Australian elite ‘triathlete’ Brendan Sexton became the first-ever Canary Wharf Triathlon champion last night (Thurs) after beating off strong competition from British duo Aaron Harris and Matt Gunby.

He finished in 26mins 11secs after a sprint finish in front of huge crowds, followed just over a second behind by Harris who beat Gunby into third place.

“Aaron really gave it to me tonight,” Sexton said after crossing the finish. “There were times I wasn’t sure I could hold onto him, but I knew I had a good sprint in me.

“It makes it sweeter knowing you pushed all the way to the end.”

Sexton got through the first heat in pole position—then put in a powerful sprint finish to claim the champion’s trophy and make it a double for Australia with Erin Densham taking the women’s title.

Second placed Harris said: “It was just a shame to be pipped by an Aussie, but I’m happy with second.”

He’s taking it on to chin and wants to come back and “race it all over again—it’s brilliant.”

The GE Canary Wharf Triathlon, the first-ever in the business and shopping district, attracted athletes from Europe, Australia, the US and South Africa as well as a strong UK contingent.

It was the penultimate in this year’s British Triathlon Super Series—next big gathering in the Triathlon calendar is the London Triathlon on July 30.