Kimberley Morrison to kick off 2016 season in Argentina
First year Pro heads out to Ironman 70.3 Buenos Aires
Having performed well in the Age-Group ranks for several years now, including a European Championship in 2014, Kimberley Morrison (www.kimberleymorrison.co.uk) kicks off her first full year in the Pro ranks this coming weekend at Ironman 70.3 Buenos Aires in Argentina.
After ending her 2015 domestic season with a win at the Hever Castle 'Gauntlet' Triathlon, Kimberley went on to finish sixth at Challenge Forte Village and eighth at Challenge Laguna Phuket in the Pro events.
With a solid winter of training under the guidance of coach Mark Pearce (www.intelligent-triathlon-training.com), Kimberley told Tri247 that she is excited to get her first race in to test out the improved speed and endurance that her training progress is indicating.
Related Article - Morrison races to top ten in France
Among the Pro's listed for this debut event, which is based north of downtown Buenos Aires in Tigre, are Sofie Goos (BEL) of the BMC-Etixx Pro team, Ariane Monticeli (BRA), who joined the sub-nine iron-distance club at Ironman Brasil 2015 and veteran (and Ironman UK 2006 winner), Dede Griesbauer (USA).
FULL START LIST
Kimberley Morrison set for 70.3 Buenos Aires
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Red Bull Neptune Steps entries open
THE RETURN OF RED BULL NEPTUNE STEPS… SIGN UP NOW!
Red Bull Neptune Steps is back, bigger and better than ever in 2016
Entries go live at 10am on Tuesday 1st March
Red Bull Neptune Steps is back, and entries are officially OPEN as at 10am on Tuesday 1st March.
The return of the UK's toughest open water swimming event will take place on Saturday 9th April 2016 in the water of the Forth & Clyde Canal at Maryhill Locks, Glasgow. Entries go live at 10am on Tuesday 1st March at redbull.co.uk/neptunesteps
The event is a mass participation contest, designed for competitive open water swimmers with a strong track record in swimming, triathlon, or adventure racing, keen to pit themselves against some of the UK and Ireland's top endurance athletes. Red Bull are giving 200 competitors the opportunity to swim, climb, and conquer the ultimate endurance test. New for this year, the event will also feature an all female competition.
Related Article: 2015 Red Bull Neptune Steps report
Last year's winner Mark Deans of Glasgow who is currently in training for the Australian Open Water Championships in Sydney told us: ‘Swimming in the canal was a unique experience… and there were so many tough competitors'.
Since announcing the event on Thursday 18th February, thousands of potential competitors have signed up to register an interest in the event via Redbull.com.
Swimmers interested in taking part are being urged to sign up as soon as possible to guarantee entry.
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Abu Dhabi tribute to Laurent Vidal
Laurent Vidal to be recognised at World Triathlon Series Abu Dhabi
The triathlon world was stunned in November last year with news of the death of French Olympic triathlete Laurent Vidal. Aged just 31, Vidal finished fifth at the London 2012 Olympics.
Laurent had suffered heart attack two years earlier when training which would ultimately end his own Elite racing career, but following his recovery he had been making great strides in the coaching world, most notably with his fiancee, Andrea Hewitt (NZL). Seemingly recovered, his sudden death last year was a huge shock to everyone. He was an athlete and person so widely regarded and respected within the sport.
With the first ITU World Triathlon Series since his death taking place on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, the ITU have confirmed that:
As a tribute to the late, beloved Laurent Vidal, the No. 1 position in the men's and women's start list has been left open
Related Article: World Triathlon Series 2016 season preview
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World Triathlon Series 2016 season preview
Columbia Threadneedle Rankings Report - ITU World Triathlon 2016 Season Preview
Six months after the record-breaking events of the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago, the 2016 season is almost upon us. The Columbia Threadneedle Rankings Report is back to bring you insight into the key performers during Olympic year. In a special edition to kick off the season, this report previews the 2016 season ahead of the first event - the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi.
Gomez and Mola – strength in depth for Spain
The Brownlee brothers still set to impress
Can anyone stop Gwen Jorgensen?
Olympic qualification places on the line
Talented young athletes set to challenge established stars
Two new ITU World Triathlon Series destinations for 2016
Men's Preview
Will it be another Spain versus Great Britain battle for National Federation honours in 2016? In winning his fifth ITU World Championship in 2015, a first for any athlete, Javier Gomez (ESP) made it three consecutive titles by once again heading the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings. On the podium eight times from his nine WTS race starts last year, Javier collected wins in both Yokohama and Stockholm to bring his career total of World Triathlon Series wins to 12. Remarkably, he has now earned 36 podium positions from 48 ITU World Triathlon Series starts, and if anything, is still improving.
The closing chapter of the 2015 season was that remarkable head-to-head run at the Chicago Grand Final between Javier and Mario Mola (ESP). Finishing with a stunning 28:59 10km run split, Mario won over the Olympic Distance for the first time in his career at WTS level while also taking second place in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings for the second consecutive season. Perhaps more importantly for his rivals, Mario had his best ever swim in Chicago to be right in contention from T1. Mola is a serious contender for Olympic Gold.
With Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 11th and Alistair Brownlee (GBR) 14th in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings for 2015, one might be forgiven for thinking that the legendary brothers from Leeds may be fading. However, closer inspection suggests that is far from the full story. While injuries to both limited their ability to race in 2015, with just seven World Triathlon Series starts between them, they did win – comprehensively – two races each, while who can forget that incredible head-to-head sprint between Alistair and Javier Gomez in Yokohama?
Alistair has now won at least one ITU World Triathlon Series event every season since it began in 2009, with a record breaking total of 19 Gold medals so far. For Jonathan – with an impressive ten wins of his own – his performance in Gold Coast was one of the finest we have seen from any athlete in recent years. Write off this pair at your peril.
Vincent Luis (FRA) was the breakthrough name of 2015. Third overall in the Columbia Threadneedle Ranking thanks to six, top-five finishes, he joined a very exclusive club of World Triathlon Series race winners in Hamburg. Strong across all disciplines, Luis will be a threat at every race once again this season.
Richard Murray (RSA) also had his best season to date, ending the year ranked fourth in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings. Three years after his first win in Hamburg (2012), Richard returned to the top step of a World Triathlon Series podium again in Edmonton. A strong athlete, he also finished third in the Rio Test Event on the Olympic Games course with the fastest run time of the day. Already a medal winner at the Commonwealth Games, he will believe he can add another at the Olympic level too.
Who are the up-and-coming names to look out for this year? A World Champion at both Junior and Under-23 level, Dorian Coninx (FRA) secured top-10 positions in both London (6th) and Hamburg (4th) last year, his first season. He's yet another fast Frenchman to watch. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) finished ninth in Yokohama last year before later taking the Under-23 World Championship title in Chicago. Another year on, look for some strong performances from the young Aussie this season, as well as Rio-bound Aaron Royle (AUS) Follow the progress too of Tyler Mislawchuk (CAN) this season. The highest placed debutant in the 2015 rankings, he had a very consistent season of top-20 results and looks set to make a significant step forward this year.
Women's Preview
Will it be Gwen, again? Gwen Jorgensen (USA) simply dominated in 2015. Winning all seven of her World Triathlon Series starts – and the Rio Test Event too – Gwen extended her unbeaten streak of WTS races to 12 on the way to defending her World Championship title with maximum points in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings. It will be interesting to see whether that streak proves to be a burden or provide further confidence to an athlete who has improved her performances across all three disciplines over the past 18 months.
Team USA would certainly win the strength-in-depth award for 2015. They completed podium sweeps in both Gold Coast and London proving that their talent is significantly more than Jorgensen alone. They filled more than half of the podium positions across the season, earning 16 of the 30 medals available from the ten WTS events held last year, with Sarah True (three) and Katie Zaferes (six), regular visitors to the podium.
As well as Columbia Threadneedle Rankings points and the battle for the World Championship title, the early season will provide interesting racing for Olympic Games qualification too. While Katie Zaferes made the podium six times from eight starts in WTS races last year, she has yet has not secured her place for Rio. Will she be able to earn that final birth alongside Gwen Jorgensen and Sarah True?
