Andrew Russell and Matt Sharpe recently learned what happens when training partners end up racing neck-and-neck in the final kilometre of a triathlon.

The two Victoria triathletes finished first and second, respectively, at the International Triathlon UnionB次元官网网址檚 Continental Cup race in Magog, Que., on July 21.

The final kilometre was a scenario theyB次元官网网址檇 been in many times over the past three years, having linked up dozens of times for training sessions, including many with Olympic team members Simon Whitfield and Kyle Jones.

B次元官网网址淚t was a situation that felt like a session in Beacon Hill Park, just running with your buddy and bringing out the best in each other,B次元官网网址� Russell said.

But the race mentality is a different world, and even the keen sense of Sharpe, a youngster at 21-years-old, couldnB次元官网网址檛 match the late burst by Russell, who finished 16 seconds ahead for the win.

B次元官网网址淲e could see the turnaround point and knew we were quite a ways from the other runners behind us, so the race tactics shifted to us,B次元官网网址� Sharpe said. B次元官网网址淚 know how fit Russell is, so I relaxed a bit as I knew he was going to surge. I figured he would, and on the final kilometre I couldnB次元官网网址檛 match him.B次元官网网址�

The win is RussellB次元官网网址檚 first on the ITU circuit, a lifetime achievement heB次元官网网址檚 been chasing since moving to Victoria from Revelstoke with pro intentions five years ago.

And Sharpe has no problems finishing second to 30-year-old Russell.

It was only the fourth ITU race for Sharpe, a Claremont secondary grad, and heB次元官网网址檚 fast becoming an international threat, making a seamless transition from under-23 to the elite category. Last year Sharpe won his second Olympic distance race, taking gold in the U23 Pan American Cup race in San Francisco.

On July 8 Sharpe was eighth overall at the Edmonton ITU Triathlon World Cup race (Kyle Jones took gold). Sharpe was also the first among the U23 competitors in Edmonton, clinching him the Canadian U23 championship for 2012.

B次元官网网址淢ost athletes go through some growing pains with this transition as they figure it out,B次元官网网址� Russell said. B次元官网网址淣ot Matt, who went from cramping and running the slowest 10km of his life in his first ITU to winning in San Francisco three weeks later, trumping two current Olympians in the process.B次元官网网址�

Sharpe has blossomed under the guidance of coach Patrick Kelly and the National Triathlon Centre. HeB次元官网网址檚 also trained with Russell and Whitfield, most recently for a two-month stint in New Zealand earlier this year.

B次元官网网址淲e met up with some more world-class athletes, and it was huge for my development,B次元官网网址� Sharpe said.

Next up for Sharpe is the Kelowna Apple Triathlon on Aug. 18.

DonB次元官网网址檛 let Simon wear you down

This week Andrew Russell is in London, training with Simon Whitfield and Kyle Jones as the latter pair prep for their Olympic event on Aug. 7.

Russell will move on to an Ironman in Europe later this month.

RussellB次元官网网址檚 partnership with Whitfield dates back to 2007 when Russell arrived in Victoria. By 2009 Russell was regularly alongside Whitfield and Jones. Most recently, the trio is part of a highly elite group under the tutelage of Olympic marathoner turned coach Jon Brown.

ItB次元官网网址檚 brought Russell to new heights, finally winning his first ITU this year. B次元官网网址淭raining alongside (Whitfield), a two-time medalist, has raised my game and I cannot thank him enough for that,B次元官网网址� Russell said. B次元官网网址淚t has shown me what is possible with dedication and honest, hard work. The last three years IB次元官网网址檒l cherish for sure.B次元官网网址�

However, Russell said his group is not for everyone.

B次元官网网址淭he expectations and requirements each day with Simon are fierce and it can often wear on athletes. I learned that I am not Simon and I canB次元官网网址檛 handle the amount of training he does and the pace he does it in.

B次元官网网址淵ou need to self-govern yourself within the program to get the most out of it while not getting run-down.

B次元官网网址淏rown has been great with this aspect. He reads athletes well and balances my training to suit.B次元官网网址