Triathlon Relays open and ready for Bank Holiday madness!
The award-winning Triathlon Relays are now open for entries with the event set for the Bank Holiday weekend of 27/28 August in Nottingham. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Relays, there will be plenty of activity on site to make it a great weekend of racing in a festival style atmosphere.
Back when the relays were first launched, there were just 40 teams taking part, a lot of skimpy lycra and Iain Hamilton, the race director, was 18 years old and running the event as a college project.
This year's event features men's, women's, mixed and open teams as well as the new elite-style team relays on Sunday. The elite-style relay format and team-trial-trial finals were a massive hit last year, contributing to the event winning Triathlon England's Event of the Year Award.
As usual there's on site camping, catering and an event expo as well as some new entertainments at the National Water Sports Centre to mark the event anniversary. There are various other activities including rafting, wake boarding, the sky trail, mini golf and segways.
The relays are aimed at any group of four people who want to compete as a team. It is not necessary to be a club member; anyone can compete as long as they can complete a 500m open water swim, 15km flat and fast bike ride and 5km flat run.
In order to compete for Triathlon England national titles, all four members of the team need to be Home Nations members and registered to the same club.
Saturday's standard relay format will see each member of the team individually completing each discipline, before tagging their teammate until all four people have completed each section and can cross the finishing line.
Sunday will see the 'elite style' triathlon relays followed by team time trial finals. Live music via DJs and crazy race commentary will make this all the more exciting to watch.
Entries are open now via www.onestepbeyond.org.uk. Don't miss out on the Bank Holiday fun!
Triathlon Relays: 2016 dates confirmed
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Windsor Duathlon: Elite Women Preview
Windsor Duathlon 2016 - Elite Women's Preview
This coming Sunday, 3rd April, sees the debut of a major new event from British Triathlon. The Windsor Duathlon (www.windsorduathlon.com) is based in the stunning surrounds of Windsor Great Park, and will host the British Duathlon Championships for Elite, Juniors, Youths, Age-Group and Para athletes.
Here, we preview the Elite Women's event which features one outstanding favourite - but with plenty of athletes thinking that they have a chance of joining her on the podium.
Course (MAP) - Draft-Legal (for Elite)
Run 1 - 5km (two laps)
Bike - 20km (four laps)
Run 2 - 2.5km (one lap)
Emma Pallant is the odds-on favourite...
Let's be very clear from the start - baring a mechanical issue, crash or similar - Emma Pallant is the overwhelming favourite to win this inaugural event and add to her extensive list of success on the domestic multisport circuit. Emma won the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Adelaide last October, and also won this equivalent event when it was based in Corby for the past two seasons. Last year, the weather turned the duathlon into just a 'run', while in 2014 although Emma won the race, she wasn't technically able to claim the British Championship title. So, this should offer her first opportunity to complete a 'run-bike-run' AND earn the British Elite Duathlon title.
So who will be chasing Emma? The contenders...
Gillian Palmer finished fifth in Corby two years ago and has been a regular in the GB Elite Duathlon team at World and European Championships in recent years, which included a Bronze medal two years ago in Pontevedra in the 4xMixed Relay World Championship event.
Michelle Dillon. Yes, really! Coach to Emma Pallant, as we highlighted last week (link below), Michelle is going to race, having retired back in 2008 at which point she had major surgery on her spine. Michelle has been running consistently over recent years for fitness - and her parkrun times suggest she is in good shape. With her experience, she should be able to cycle well too within, we suspect, a chase group. A podium position is perhaps too much to expect... but she's a former World Duathlon Champion and two-time Olympian. She wouldn't be there if she didn't think she could perform strongly.
Related Article: Michelle Dillon to race British Elite Champs
Alice Hector will be racing back-to-back duathlon championship events having taken Silver in the Scottish Champs on Sunday. Her primary focus in Middle and Long distance racing this year, but as a local athlete the course should be very well known to her, even if draft-legal racing probably isn't.
Victoria Gill has been developing into a tri/duathlete over the last five seasons having come into the sport from a pure running background. She won the Age-Group World Duathlon Championships in 2010 (Edinburgh) and has since collected Bronze and Silver over the last two seasons at the ETU Long Distance European Championships. Sprint distance, draft-legal racing would appear to be at the opposite end of her current sporting goals, but she could be an outsider for a podium position.