For the strong British team, Jodie Stimpson and Helen Jenkins look set to contest for the final Olympic Games spot alongside the already pre-selected Non Stanford and Vicky Holland. Both Stimpson and Jenkins start in Abu Dhabi. Look out for more head-to-head battles within several National Federations as Olympic selection deadlines approach in the early part of the year.
The end of 2015 was a case of triumph and tragedy for Andrea Hewitt (NZL). By finishing fourth at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago, Hewitt earned a fifth career ITU World Championship medal, moving past Sarah True (USA) in the final Columbia Threadneedle Rankings for the year by just six points. In November, the whole of the triathlon world was stunned by the sudden death of Laurent Vidal (FRA), Andrea's fiancé and coach. Confirming plans to race in the 2016 Olympics, everyone in the sport wishes Andrea well for the year ahead after such a sad end to 2015.
Among the younger athletes to watch this year are Laura Lindemann (GER), World and European Junior champion for the past two seasons. Laura raced five WTS races last season, finishing well inside the top-20 in all of then, with a best of seventh on home soil in Hamburg. Fellow German athlete Sophia Saller is also showing huge potential. The Under-23 World Champion from 2014 had a season's best performance of fourth in Cape Town last year.
Watch out for the French athletes too. Audrey Merle and Leonie Periault shared an incredible sprint finish at the Under-23 World Championships in Chicago and could challenge the established stars of the sport this year. Merle will race in Abu Dhabi.
ITU World Triathlon Series Quick Facts
The ITU World Triathlon Series comprises of nine events in 2016, starting in Abu Dhabi and concluding with the Grand Final in Cozumel, Mexico.
The first four races of the series offer points, which count towards Rio Olympic Games qualification process.
The UK leg of the ITU World Triathlon Series will be held in Leeds this year – the hometown of the Brownlee brothers.
Cozumel, Mexico is the other new venue for the series. Previously a World Cup event, Cozumel will host the 2016 Grand Final in September.
6 locations will host Olympic Distance events (Abu Dhabi, Gold Coast, Yokohama, Leeds, Stockholm, Cozumel)
3 locations will host Sprint Distance events (Cape Town, Hamburg, Edmonton)
Five times an ITU World Champion, Javier Gomez (ESP) has headed the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings for the past three seasons.
Gwen Jorgensen (USA) has been the leading woman in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings in both 2014 and 2015.
This report is brought to you in partnership with Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Global Financial Services partner of the ITU World Triathlon Series and Title Sponsor of the official rankings.
Join the conversation on twitter with @CTinvest_tri or by using #CTrankings.
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TriathlonLIVE passes now on sale
Passes for Triathlonlive.TV, which broadcasts all of the ITU World Triathlon Series live and on demand, are now on sale for the 2016 season.
With nine races on the ITU World Triathlon Series calendar, both Olympic qualification and World Championship crowns are on the line. Triathlon advocates around the world can tune into every minute of action as it happens or at their own convenience on Triathlonlive.TV. Furthermore, every person who purchases a pass before March 5 will be entered to win a pair of Jabra sport Pulse headsets.
The season pass is a great value at the same low price of €19.99 (approx. $22.20) for over 46 hours of live HD racing and over 230 hours of classic racing dating back to 1989 (perfect for motivation or indoor training). For best value, fans can get their pass before March 5 to enjoy the entire World Triathlon Series.
The 2016 All-Access Season Pass includes:
All 9 World Triathlon Series events (18 individual races) live and on demand
The ITU Mixed Relay World Championships live and on demand
Over 46 hours of HD TV footage
6 Bonus magazine shows, featuring every ITU World Cup plus an Olympic preview show
Over 230 hours of archive footage dating back to 1989
The ITU World Triathlon Series kicks off with the elite men scheduled to start at 1 p.m. local time on March 5 in Abu Dhabi, and the women set to start at 4 p.m. local time. The Series will then stop in an additional eight continents, with six races featuring Olympic distance races, while three events will offer sprints.
Yokohama remains the last WTS event to score Olympic Qualification Points, while Hamburg will serve as the final WTS event ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The German city will also host the Mixed Relay World Championships.
Related Article: World Triathlon Series 2016 season preview
2016 ITU World Triathlon Series Calendar:
Abu Dhabi, UAE – March 4-5
Gold Coast, Australia – April 9-10
Cape Town, South Africa– April 23-24
Yokohama, Japan – May 14-15
Leeds, England – June 11-12
Stockholm, Sweden – July 2-3
Hamburg, Germany – July 16-17
Edmonton, Canada – September 3-4
Cozumel, Mexico – September 11-18
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Harlech Triathlon to celebrate 15th edition in style
Harlech Triathlon - 3rd April 2016 - The Most Spectacular Race in Wales
Anniversary Harlech Triathlon to be biggest and best ever
The Harelch Triathlon, Welsh Duathlon Championships, Fun Run and a finish INSIDE Harlech Castle are among the special attractions on Sunday 3rd April 2016 at the 15th anniversary Harlech Triathlon (www.harlechtriathlon.org.uk)
Tri247 readers can obtain a £3 entry discount on both the Triathlon and Duathlon events by using code TRI247 when booking online
200 steps to Storm the Castle
This is the view athletes will see as they cross the finishing line >>>
In 2016 the Harlech Triathlon and Fun Run will climb from the 13th Century Water Gate to finish INSIDE THE CASTLE
In 2001 Harlech's tourist industry was decimated by the foot and mouth outbreak. A group of residents, mostly retired, had already formed a 'Way Forward' committee with the goal of encouraging visitors back to the area. Their idea of a running event was mentioned to a daughter of one of the committee members, who pointed out that the town had a swimming pool. The idea of Harlech Triathlon was born and the rest, as they say, is history.
Undeterred by a committee that included just a single triathlete and most members in their 60s or 70s, the first event went ahead in 2002. The aforementioned triathlete and her friends from Thames Valley Triathletes provided the technical expertise, whilst a massive team of volunteers from the Golf Club, WI and Church learnt the arts of marshalling, as well as catering for and welcoming the athletes.
Harlech has a stunning 13th century Castle and the race finish line has always used this as its backdrop. It also has a little matter of a 1-in-4 hill to reach the Castle. The 'Storm the Castle' slogan reflects this challenge and is a nod to the Castle's capture during the Wars of the Roses by Owain Glyndwr.
In 2016 the event celebrates its 15th birthday. Many of the committee are now octogenarians but are still going strong. The event has donated over £15,000 to local community causes and its good friends from Thames Valley Triathletes still help each year.
Harlech Triathlon continually aims to provide a bigger and better event for competitors, some of whom have raced for more than ten of the last fourteen years. At the prize giving for the 2015 event, competitors suggested that the event's 15th birthday warranted something special.
Finishing inside Harlech Castle will certainly be special!
For 2016 the finish line for the Triathlon and the recently added Fun Run will move into the centre of the Castle. This is possible by kind permission of the Custodian and CADW, who are themselves celebrating the completion of a new visitor centre.
To add to the prestige of our 15th event, the Welsh Triathlon Association has asked Harlech Triathlon Club to host the 2016 Welsh Sprint Duathlon Championships. The mass start nature of this event means that the finish line must be outside the Castle but competitors will still have the chance to test the Watergate Steps if they use their free entry to the Fun Run - a warm down perhaps?!
Special features of the weekend include:
The Triathlon and Fun Run will Storm the Castle, using the inspiring route from the 13th Century Water Gate. This includes steep paths and 200 steps to finish inside the Castle Keep
All competitors and their companions will receive free entry to the Castle (normally £5.25), its visitor centre attractions and the new café, with its panoramic view of the Castle
A special spectator area in the Castle's Outer Ward will have a grandstand view of the 200 steps to the finish line
The second run in the Welsh Sprint Duathlon Championships will Storm the Castle by tackling the 1 in 4 Harlech zig zags to finish in Castle Square
The 3km Fun Run, sponsored by the Purple Moose brewery of Porthmadog, will climb the 200 steps to Storm the Castle from the Water Gate entrance. This event is open to competitors of all ages with free entries for Triathlon and Duathlon competitors, provided they wear their race number
Free guided walks of varying distances will be available to view Harlech's hills, beaches and historic town centre on the Saturday afternoon before the event.
