was soon closed with the two again running stride by stride. As the kilometres ticked it was anyone’s guess who would take the tape. Entering the finish chute Jarrod had etched a small lead kicking down the last 500m in 2:58/km pace to break the tape and claim victory in his first stand alone marathon.
Pete Tucker - Wollongong Triathlon Festival
Pete’s preparation and race in Wollongong were one of the most inspirational across the group this year. Commencing triathlon training just a few months ago, Pete set about tirelessly learning the skills and gaining the confidence to undertake the 750m ocean swim. Exiting the water ably supported by his crew, Pete cruised home finishing his first triathlon much to the delight of his proud squad mates and coaches.
Andy Walton- Western Sydney 70.3
Andy Walton’s rise through triathlon has been a lesson in steady patience and commitment. Struggling with cramps at the back end of middle distance races throughout the year, Andy had been on the search for the run off the bike he knew he was capable of. With an improved swim-bike which saw Andy exit T2 towards the pointy end of the field, Andy set off in typical fashion running athletes down for fun. In what turned out to be a great AG battle, Andy laid down a PB 1:18 half marathon to crack the elusive 4:00 barrier on the way to second place in the 30-34 age group.