Hannah Kitchen has excelled in recent years in Aquathlon, winning several World and European Elite medals. Her 2015 season was severely compromised by very little run training due to injury, but she seems to be over that now and getting back to full health. She took sixth place at Corby in this Championship two years ago.
Fenella Langridge had an excellent race when finishing fourth last year at the London Triathlon and also took fifth at Tri Liverpool, performances which certainly suggest she will be fighting for one of the top positions in Windsor Greak Park.
Related Article: Tri the Beast - Fenella Langridge
For the full start list - CLICK HERE.
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Date change for Cardiff Triathlon weekend
Sprint and Super Sprint to Take Place on Sunday of the Cardiff Triathlon Weekend 2016
Always Aim High Events have taken the decision to move the Sprint and Super Sprint distances of the Cardiff Triathlon 2016 to the Sunday of the race weekend (26th June 2016).
The decision was made due to certain logistical challenges, which were made to ensure the smooth running of the event, and to give the best possible experience to entrants and spectators alike.
The Cardiff Triathlon will continue to be a great weekend. The registration will still take place on Saturday with plenty happening both at the venue and in the Cardiff Bay area to get involved with.
Located in the iconic Cardiff Bay, this triathlon is one not to miss! You will swim in the legendary Cardiff Bay, cycle on the flat scenic roads around Cardiff and finish with a stunning run out to the Cardiff Bay Barrage. The Event Village and transition zone will be held on Roald Dahl Plass in front of the iconic Wales Millennium Centre.
With Olympic, Sprint and, brand new for 2016, a Super Sprint distance available, the Cardiff Triathlon is perfect for all abilities.
Race entries for competitors will automatically be transferred to the Sunday so there is no need to do anything differently. If a competitor is now unavailable due to the change of date, contact Always Aim High Events immediately for a full event refund or for a transfer to another Always Aim High event (terms and conditions apply).
If you require any further information please contact Always Aim High Events on 01248 723553 or email: info@alwaysaimghighevents.com.
To find out more about the Cardiff Triathlon 2016, visit the website: www.cardiff-tri.com.
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Triathlete wins Coal Carrying World Champs!
Damian Cameron: from Kona to World Coal Carrying Champion!
If you are a regular Tri247 reader, you'll be familiar that on a fairly regular basis we do cover sport outside of the strict confines of triathlon. In particular, we try to keep a close eye on how multisport athletes get on when competing in the single sport disciplines, whether that is through the cross country season, the London Marathon, National Cycling Time Trial Championships, Masters swimming and many more examples over the years. At heart, we are sports fans (geeks?!), just as much as we are triathletes. Variety is the spice of life and all that.
However, I don't think we've featured - until now - the World Coal Carrying Championships. And guess what? A 'triathlete' only went and won it...! Well, the Vets category at least.
Earlier today I published my now annual Prize money in British triathlon feature, and I received and interesting response via Twitter from Damian Cameron:
@tri247 The annual World Coal Carrying Champs in Yorkshire pays £750 for the winner.... puts most events on that list to shame! #coalrace— Damian Cameron (@damo3633) March 29, 2016
Interesting I thought, so I clicked on Damian's Twitter profile and noted...
"Firefighter, Army Reservist, Triathlete, 2016 World Coal Carrying Vets Champion!"
Clearly, Damian knew a bit more about it than just the prize money on offer... oh, and is that evidence of a Kona appearance too?
With that, I had to find out more about the event which actually took place yesterday (Monday 28th March 2016), so I contacted Damian to find out more:
"The event is held every Bank Holiday Monday and is basically a 1.1km uphill sprint carrying a 50kg (8 stone) sack of coal! The winners are crowned 'World Coal Carrying Champion'. People from around the world travel to the event.
"There is a Men's open race (50kg), Women's race (25kg) and a Veterans race (50kg).
"I'm always up for new challenges and took part in this a few years ago and massively underestimated it and was shocked how hard it was.
"I entered again in 2014 and came second in the Vets race which gave me the thirst for more! I missed the event in 2015 due to injury and had to wait until this year for another go.
"I'm in training for Challenge Venice and Ironman Frankfurt and am being coached by Frank Senders which has really boosted my training, and at 42 years of age I feel the fittest I've ever been. So, I thought 2016 had to be my best chance...