These “15th year special” events will not affect the many things that have made Harlech such a popular race:
Its reputation for friendliness
The assistance and encouragement given to novices
The scenic run along the beach
The novice-friendly cycle route, with a turnaround in the centre of Harlech
The slate medal for every finisher
The surprise race memento
Special trophies for novices and local competitors
And most importantly…. the final mouth-watering bacon “buttie” and hot drink, free to all competitors in the Memorial Hall, opposite the Castle.
Entries are now open www.harlechtriathlon.org.uk
Tri247 readers can obtain a £3 entry discount on both the Triathlon and Duathlon events by using code TRI247 when booking online
Follow the Harlch Triathlon on FACEBOOK and TWITTER (@HarlechTri)
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Emma Pooley launches new website
Multi-sport athlete and current long distance duathlon World Champion Emma Pooley launched her new website today as she looks ahead to her first race of the 2016 season.
Pooley is one of Great Britain's most respected and successful road cyclists of the past decade, winning six Olympic, World and Commonwealth medals.
Related Article: Emma Pooley to race Powerman Malaysia
After achieving Commonwealth silver in both the road race and time trial in Glasgow 2014, Emma retired from cycling, turning her attentions to triathlon and endurance events. Just one month later she won the Zofingen Powerman Long-Course Duathlon World Championships, breaking the course record by 16 minutes.
Since then she's added Alpe d'Huez, Embrunman and Zofingen World Champs again to her list of endurance victories.
There's always been more to Emma than meets the eye. An exciting racer and daring climber…gritty, courageous and ballsy - the pocket racer with the biggest heart - but she's also a trailblazer off the bike. Passionate, honest (sometimes too honest!), witty, with an infectious appetite for baking, human rights and equality. There's a side to Emma that many don't get to see.
That's why we bring you her brand new website: www.emmapooley.net.
Emma's official site will be an information portal for everything you need to know about Emma Pooley, including accurate past results and accolades as well as her up and coming race calendars…you'll never have to Wikipedia again!
Just like any modern day full time athlete, Emma's partnerships will be promoted here, and the causes she is passionate about, whilst Emma's latest news and blogs will provide an insight in to her life.
"I know it's a long time coming, but it's so nice that it is finally here," stated Emma. "I really hope everyone enjoys looking around, looking through my picture galleries and reading some of my blogs. It's great to be able to have an official prominence online and I would like to thank Tracy Pinder and Limegreentangerine for doing a wonderful job. Happy browsing!"
www.emmapooley.net
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WIN: a one week training camp in Portugal
WIN a one week stay at the Tri Harder Training Camp in Portugal
British sports nutrition brand High5 (www.highfive.co.uk) are currently running a competition in conjunction with Tri Training Harder (www.tritrainingharder.com) to win a one week's stay at their luxury training camp in Vilamoura, Portugal.
Your prize will include accommodation, all meals, video analysis, guided rides and full access to qualified coaches. You will be able to choose your holiday for a time that suits you, any time from now until June, subject to availability. Flights included.
That is a rather impressive prize. To enter, simply follow the (very simple) instructions on the link below:
http://highfive.co.uk/win-stay-at-tth-camp
The competition ends on 14th March 2016.
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ERDINGER Athlete of the Month: February 2016
ERDINGER Athlete of the Month returns for 2016
As we announced last month, our hugely popular ERDINGER Athlete of the Month feature is back for 2016, and in this piece we are very pleased to be announcing our first winner of the season. Read on to see who it is and why they were selected.
As we've said from the outset, picking a winner for this award can be based upon a range of factors including (but not limited to!):
Outstanding performance at one race,
Consistent performances over a number of events,
Recognition of an athletes efforts over many months, years…or even decades in some cases!
Overcoming setbacks, challenges or obstacles.
The opening months of the year in the UK are pretty quiet from a multisport racing perspective and so in order to pick our first winner of 2016 we've been looking back through the (many) email nominations we received through 2015. We've identified an athlete who should be an inspiration to many, using sport not just for competition but to regain health and wellbeing. That said, his progress has been impressive too with plans to continue that further in 2016. Hopefully this recognition will had to his motivation for the year ahead.
Please do continue to keep you nominations coming in through the year, it really is appreciated and they are all reviewed. Read on to find out this months winner...
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE WINNERS FROM 2015
This months winner has lost (a LOT) of weight, inspired his son, made his wife "hugely proud" and turned himself into a pretty good athlete along the way. When your starting point is weighing in at 22 stone, that is impressive - and that's why we are very pleased award our ERDINGER Athlete of the Month award to...
FEBRUARY 2016: PAUL SELLARS
We've selected Paul as our first winner of 2016, courtesy of nomination by his wife, Ann.
"In 2008 Paul weighed 22 stone, was pretty unfit, drank a lot of beer and couldn't run 500 metres without stopping. Today he weighs 13.5 stone, exercises 15-20 hours a week and is alcohol-free [Ed. quite appropriate, given the prizes!].
"In September 2014 he qualified at Challenge Weymouth to represent Team GB at Weymouth in 2015 at the ETU Long Distance Triathlon Championships, which he was immensely proud to do. He finished 6th in his age group of 45-49 years, completing the distance in under 11 hours.
"Other 2015 highlights include first place in the 3-hour Solo Viper Series Trail Race at Delamere Forest in March, the Outlaw Half Triathlon Distance in five hours in May, the Outlaw Full Triathlon Distance in under 11 hours in July. He has also raised over £1000 for Cancer Research.
"He has a Good for Age place in the London Marathon in 2016 (achieved from the Manchester Marathon in April 2015), and he is waiting to hear if he's qualified for the ETU Middle Distance Triathlon European Championships in Austria next year.
"I am hugely proud of all his achievements and I'm delighted that he's encouraged our son to take up triathlon as a sport. They spur each other on and are very competitive together."
We are delighted to make Paul Sellars our ERDINGER Alkoholfrei AOTM for February 2016. Paul will also receive these great prizes courtesy of ERDINGER Alkoholfrei:
1 x 24case ERDINGER Alkoholfrei Cans
2 x Water Bottles
1 x Rucksack
1 x Visor
1 x Multifunctional Scarf
1 x Small Towel
Help us find the Athlete of the Month for March 2016! - #AOTM
We want YOU to help us identify an Athlete of the Month candidate each month through 2016!
Perhaps you have got a friend, rival or club-mate who you feels deserves recognition for their efforts - as well as some tasty cans of ERDINGER Alkoholfrei plus some great prizes? The criteria is up to you - they may be the fastest, have recovered from injury, have sacrificed their own performances from others, shown consistency... anything you think is worthy of recognition!
How can I nominate someone?
Simple - two really easy options:
Simply email aotm@tri247.com with who you would like to see recognised and a brief note on why, or,
If you are on Twitter, use the hastag #AOTM and tweet us @tri247 and let us know when you have seen a noteworthy performance, or have someone you would like us to recognise!
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Eton SuperSprints set for 20,000th finisher
20,000th person to cross the line at the Nuffield Health Eton SuperSprints
Landmark finisher will win a valuable prize
The ever popular Nuffield Health Eton SuperSprints triathlons are back on 21st and 22nd May, and after 14 years event organisers Human Race, along with their new official health and wellbeing partner Nuffield Health, will welcome their 20,000th competitor. To celebrate the milestone and the enduring popularity of the event, the 20,000th person over the line will win a Human Race 2017 Triathlon Pass, plus a one year membership to a Nuffield Health fitness & wellbeing gym.
Widely regarded as the official start of the UK triathlon season, the vast number confirms the Nuffield Health Eton SuperSprints as being an important event for triathletes whether they are first timers or experienced athletes looking to get an early season fast time under their belt.
