Murray Fry is in the national team.
CAMPERDOWN pharmacist Murray Fry will swap his white lab coat for a green and gold triathlon suit in October when he heads to New Zealand for the world championships.
The 51-year-old produced promising performances at Geelong and Victor Harbour over summer to put his name up for national triathlon team selection.
After a six-week break nursing a chronic calf injury, Fry was last week notified he would represent Australia later this year.
“I didn’t really plan it,” the father-of-four told The Standard this week.
“I’d only just recovered from my last injury when I thought I’d (compete) this season.
“Once I decided I’d have a go (at qualifying for worlds) I got quite keen on the idea.
“It’s nice to finally get another chance.”
Fry first appeared on the world stage in 2006 in Switzerland.
Niggling injuries interrupted the past six years but some expert coaching from Geelong-based conditioner Jarrod Evans got him back on track.
Fry is still working hard to strengthen his troublesome Achilles and calves in preparation for the big event.
“I haven’t got huge expectations,” said Fry, who will compete in the 50-54 age group. “I just want to do as well as I can.
“In Switzerland there was 100 people in my 45-49 age group and I came 30th. I’d like to improve on that.”
Fry took up the endurance sport after retiring from football when he was 30.
He tried his luck on the golf course but quickly became frustrated with the game.
However, training and contesting triathlons left him energised.
“I always felt good after triathlons, which was contrary to golf,” he laughed.
With a running and swimming background, Fry identifies the bike as his weakest leg.
He will challenge the Olympic distance in New Zealand, which comprises a 1.5-kilometre swim, 40km cycle and 10km run.
The bike course in Auckland is undulating, so Fry is putting in plenty of hours along the hilly roads around Camperdown.
“I’m a bit of a lightweight, so that helps with the hills,” he said. “Camperdown is a great spot to train.”
Warrnambool’s Adam Cashmore will also represent Australia at the world championships.
mrooth@standard.fairfax.com.au