"I can only describe it as one long continuous hill rep carrying the weight of the wife on my shoulders which pushes your forward and chin on your chest, discovering a new max heart rate whilst feeling like you are being starved of oxygen!! The result was my first ever win at an event and crowned 2016 World Coal Carrying Vets Champion!!
"It's a great event, well organised and supported by 1500 spectators. The local community rally behind it and make it one of the friendliest events I've ever been to. I say pencil it into your bucket list!"
Related Article: BBC coverage of the World Coal Carrying Championships
And Kona? Yes, Damian did indeed race Kona in 2014 - after winning the Kona Lottery earlier that year. "Yep, Kona was a lottery entry, I will never be fast enough to qualify I'm afraid. I tore my hamstring doing it though and am only just getting back to fitness."
Well Damian, you may well not qualify for Kona - but how many people will ever be a World Coal Carrying Champion!
Has this inspired you to take part next year? Here is the event website with all of the details you need: http://www.gawthorpemaypole.org.uk/?page_id=21.
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How to race The Bastion
With its third edition coming up this year on 10th July, The Bastion at Hever Castle has established itself as one of the toughest triathlon challenges in the UK. The iron-distance event is also one of the most scenic you'll find, all based from the historic grounds of Anne Boleyn’s childhood home.
The 2015 winner was Australian Darren Jenkins (www.darrenjenkins.com), so he should know how to approach the event - and here he shares his tips for success.
Champion Darren Jenkins reviews and offers tips on The Bastion at Every Castle
Australian professional triathlete Darren Jenkins, reflects on his 2015 win at The Bastion iron-distance triathlon
at Hever Castle, part of the Castle Triathlon Series, and looks forward to defending his title later this year.
Related Article: Jenkins and Fowler win at The Bastion
You can follow Darren’s training and racing this year at www.darrenjenkins.com or on Twitter @_nevagivin.
Here is his review of the 2015 edition of The Bastion, including some top tips for those who are taking on The Bastion in 2016.
In a little under three months’ time, the historic grounds of Anne Boleyn’s childhood home, Hever Castle, will come to
life for the third running of the annual Bastion full distance triathlon. The UK is the home of tough iron-distance
races and the Bastion is right up there among the toughest, with only one finisher ever to have cracked the 10 hour
mark.
Related Article: Cartmell and Hector win The Bastion 2014
The day begins with a two lap swim in the Hever Castle lake. The 38 acre lake was constructed by 800 men working
continuously day and night, excepting Sundays, for two years straight from 1904-1906. Beginnings like this make the
lake the perfect setting for a gruelling endurance swim over 3.8km, even if it is a Sunday.
With a mass start in front of the Italian Loggia, each lap passes the Japanese Tea House before turning into the
magical tree lined river section, circumnavigating a lap of Sixteen Acre Island. While navigation is simple, it is
important to stay in the middle of the river section to avoid the lily pads, overhanging branches and any obstacles
closer to the bank. Take the opportunity to swim train in the lake on the Friday if you can make it so that you get
a feel for this unique swim course. Once you exit the water and head out onto the bike the tough aspects of the
course really begin.
This ride is an honest individual effort with three laps of 60km making up 180km through the Ashdown Forest and a
total over 2500m of climbing according to my Garmin. Recommendation here is for at least a 28t rear gear and a
36t on the front for all except the most confident of riders. The first of many hills is within 2km of the start of the
bike and goes on for a little over 3km. It is imperative to preserve the legs on this course by staying on top of a
manageable gear on the hills. Settle into a seated rhythm as there are plenty more hills to come!
The steepest hill is out of Groombridge coming in at a little over 7% on my Garmin. The beauty of a three lap course
like this is you can build your way into the race. Take the opportunity to settle into your own pace on the first lap,
learn the climbs and the descents and save a little energy early. This way you can push a little harder each lap and
come through strong to T2. This is not the bike course that you want to blow at the 140k mark, which would make
for a very unforgiving marathon indeed!
For me it is always heading out onto the marathon that the fun really begins. The run at The Bastion is four laps of
quintessentially British cross country running through the grounds of Hever and Chiddingston Castles. The best tip
of all for this run is to not blow all of your bickies on the bike!