The Nuffield Health Eton SuperSprints start with a 400m open water swim in the clear and clean waters of Eton Dorney Lake, one of the iconic venues of the 2012 Olympic Games. Triathletes then take to the closed, flat road circuit for a 4-lap bike course covering 21.2k of the spectacular 450-acre parkland. The final 5k run follows a two lap loop along the side of the rowing tank on tarmac paths. Each day will offer two ‘Mates Waves’, in which friends will be able to race together. There is limited capacity for these popular waves which sold out in 2015.
The Nuffield Health Eton SuperSprints always have a buzzing atmosphere for both participants and supporters alike. Don’t miss the opportunity to start your season in the best possible surroundings.
To sign up to the Nuffield Health Eton SuperSprints and be in with a chance of becoming the 20,000 finisher visit: www.humanrace.co.uk/triathlon
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Top trio sign for IRONMAN European Champs
While reigning Ironman Champion Jan Frodeno won't be returning to defend his title at the IRONMAN® European Championship in Frankfurt (having confirmed he will be racing Challenge Roth), an initial three big names from what is always a stellar field have been announced today for the men's professional field.
Sebastian Kienle, Andreas Raelert and Tim O'Donnell finished 8th/2nd/3rd respectively in Kona last year, and both Kienle (2014) and Raelert (2010) are previous winners in Frankfurt.
Former IRONMAN World Champion Kienle will face off against competitive men's pro field
With an expected 3,000 athletes, more than 100,000 spectators, and 266 kilometers of competition, former IRONMAN Champions are set to face-off at the IRONMAN® European Championship in Frankfurt on July 3, 2016. With the women's professional field to be announced in the coming weeks, the men's professional field includes some of IRONMAN's best, including Sebastian Kienle, Andreas Raelert and Tim O'Donnell.
The 2014 IRONMAN European Champion and IRONMAN World Champion, Sebastian Kienle, is ready to bounce back after his fellow countryman Jan Frodeno claimed victories at both events in 2015. Kienle is no stranger to success, despite having to settle for a second place finish in Frankfurt and eighth place finish in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i last year.
“It really feels like I have seen it all in the past 24 months: the highest of highs and the lowest of lows of our sport. But once you have tasted victory you long for more. I can't wait to race against Andi (Raelert) and Tim (O'Donnell) in Frankfurt,” said Kienle. Meanwhile Jan Frodeno is set to race at the Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Rostock-based Andreas Raelert had a strong 2015 season, with a sixth place finish at the IRONMAN European Championship Frankfurt and a second place finish at the IRONMAN World Championship, just three minutes after Frodeno.
“Obviously winning here in Frankfurt in 2010 was a career moment for me. At the same time there were some bitter moments as well, especially my DNF in 2014,” Raelert said.
Adding to the strong pro field and racing for the first time in Frankfurt will be American Tim O'Donnell. O'Donnell finished third at last year's IRONMAN World Championship and second at the 2015 IRONMAN Latin American Championship Brazil, and looks to improve on an already impressive resume.
RACE FACTS
The 2015 IRONMAN European Championship is set to start at 6:30 a.m. with the professional men, followed by the professional women at 6:32 a.m. Age-group athletes will begin at 6:40 a.m. with a rolling swim start. For the professional athletes, the IRONMAN European Championship offers a $150,000 USD prize purse in addition to 4,000 points for the Kona Pro Ranking (KPR). Age-groups athletes will battle for 75 slots to the 2016 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i, which takes place on October 8.
THE COURSE
The rolling swim start will take place on the beach of the Langener Waldsee. Athletes will swim 3.8km, with a short running passage over the beach. The two-loop bike course guides athletes through the center of Frankfurt and into surrounding small villages. A highlight of the bike course for athletes as well as for the thousands of spectators is the Maintal-Hochstadt, and the 500-meter long slope through the historic town center.
The 42km flat and fast run course takes athletes along the river Main, with the skyline of downtown Frankfurt in the background. Thousands of spectators will cheer on the athletes alongside the waterfront and at the finish line in front of the historic town hall Römer.
For more information on the IRONMAN European Championship, visit www.ironman.com/frankfurt. For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.
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Weekend preview: March 05-06
We have definitely turned a corner in terms of event offerings now that it's the beginning of March. And not just on an international level, we even have a domestic triathlon - not the first of the year but definitely the first of the 'season'!
So, let's start with the international stuff and the big hitter here has to be the start of the ITU's World Triathlon Series in Abu Dhabi. Lots already written on this one but the headlines are that Adam Bowden, Thomas Bishop, Helen Jenkins and Jodie Stimpson are the GB names looking to set out their case for Rio selection. Without the Brownlee brothers, Javier Gomez (ESP) and Vincent Luis (FRA), statistical logic suggests that this is a race for either Mario Mola (ESP) or Richard Murray). Given they were first and third last year (with Luis second), that adds further credibility to that thought. There is a change this time around though - it's Olympic Distance, not Sprint.
Related Article: TriathlonLIVE passes now on sale
For the ladies, no Gwen Jorgensen (USA) either, but we do have the London 2012 Olympic podium (Nicola Spirig (SUI), Lisa Norden (SWE) and Erin Densham (AUS)), racing together for the first time since that day in Hyde Park four years ago.
Related Article: World Triathlon Series 2016 season preview
The Stimpson-Jenkins battle for the final spot on the GB Olympic team will be an interesting one for the first few races of the season. While the second race of the year, Gold Coast, is by all accounts the key one, a very strong race from either athlete is unlikely to escape the notice of the selectors. Similarly for the British men, while he doesn't have the Brownlee's there to 'Pilot', Tom Bishop will have an early opportunity to prove his own credentials for the final place to Rio.
Related Article: Tom Bishop eyes Rio Pilot role
The ITU also have races at Wollongong which is an OTU Oceania Sprint Cup and Clermont which is a CAMTRI America Sprint Cup. Thomas Davis and India Lee are starlisted for the Florida one.
The next biggie on the interational front is Ironman New Zealand where Joe Skipper, Lucy Gossage and Laura Siddall are lining up. We have a preview on that one HERE. Hopefully Joe has referenced our Travelling With Your Bike feature and won't be having any headset issues this time...
No GB presence at Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay but neo-Pro Kimberley Morrison is heading out to Ironman 70.3 Beunos Aires and there's a preview HERE.
PowerMan Malaysia will see Emma Pooley on the start line as part of her build-up for a crack at a Rio time trial slot and we would expect to see at least one GB name on the roster for XTERRA Motatapu although all we can find at the time of writing is a link to the official wine of the race!
There's an almost even split of racing for both Saturday and Sunday which is quite unusual and both days have qualification races available. Starting on Saturday we have the Dambuster Duathlon as the headline event offering standard distance slots for the ITU Duathlon World Championships. For the first time in years I won't be making the trip to Rutland but not to worry, all the results are streaming live. That race will also see the first multisport race of Matt Bottrill since his announced his decision to switch focus from Time Trials to Swim/Bike/Run last year. Expect a speedy bike split from the multiple national champion and competition record holder for both 25 and 50 miles.
Related Article: Matt Bottrill - motivated to Tri
Saturday sees the third and final race in Human Race's Off Road Series with the MudMan near Camberley (preview HERE). Dorney Lake is back in action with the second of Votwo's Eton Dorney Duathlon Series with runs in the afternoon. Also packed into the day are the Lancaster Duathlon and Mumbles Duathlon with both standard and sprint distances.
Sunday's headliner is the Oulton Park Duathlon with a draft-legal sprint distance race offering slots for the ITU Duathlon World Championships plus a standard distance race. Alternative duathlon action is available at Ely with the Monster Duathlon.
The first triathlon of the season appears courtesy of the Dyfi Dash while aquathletes can get going at either the Burntwood Aquathlon or the Frosty/Frostbite Aquathlon.
FULL WEEKEND RACE LISTINGS
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Stimpson wins in Abu Dhabi
Jodie Stimpson had a dream start to the season with gold at the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi. Helen Jenkins won bronze, demonstrating her class and setting up an enthralling battle for the third and final remaining British Olympic team slot next month.
