The first triathlon races begin in May and not a month too late. Our keen members were raring to go, itching to get their feet wet.
Ashington Sprint Triathlon was first on the calendar, held on the 2nd. In windy damp conditions, Michelle Scott was our first lady home, 3rd in her age group, 5th overall in a stupendous time of 1:12:48. Tracy Warrior was next, finishing 10th in her age group, 27th overall, in a time of 1:26:20. Penny Johnson was our final lady home that day, 18th in her age group, 39th overall, in a time of 1:28:39, admitting that at one point on the bike, the wind blew her ‘sideways’, but the race was ‘awesome’. Both Tracy and Penny used this event as a warm up for their forth coming middle distance triathlon challenge – The Outlaw Half – held over the end of May bank holiday weekend in Nottingham. Good luck Ladies. For the gents, Dan Halladay finished 15th is his age group, 37th overall, in a fantastic time of 1:12:09, while Stuart Rimmer, also using the event as a Half Outlaw warm up, finished 14th in his age group, 70th overall in a time of 1:19:20.
At the Richmond Aquathlon (500m swim, 4k run) on the 8th, Anne Kellet, our only lady in the race, finished 21st in a time of 38.02. The gents were represented by Jez Ladbury, 10th in a time of 30.04, Alan Kellet, 20th in a time of 36.04 and James Wilson, who finished just behind Alan in 21st position, in a time of 37.58
The ever popular Cleveland Sprint on the 15th in Stokesley, saw no fewer than five entrants, Nicola Darragh representing the ladies finishing 2nd female, 56th overall in a time of 1:09:05 which was an amazing result. Graham Atkins was our first gent home, 4th age group, 33rd overall, in a time of 1:03:56. Austin Donoghue was next, 6th in his age group, 67th overall, in a time of 1:11:18. Michael Casey finished 6th in his age group, 101st overall, in a time of 1:19:07, and James Wilson crossed the line 8th in his age group, 110th overall in a time of 1:22:42.
We had only one entrant in the Loch Lomond Standard Distance Triathlon held on the 23rd. Dan Halladay travelled all the way across the border to compete, exiting the water 1st, finishing 3rd in his age group, 7th overall, in a very commendable time of 2:50:16.
If you would like any information regarding membership to our club or to the sport of Triathlon, don’t hesitate to send us an e-mail to Aycliffetriclub@gmail.com or call in to one of our swim sessions and speak to any of our friendly coaches, Wednesdays 7-8 at Woodham Academy Swimming Pool. You can also find us on Facebook.