You are going to need your hill climbing strength along with the extra grip and agility afforded from off-road
running shoes to tackle this one with success. With the current run record set at 3.15, from an ironman athlete who
breaks the three hour barrier at will, come prepared to take a little punishment in beautiful surroundings. The aid
stations and support along the way is exceptional and the finish line is a very welcome relief made all the more
special by the toughness of its acquisition. If you can make it to this finish line on July 10th then you can be
confident of a finish at all of those other tough British iron distance races.
The Bastion Festival of Endurance open for entry
Whilst The Bastion challenge remains the ultimate long-distance experience in the UK, it will be joined on the
triathlon calendar by the now bi-annual Gauntlet Half-Iron Triathlon (already one of the most popular long
distance events in its September edition), the Hever Long Swims and the Hever Long Aquabike. The aquabike and
open water swim events providing the definitive long course supported training experience, as well as being
competitive races in their own right, with all the atmosphere of a major triathlon running at the same time.
Related Article: Castle Series adds 2nd Gauntlet Triathlon at Hever Castle
All the events, including The Bastion iron-distance triathlon, are now open for entry with an early bird 10%
discount, with race places limited for 2016. Enter HERE.
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Brownlee Brothers launch special edition yoghurt
Extending their partnership with gourmet yoghurt brand The Collective (www.thecollectivedairy.com) - who supported the kids duathlon at their 2015 Brownlee Tri - the Brownlee Brothers have teamed up with the brand to launch special edition 'Brownlee Apple & Blackberry' edition yoghurt.
Launching now and available for a period of four months, the limited edition will also raise funds for the Brownlee Foundation - an initiative which works to give children in the UK a positive and fun sporting experience as well as encourage regular outdoors activity.
THE COLLECTIVE PARTNERS WITH OLYMPIC & WORLD CHAMPIONS THE BROWNLEE BROTHERS TO LAUNCH A VERY BRITISH LIMITED EDITION
Winning combination of Bramley apple and blackberry released to raise money for the Brownlee Foundation
Gourmet yoghurt brand The Collective (www.thecollectivedairy.com) has partnered with medal-winning Olympic triathletes and brothers, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, to launch a Bramley Apple & Blackberry Limited Edition to raise money for the Brownlee Foundation (www.thebrownleefoundation.org).
Available from March 2016, five pence from each pot sold will be donated directly to the initiative, which works to give children in the UK a positive and fun sporting experience and to encourage regular activity in the great outdoors – core values that directly reflect those of The Collective.
Olympic and world champions, the Brownlee brothers have created a gourmet yoghurt inspired by another British hero, the apple and blackberry crumble: a national and comforting culinary classic.
Each brother selected their favourite fruit to create this new and bespoke 'Brownlee Apple & Blackberry' edition, using The Collective's signature double layering technique to produce the UK's only yoghurt featuring two different separately layered fruit conserves.
Glistening at the top of each tub is Alistair's 'Brownlee apple' compote, made from real British Bramley apples and subtly infused with cinnamon and nutmeg. A stalwart of the nation's culinary heritage, the Bramley has been perking up pies, tarts and crumbles for centuries and is the fluffiest and most delicious cooker available. Its iconic tangy taste packs the conserve full of zing and freshness.
Underneath sits Jonny's blackberry compote. Produced from sweet and juicy ripe British blackberries, it delivers a deep purple colour and delightful scent that marries perfectly with the fragrant spices of the Bramley apple.
The conserves are folded above and below The Collective's luxurious and thick live yoghurt. Made using the finest West Country milk, it brings a silky smooth texture and clean creamy taste that delicately balances the powerful fruity flavours in the recipe.
The compotes can be enjoyed one at a time or mixed together with the yoghurt to recreate the comforting tastes of homemade apple and blackberry pie, but with a lighter finish for those looking for a guilt-free snack.
With 2016 a big year for sport and spending more time in the great outdoors, this yoghurt, layered with British blackberries and Bramley apples, captures everything that Brits love about the countryside, making it the perfect addition to any picnic spread or al fresco dining occasion.
Alistair and Jonny Brownlee say about the collaboration with The Collective: "We are so excited to have created this delicious Limited Edition that features our favourite flavours – Bramley apple and British blackberries. We are big fans of The Collective. Their yoghurts pack a real punch and the fact that they are made with natural ingredients, which are full of live cultures, makes them an ideal snack or dessert.