Racing over the Olympic distance, athletes dived into the sea swim at the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club for a 1500m swim, followed by a 40km bike ride and 10km run. Jenkins had a superb swim, and Stimpson rode intelligently on the bike to get herself up to the front of the race by the start of the run.
Stimpson ran with Jenkins, Flora Duffy (BER) and Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) before making her move in the final 2km.
She said: “This winter couldn’t have gone any better. There are a group of us that haven’t made our Olympic slots yet so we’re extremely motivated.”
Commenting on the British Triathlon Olympic selection race on the Gold Coast next month, Stimpson added: “Me and Helen are great rivals. She’s a fantastic athlete and I have so much respect for her. We’re both in the same boat. Whoever has the best race in the Gold Coast goes, and if Helen beats me in the Gold Coast then she deserves to go and I can’t say more than that.”
Gentle won silver and Jenkins achieved an excellent podium finish after a season dogged by injury last year.
She said: “It shows that I’m moving in the right direction for our selection race in the Gold Coast. We’re going to fight it out and do our best, and that’s all we can do. I think I’ve got a little bit to improve in my run in the next few weeks.”
Adam Bowden finished 11th in the men’s race, which was won convincingly by Mario Mola (ESP), despite a 15 second penalty for equipment not being placed inside his transition box between the swim and run.
British Triathlon has pre selected four athletes for nomination to TeamGB. Non Stanford and Vicky Holland met the automatic selection criteria, and Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee have also been selected. All four opted not to compete in Abu Dhabi in order to focus on preparations for the summer. Jonathan Brownlee is expected to compete on the Gold Coast.
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Emma Pooley wins Powerman Malaysia
World Champion Brit dominates in Putrajaya
Perhaps as you might expect from a former Time Trial World Champion, Emma Pooley dominated today at Powerman Malaysia in Putrajaya, courtesy of a bike split that her competition could not come remotely close to.
Related Article - Emma Pooley launches new website
Taking a one minute lead at T1 after the opening 10km run over Japan's Airi Sawada, Pooley then hit the gas on two wheels to record a 1:34:59 bike split which was more than 11 minutes faster than anyone else. Closing with a 39:40 second run (just 1:12 slower than her opener), Pooley completed a 'fastest in all disciplines' domination which ended up with a huge 16 minute victory margin. She'll have tougher battles ahead this season as she targets the Olympic Games Time Trial in Rio, but a nice way to open up her 2016 racing season. Pooley is next scheduled to race Challenge Fuerteventura on 23rd April.
Australia's Thomas Bruin took the men's title, the key to his success a final 10km run which let him pull clear of Chicano (PHP) and Powerman Zofingen Champion Le Bellec (FRA).
Powerman Malaysia - Sunday 6th March 2016
10km / 60km / 10km
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Thomas Bruin (AUS) 2:35:53
Emma Pooley (GBR) 2:57:27
2nd
John Leerams Chicano (PHP) 2:39:19
Airi Sawada (JPN) 3:13:40
3rd
Gael Le Bellec (FRA) 2:40:42
Mirasol Abad (PHP) 3:15:40
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Kim Morrison wins 70.3 Buenos Aires
Kim Morrison opens first full Pro season with victory in Argentina
Close finishes at the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Buenos Aires
Great Britain's Kimberley Morrison told us as we previewed her appearance at Ironman 70.3 Buenos Aires today, that she was "excited to test out the improved speed and endurance that her training progress is indicating". Well, you can't do much more than win the first race of your first full season in the Pro ranks. May as well make it a winning margin of just nine seconds to keep things interesting!
After coming out of the water 90 seconds down on the USA's Heather Lendway, Morrison used her favourite discipline - the bike - to pull clear with a 2:18:28 split which was four minutes faster than the experienced Dede Griesbauer (USA), a former Ironman UK winner. She needed (almost) all of that, as Griesbauer returned the favour on the run, the gap at the finish was just nine seconds. Behind, Ariane Monticeli (BRA) a sub-nine iron-distance finisher was running close on 11 minutes faster than Morrison, but while it was enough to run through for the Bronze, it was the British athlete who took the honours. The top three were separated by just 45 seconds. Morrison, I'm sure, will enjoy her holiday in Argentina even more now (with $5,000 spending money, courtesy of the win).
There was close racing in the men's event too, where Sam Appleton (AUS) and Ben Hoffman (USA) spent most of the day in close order, with Appleton finally taking the top podium spot by just six seconds.
IRONMAN 70.3 Buenos Aires - Sunday 6th March 2016
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Sam Appleton (AUS) 3:45:33
Kimberley Morrison (GBR) 4:20:43
2nd
Ben Hoffman (USA) 3:45:49
Dede Griesbauer (USA) 4:20:52
3rd
Ben Collins (USA) 3:47:13
Ariane Monticeli (BRA) 4:21:28
4th
Fabio Carvalho (BRA) 3:49:49
Heather Lendway (USA) 4:24:06
5th
Mario De Elias (ARG) 3:52:31
Sofie Goos (BEL) 4:24:20
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Monster Racing Duathlon 2016
Liz Heselwood reports from the Monster Racing Duathlon (www.monsterracing.net), which took place on Sunday in dry, but rather chilly conditions.
FULL RESULTS
The Monster Racing Duathlon sponsored by Revitaflex took place on Sunday, 6th March. The event returned to Witchford Village College for the fifth year.
Monster Racing promise a fast and flat course perfect for shaking down the winter legs. 100 athletes clearly liked the look of Monster's promise and took part in the event; for many it was their first race of the season and the first test of their winter training. They followed the 5km run course taking in a disused WW2 airfield, before changing running shoes for their bike. They then cycled out into Fenland territory for 25km before a quick change back and heading off round the 5km run to finish. Sadly, the good weather order was not fulfilled and although dry the wind chill was far from pleasant the athletes.
First across the line in the men's race was Matthew Hallam (Jackpot Racing) in a time of 1:15:48. Second male was Marcus Sladden (Paradise Tri / Tri Anglia) 1:16:44, and third male was David Chesterman (UEA Triathlon Club) 1:18:37.
The women's race was won by Rebecca Layland (Nice tri) in a time of 1:30:03. Second female was Cindy Berry (UEA Triathlon Club) 1:32:47, and third female was Hannah Bye (UEA Triathlon Club) 1:36:38,
First and second placed athletes won cash prizes donated by Revitaflex, third place athletes won a voucher donated by Zone3. Tasty race nutrition was provided by Hammer Nutrition and 9Bar.
Age Group winners: 16 – 24 - Tom Huband (UEA Triathlon Club), 01:19:41 and Holly Prentice (UEA Triathlon Club), 01:49:47. 25 – 34 - Tom Platts (Charnwood AC), 01:18:55 and Gemma Irvine (Newmarket Cycling and Triathlon Club), 01:37:37. 35 – 44 - Michael Taylor (Nice Tri ), 01:19:41 and Charlotte Smith (Thetford AC), 01:36:56. 45 – 54 - Chris Tye (Ipswich Triathlon Club), 01:23:29 and Paola Peroni (Tri-Spoke), 01:45:28. 55+ - Graham Chapman (Ely Tri Club), 01:29:53 and Sue George (Threecountiesrc), 02:11:37. The winning male and female in the 16 – 24 category also ran away with a brand new pair of Alphawoolf trainers, an established brand newly available in the UK.
Athletes from local clubs Ely Tri Club and Ely Runners took part, in ordering of finishing: Kyle Armstrong (ETC) 01:23:25, Graham Chapman AG winner, Samantha Collins-Shirley (ER) 01:48:37, Ross Bailey (ETC) 01:49:57, Peter Vasey (ETC) 01:52:27 and Sandie Jardine (ETC) 02:02:03.
Event photos are available www.ian-greenphotography.com.
A Monster Racing spokesman said: “This event is so early in the race season making it is ideal for the athletes to put their winter training to the test, to establish what has worked and what needs a slight tweak to set them up of the season ahead. As always it was good to see many athletes take part in our duathlon and as always some familiar faces returned along! This event always attracts a mixed field, from first timers to pro athletes which creates a great atmosphere and fantastic viewing for the spectators as the top placed athletes battle it out for the top spots and prizes on offer!”
Monster Racing have a busy race season ahead, with events taking place all across East Anglia. Detail and entries for all events are open at www.monsterracing.net
The organisers would like to thank everyone who helped marshal, all competitors, all safety and ‘behind the scenes' crew as well all our sponsors. Thank you also to Witchford Village College for providing such a great facility.
Images courtesy of Ian-Green Photography.
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WTS Abu Dhabi: video highlights
World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2016 - race #1 of 2016 WTS season
The 2016 World Triathlon season kicked off on Saturday with the Olympic distance ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi. It would prove to be a superb day for British athletes, with Jodie Stimpson and Helen Jenkins finishing first and third respectively in the women's event. Superb performances from two athletes who are under intense pressure with just one spot remaining for the British Olympic Games team for Rio. Their final, as we understand it, showdown for Olympic selection will take place on the Gold Coast in five weeks time.
I said in the weekend preview of the men's race that, "statistical logic suggests that this is a race for either Mario Mola (ESP) or Richard Murray (RSA). Given they were first and third last year (with Luis second), that adds further credibility to that thought." That proved to be spot on, as despite missing the first group in the swim and incurring a transtition area penalty - 15 seconds to be served during the run - Mola was a comfortable winner with Richard Murray taking the Silver.
Check out the video highlights from the race here.
ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2016 - Elite Women
ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2016 - Elite Men
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Matt Bottrill's Dambuster Duathlon
Age Group win and bike course record for Matt Bottrill at Dambuster Duathlon
Multiple National Time Trial Champion Matt Bottrill enjoys first race of 2016
Matt Bottrill is a well-known name in sporting circles. Still right at the top of his game in the world of domestic time-trialling (Matt set Competition Records for 50-miles (1:34:43) and 25 miles (45:43) in 2014), it was with great interest that we heard last year that Matt was seeking new challenges from 2016, namely within triathlon. Taking on something new, when you could readily continue and pick up 20/30 wins per season in your current sport, shows real enthusiasm.
Related Article - Interview - Matt Bottrill: motivated to Tri
Having done no swimming "for years" and a running background which was primarily during his time as a postman, "so I could get my round done quicker", Matt is not arriving in 'our' world with a secret background or any expectation that it will be easy. Having spoken to him in person about it, he's just excited at trying something new to see how well he can do.
Matt's first race was on Saturday at the Dambuster Duathlon, which also hosted an ITU World's qualifier. Finishing the first run seven minutes back on the leaders, including eventual winner Daniel Jenkin (a 2:30 marathon runner, and recently 50th at the National XC Champs), once aboard his new Giant Trinity, he got into his stride and broke the bike course record, riding over three minutes and 30 seconds faster than anyone else, before dropping only two places on the final run for sixth overall.
We know that Matt will be racing the Outlaw Half, 70.3 Staffordshire, Dambuster Triathlon and The Vitruvian amongst others during 2016 and look forward to following his progress. Here is Matt's report from Saturday.
Dambuster Duathlon - Saturday 5th March 2016
Well this weekend I kicked of my multisport career with the Dambuster Duathlon. The event consisted of a 10km run-42km bike-5km bike. The run course was pretty flat but the bike course was really undulating. After the Team Bottrill launch the previous day, the adrenalin was flowing.
I had no idea what to expect in my first ever duathlon over the distance but knew I'd come well prepared, with a solid winter of training. I knew I wanted to break 40 minutes for the first run so I would need to keep to 6:30/min mile pace for the 10km. Once the run started I could soon see that the level of competition was very high. It would have been very easy to start fast and blow up at half way, but I had Gareth Pymm and Aaron Ward pacing me for the run section, so they kept the pace right. For the first run I did 39:26 for 88th place, some seven mins behind the leaders.
Once on the bike I knew I would come into my own. I'd love to say I felt like I was flying, but the first six miles I just felt dead! Then, all of a sudden everything just clicked and I was soon hitting the pace of 27-30mph. I really wanted to break the bike course record and managed to do this by a big chunk with 59:52 which pushed me up to fourth overall. Then the final run came, I felt really good for the first mile and again wanted to break 20mins. I stopped the clock with 19:42 which gave me 6th overall, fastest in my age group and a nice bike course record.
It was a great way to kick of my multisport career but know I've got a long way to go to make the transition. My goal is not just to try and break bike splits but also make the transition into the sport of triathlon. I know I'm only going to get faster at running and swimming from this point and I can't wait to see what the season brings. So, bring on the next one!
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Britain's Fastest Iron Women
[Updated for 2016 following Ironman Texas - Lucy Gossage and Laura Siddall]
Starting in 2009 and expanded ever since, I embarked on a project to pull together a variety of iron distance statistics and records. Links to all of the current reference articles can be found below, which variously cover both an International and a British perspective, finishing times and podium positions.
Part of this was for personal desire - I have a natural affinity to numbers, lists and records. When it comes to sports, I generally seem to have pretty good memory for facts and figures too. However, in relation to some of the information I was keen to find, I was surprised to find that I couldn't find data sets that I thought surely someone must have done this already? Apparently not. So, I went off and did it myself...
I've already looked at 'fastest times' on world level within the Sub-9 (women) and Sub-8 (men) articles, and was keen to investigate that a little further with my British hat on. Now, at least as far as the ladies are concerned - thanks to Chrissie Wellington, Bella Bayliss and Catriona Morrison (and others since I started!) - part of my work was already done. However, I wanted to look deeper than that, and beyond the barrier of a sub nine hour iron-distance finish, to try and compile a comprehensive list of the fastest British ladies iron-distance times.
What is collated below is my attempt to list every sub-nine hour 15 minute iron distance finish by British female athletes ever recorded.
British Female Iron Distance Finishes < 9 hours 15 minutes
Pos
Name
Event
Year
Swim
T1
Bike
T2
Run
Total
1
Chrissie Wellington
Roth
2011
00:49:49
00:01:56
04:40:39
00:01:17
02:44:35
08:18:13
2
Chrissie Wellington
Roth
2010
00:50:28
00:01:56
04:36:33
00:01:25
02:48:54
08:19:13
3
Chrissie Wellington
Roth
2009
00:50:28
00:02:10
04:40:28
00:01:23
02:57:32
08:31:59
4
Chrissie Wellington
South Africa
2011
00:51:40
00:01:56
04:45:23
00:02:03
02:52:54
08:33:56
5
Chrissie Wellington
Arizona
2010
00:51:56
00:02:48
04:47:06
00:01:28
02:52:55
08:36:13
6
Rachel Joyce
Roth
2014
00:52:43
00:01:42
04:43:11
00:01:30
03:03:21
08:42:25
7
Rachel Joyce
Roth
2012
00:47:37
00:01:39
04:54:37
00:01:20
02:59:53
08:45:04
8
Rachel Joyce
Melbourne
2012
00:52:34
00:01:59
04:44:47
00:01:37
03:05:02
08:46:09
9
Catriona Morrison
Roth
2009
00:51:46
00:02:09
04:48:55
00:01:25
03:03:57
08:48:11
10
Leanda Cave
Arizona
2011
00:52:08
00:04:50
04:51:07
00:02:05
02:58:52
08:49:00
11
Rachel Joyce
Texas
2013
00:54:02
00:02:21
04:42:29
00:02:55
03:07:27
08:49:14
12
Bella Bayliss
Klagenfurt
2009
00:54:04
00:03:31
04:49:41
00:02:35
03:00:20
08:50:13
13
Bella Bayliss
Klagenfurt
2008
00:53:11
00:02:42
04:48:12
00:02:21
03:04:49
08:51:17
14
Chrissie Wellington
Frankfurt
2008
00:48:34
00:02:45
04:57:17
00:01:04
03:01:44
08:51:24
15
Corinne Abraham
Frankfurt
2014
00:54:23
00:03:19
04:49:06
00:01:14
03:04:38
08:52:40
16
Jodie Swallow
Kalmar
2013
00:48:30
00:01:43
04:55:39
00:01:28
03:06:41
08:54:01
17
Chrissie Wellington
Hawaii
2009
00:54:31
00:02:15
04:52:06
00:02:05
03:03:05
08:54:02
18
Chrissie Wellington
Hawaii
2011
01:01:03
00:02:05
04:56:53
00:02:26
02:52:41
08:55:08
19
Leanda Cave
Kalmar
2014
00:49:39
00:02:21
04:57:21
00:02:03
03:05:26
08:56:50
20
Chrissie Wellington
Port Macquarie
2009
00:50:48
00:02:01
05:03:01
00:02:05
02:59:15
08:57:10
21
Rachel Joyce
Hawaii
2013
00:54:09
00:02:02
04:55:25
00:02:15
03:03:37
08:57:28
22
Catriona Morrison
Texas
2011
-
-
05:51:15
00:02:22
03:04:14
08:57:51
23
Leanda Cave
Texas
2015
00:53:13
00:02:34
04:47:43
00:02:40
03:12:02
08:58:12
24=
Lucy Gossage
Barcelona
2013
00:57:30
00:01:49
04:55:47
00:00:40
03:02:57
08:58:43
24=
Jodie Swallow
Frankfurt
2013
00:46:09
00:03:00
04:50:36
00:01:18
03:17:40
08:58:43
26
Leanda Cave
Hawaii
2011
00:53:54
00:02:03
04:58:41
00:02:15
03:06:36
09:03:29
27
Susie Hignett
Barcelona
2014
00:58:43
00:02:17
04:52:10
00:01:03
03:09:19
09:03:32
28
Liz Blatchford
Hawaii
2013
00:54:07
00:02:01
04:57:40
00:06:24
03:03:23
09:03:35
29
Chrissie Wellington
Port Macquarie
2008
00:53:27
00:01:52
05:06:43
03:01:53
09:03:55
30
Rachel Joyce
Hawaii
2014
00:56:47
00:01:55
04:56:49
00:02:25
03:06:27
09:04:23
31
Rachel Joyce
Texas
2015
00:53:08
00:02:32
04:52:35
00:02:47
03:14:00
09:05:02
32
Lucy Gossage
New Zealand
2016
00:55:45
00:03:39
04:51:39
00:01:55
03:12:10
09:05:08
33
Chrissie Wellington
Hawaii
2008
00:56:20
00:02:06
05:08:15
00:01:58
02:57:44
09:06:23
34
Corinne Abraham
Cozumel
2015
00:53:49
00:02:41
05:01:15
00:01:17
03:07:38
09:06:40
35
Rachel Joyce
Hawaii
2011
00:53:56
00:02:00
04:58:56
00:02:11
03:09:54
09:06:57
36
Bella Bayliss
Florida
2008
00:54:54
00:02:44
04:59:05
00:03:00
03:08:07
09:07:48
37
Rachel Joyce
South Africa
2011
00:51:06
00:01:44
05:02:29
00:02:34
03:10:30
09:08:23
38
Jodie Swallow
Frankfurt
2014
00:47:22
00:02:50
04:54:38
00:01:27
03:22:27
09:08:44
39
Chrissie Wellington
Hawaii
2007
00:58:09
00:02:21
05:06:15
00:02:03
02:59:57
09:08:45
40
Laura Siddall
New Zealand
2016
00:55:38
00:04:02
04:53:11
00:01:24
03:14:53
09:09:08
41
Catherine Faux
Roth
2014
00:55:42
00:02:21
04:57:28
00:01:50
03:12:28
09:09:47
42
Julie Dibens
Hawaii
2010
00:53:50
00:01:56
04:55:27
00:02:39
03:16:12
09:10:04
43
Rachel Joyce
Hawaii
2015
00:56:11
00:02:15
05:01:29
00:02:22
03:08:42
09:10:59
44
Corinne Abraham
Texas
2015
01:03:24
00:02:55
04:40:39
00:02:37
03:22:45
09:12:20
45
Leanda Cave
Cozumel
2015
00:47:21
00:02:53
05:05:22
00:01:36
03:16:17
09:13:29
46
Bella Bayliss
Florida
2007
00:55:31
00:02:35
05:00:53
00:02:38
03:11:57
09:13:34
47
Leanda Cave
Arizona
2010
00:51:13
00:02:50
04:59:55
00:01:40
03:18:12
09:13:50
48
Bella Bayliss
Florida
2009
00:59:49
00:04:27
04:56:19
00:02:10
03:11:07
09:13:52
49
Bella Bayliss
Western Australia
2007
00:55:33
05:05:14
03:13:38
09:14:25
# of Iron Distance Finishes < 9 hours 15 minutes by Athlete
Chrissie Wellington
12
Rachel Joyce
10
Bella Bayliss
6
Leanda Cave
6
Jodie Swallow
3
Corinne Abraham
3
Catriona Morrison
2
Lucy Gossage
2
Julie Dibens
1
Liz Blatchford
1
Catherine Faux
1
Susie Hignett
1
Laura Siddall
1
(13 Athletes)
49
Fastest British Female Iron Distance Athletes (Best Time Only)
Rank
Athlete
Best Time
Event
1
Chrissie Wellington
8:18:13
Challenge Roth 2011
2
Rachel Joyce
8:42:25
Challenge Roth 2014
3
Catriona Morrison
8:48:11
Challenge Roth 2009
4
Leanda Cave
8:49:00
Ironman Arizona 2011
5
Bella Bayliss
8:50:13
Ironman Austria 2009
6
Corinne Abraham
8:52:40
Ironman Euro Champs (Frankfurt) 2014
7
Jodie Swallow
8:54:01
Ironman Kalmar 2013
8
Lucy Gossage
8:58:43
Challenge Barcelona 2012
9
Susie Hignett
9:03:32
Ironman Barcelona 2014
10
Liz Blatchford
9:03:35
Ironman Hawaii 2013
11
Laura Siddall
9:09:08
Ironman New Zealand 2016
12
Catherine Faux
9:09:47
Challenge Roth 2014
13
Julie Dibens
9:10:04
Ironman Hawaii 2010
British Female Iron Distance Record Progression
Commentary
Before we start - and just for absolute clarity (!) - finishing times in any triathlon, and in Ironman/iron-distance in particular only tell part of a story. Courses are different, conditions are different and depending on who you believe, distances can vary too. Thus, work such as these listings is only part of an overall story. That said, times are a part of that story! Importantly, time is something that everyone 'gets', and being the fastest is a common theme among many sporting disciplines.
So, what does this tell us? Well, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to have predicted that Chrissie Wellington dominates this listing with twelve of the top forty fastest British iron distance times ever. Indeed, only once ever (Ironman Korea 2007, her first Ironman), has Chrissie not finished in a time of under nine hours and ten minutes. Given that men's race winner that day (Raynard Tissink) was the only male under 9:15 shows that her performance didn't reflect a 'slow start' to her Ironman career either! Perhaps the only worrying Chrissie stat I can find is that in her thirteen iron distance starts (and wins), she has actually suffered punctures three times. In Korea she arrived in T1 to find a flat that needed fixing, Kona 2008 was CO2-gate (!), while even when setting her blistering 8:36 in Arizona, the final miles of the bike were nursed home with a flat tyre. (Even Ironman South Africa 2011 required a tube change in T1 the day prior to the race...).
These figures also show just how consistent Bella Bayliss has been over the past decade, with six Ironman finishes below 9:15. This also included what were at the time British record figures in 2008 and 2009, both at Ironman Austria. Interestingly, in 2008 Austria fell one week after Ironman Germany, meaning that Chrissie's new GB best figures of 8:51:24 only lasted a week until Bella improved them by seven seconds. In 2009 the tables were turned, with Bella improving the British record again to 8:50:13, only for that to be smashed seven days later as Chrissie set not just a British, but a world best at Challenge Roth 2009. Was that a surprise? No - I'd (almost!) predicted it.... Of course, even that has been resigned to history after Challenge Roth 2010 - and was beaten AGAIN a year later.
Following the Ironman European Championships (Frankfurt) 2013, six other female Brits had broken 9:15 for iron-distance, bringing the total to eight. Following Kona 2013, Liz Blatchford made that nine and Corinne Abraham brought that into double figures when winning Frankfurt in 2014, Catherine Faux adding another at Challenge Roth 2014, with Susie Hignett at Ironman Barcelona 2014 and Laura Siddall (New Zealand 2016), the lastest additions.
Catriona Morrison's iron-distance debut of 8:48:11 at Challenge Roth in 2009 was, at the time, the fastest debut ever and at the time of writing that is still the 24th fastest time ever.
Leanda Cave improved her Ironman PB by over 10 minutes at the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championships - no easy task - and her time in Kona of 9:03:29 made her (at the time), the fourth fastest British female ever. Not content with that, just a month later she smashed her previous best - and won her first Ironman - with a fantastic 8:49:00 finish at Ironman Arizona. That meant that she leap-frogged Bella Bayliss, to become the third fastest ever Brit having started 2011 with a best time of 9:13:15 and finished over 24 minutes faster. Well, she was the third fastest ever Brit... until the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championships, Melbourne (2012), where Rachel Joyce has pushed her back into fourth place on this list.
Rachel Joyce first joined the list with her 9:08:23 for second place behind Muppet in Port Elizabeth, which might have been overshadowed by what was happening in front of her, but it was still a huge PB for the fast improving Joycinator who, after Melbourne 2012 and a stunning 8:46:09, has jumped from fifth to second place on the British all-time list behind Chrissie. Fourth place in Kona (2011), an ITU World Long Distance Champion and now a very swift Ironman time in a hugely competitive field. The Joyce star is rising. Fast. As if to prove it, Challenge Roth and an 8:45:04 finish is faster again... and in Kona in 2013, she was just one place away from being the Ironman World Champion, becoming only the fourth female (at the time), to finish under nine hours in Hawaii in the process. A new year, and a new PB - 8:42:25 at Challenge Roth 2014.
A new addition to this list in 2012 was the Duracell Bunny, Lucy Gossage who even stunned herself by winning Challenge Barcelona 2012 with a breakthrough 8:58:43 in Spain.
A new 2013 member of this list - and perhaps overdue given her undoubted potential - is Jodie Swallow, who recorded exactly the same time in finishing second in Frankfurt (2013) as Lucy did in Barcelona when she joined the 'sub-nine' club. Six weeks later and Jodie improved on that - and won her first Ironman - at Ironman Kalmar, finishing in a very impressive 8:54:01.
Kona 2013 saw Liz Blatchford, in the third Ironman of her debut season at the full distance finish in 9:03:35 to make the Kona podium at her first attempt. Had she not incurred a four minute penalty (for littering), she might well have made it to Ali'i Drive in under nine hours too.
Thirteen athletes then, seven of whom are either past or present world champions (and Lucy has a Silver plus Catherine Faux has multiple Age Group World's wins) - five of them more than once. Cream rises to the top, whether you are looking at results or times.
Of course, there was also one other good reason for doing all of this research. If Chrissie Wellington has an 8:18:13 finish to her name, and the British men's Ironman record is 8:01:29, where would Chrissie's best sit in the British men's ranking? The answer to that one is... HERE!
Tri247 Iron-Distance Statistics Library
Sub-9 iron ladies: a history
the definitive list of sub-nine hour female iron distance finishes
Sub-8 iron men: a history
the definitive list of sub-eight hour male iron distance finishes
British Ironman success: Ladies
the definitive record of Ironman® podium finishes by British female athletes
British Ironman success: Men
the definitive record of Ironman® podium finishes by British male athletes
British & Irish Iron Distance Records
the fastest ironman distance times achieved for England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales
Fastest British Iron Ladies
every sub-nine hour 15 minute iron-distance finish by British female athletes ever recorded.
Fastest British Iron Men
every sub-eight hour 30 minute iron-distance finish by British male (and female...) athletes ever recorded
Do you believe there is a performance missing here? If so, please do let me know via editor@tri247.com.
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Human Race MudMan 2016 report
Off-Road Series winners crowned after a suitably muddy MudMan
Saturday 5th March saw hundreds of hardy trail runners and duathletes flock to Camberley for the final event of the Winter Off-Road Series. MudMan is a notoriously tough course, with relentless hills and the famous water trap, making for a fitting final test.
Going into the series finale, the men's duathlon leaderboard promised for an exciting race, with only a few points separating the top three athletes. We were also looking forward to seeing another dominant performance from Charlie Elliott and Alice Hector, who had won both of the trail run events so far.
MudMan offers a 10km or 15km trail run alongside the duathlon, which consists of a 7.5km run, a 15km cycle, then a final 7.5km Run. Taking place on military training ground, the terrain is stony and muddy in equal measure, and the competition is always fierce.
Kicking off the day was the 10km run at 9:00, after a quick reminder to keep an eye out for rubber ducks – yes, ducks – along the course, as collecting one would mean a reward at the finish. A couple of minutes later, the start line got very noisy as our community of Canicross runners lined up for their start. The Off-Road Series welcomes dogs of all shapes and sizes to run alongside their owners, and this year's MudMan was no different. A special shout-out goes to Tom Quirke and Wanda, who came out top in the 10km.
Next to go at 9:15 was the 15km run, with Charlie Elliott heading up the field, ready to defend his position at the top of the trail run leaderboard. The duathletes then began to fill up transition, preparing for their kick-off at 10:15.
Maria Kowal was the first runner across the line in 48:40, taking the win for the ladies and beating the fastest male 10km runner of the day! Sophie Biggs came 2nd in 54:31 and Cathy Strickland came across the line in 3rd (56:49). Martin Hollywood was the first man, in 49:15. Jacob Batchelor (50:18) and James Dark (54:05) made up the podium.
Charlie Elliott tied up his overall series victory by once more dominating the 15km trail run, crossing the line in a storming 1:03:06. Alex Juggins came second in 1:05:52, then Jonathan Dunkley scooped up some more valuable series points by taking third position (1:07:42). Nicholas Brown's 5th position meant that the final leaderboard shows him and Jonathan tied for second place overall.
Alice Hector mirrored Charlie's dominance by taking her third victory in a row, crossing the line in 1:15:40 and securing her overall series victory. Jennifer Millett came second in 1:20:18 and Mina Gts completed the podium in 1:29:11. Katy Toms secured enough points to get herself up to third in the overall leaderboard behind Jennifer in second.
There was early drama in the men's duathlon race, with Rick Fetherston having to withdraw due to illness, leaving Ross Smith and Pete Wilby to fight it out for the overall series victory. Whoever crossed the line first would take the overall win, so it was all to play for. Harry Smith of East Sussex Tri Club came across the line first in 1:52:57 having blown everyone else away with two extremely quick runs. Everyone was craning their necks to see who would come round the final bend next – who would it be? Ross Smith stormed across the finish line in 1:54:55, securing his overall series victory ahead of Pete Wilby (1:57:39) in third. Alex Warner got himself up into third on the overall leaderboard with a strong performance, finishing in 9th position (2:03:56).
The women's duathlon series had so far been dominated by Jackie Field, who unfortunately couldn't race at MudMan. On the first run, Rachel Clay and Melanie Eyre were neck-and-neck, but Rachel produced a stunning bike leg to then give herself a comfortable lead going into the final run. She took the win and the overall series victory in 2:25:44, followed by Melanie in 2:29:06 and Louise Goddard in 2:40:55, whose strong third place performance secured her 2nd place overall on the series leaderboard.
All finishers were given a technical t-shirt to show off their achievement. Also up for grabs were SiS WHEY20 sachets and GO energy bars, with GO electrolyte drinks available at the drinks station.
The next event for Human Race is one of our favourites – the Lidl Kingston Breakfast Run on 3 April. Perfect for anyone training for a marathon, the event offers 20.1, 16.2 and 8.1 mile options, with one of the best goody bags around waiting for you at the finish line. Find out more and enter at www.humanrace.co.uk.
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