"The Collective has the same vision as us to encourage children in the UK to become more active and appreciate their surroundings. We are delighted that the sales of this yoghurt will help to raise money for the Brownlee Foundation, funding sporting triathlon events that are designed to motivate children and families to embrace exercise in a fun and enjoyable way."
Through teaming up with the Brownlee brothers, and sales of the Limited Edition, The Collective will be raising money to help run five Foundation Days in Yorkshire in June 2016. Throughout the events, kids will swim, cycle and run and will be congratulated with a medal and a Suckies pouch.
Over the five days it is estimated that 5,000 children will take part in a mini triathlon and every participant will be provided with a goodie bag, which will contain samples from The Collective of a Suckies chilled portable pouch for children that are the ideal healthy snack to enjoy while out and about.
Like the whole of The Collective's range, the Bramley Apple & Blackberry Limited Edition is free from artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Only 5% fat, it is suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free diets and is packed with live cultures.
The yoghurt will be available nationwide at Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ocado, Whole Foods Market, Booths, Asda and Nisa, from March 2016 with an RRP of £2.00 for a 450g pot.
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High5 launch IsoGel X'treme
High5 launch IsoGel X'treme with 100mg of caffeine
WIN £300 of HIGH5 products to celebrate new product launch
Developed with Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, British nutrition brand High5 have launched a new energy gel - IsoGel X'treme - a caffeinated gel with 100mg of caffeine 'for an extra edge during your training session or race'. By comparison, their existing EnergyGel Plus and
IsoGel Plus contain 30mg of caffeine per sachet.
To celebrate the product launch, High5 are running a competition to win £300 worth of HIGH5 products including the new gel. More on that here: http://highfive.co.uk/isogel-xtreme-launch.
High5 IsoGel X'treme
HIGH5, the award winning sports nutrition brand, are delighted to launch IsoGel X'treme. This 100mg
caffeine energy gel is made with real fruit juice, including Pineapple, Mango and Passionfruit juices.
Wendy Lee, HIGH5 General Manager, said: "We started working on
this gel in 2015 after the Head of Performance Support and Medical
at Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, Dr. Carol Austin, asked if it
was possible for HIGH5 to make a gel with a higher caffeine content.
The riders were looking for something that would give them a boost
towards the end of races. Our current ranges of EnergyGel Plus and
IsoGel Plus contain 30mg of caffeine per sachet."
"We wanted to stick to our principles by using real fruit juice and no artificial sweeteners. However, it isn't
that straightforward. Caffeine typically tastes very bitter and artificial sweeteners are often used to disguise
that taste. We're really happy with the new product! Many of our pro athletes, including the riders from Team
Dimension Data for Qhubeka, have already been using it successfully since the beginning of this year."
The performance effects of caffeine are well known and scientifically proven. When taking part in tough
sporting events, caffeine contributes to an increase in endurance performance and capacity. This means
you can go further than before! It also helps to increase your concentration and reaction time, not just
during sport but in every day use.
"We greatly appreciate the R&D investment HIGH5 has made to deliver a 100mg caffeine gel that meets
our professional performance needs" says Carol Austin, "The IsoGel X'treme is a unique new fruit juice
formulation. Rider feedback to date has affirmed the gel's palatability and effectiveness."
HIGH5 IsoGel is a fresh tasting gel that has a consistency more like a sports drink. Unlike many
other gels, you don't need to drink extra water when you need a fast convenient energy boost.
To mark the product launch, you can win £300 worth of HIGH5 products, including
IsoGel X'treme. For more details and to enter visit our competition page here.
HIGH5 IsoGel X'treme is available from all good sports shops and online.
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Prize money in British triathlon 2016
Prize money in British triathlon 2016
Are you feeling fast ahead of the new season? If so, then this feature could be for you if you are looking to turn your swim / bike / run skills into cash...
I first put together this feature for the 2014 season (and repeated again last year), and it has proven to be a very popular and well utilised resource for plenty of British-based elite athletes. So, here is the first draft of my 2016 prize money in British triathlon review.
The life of a Professional triathlete is a tough one. I regularly hear Age Group athletes talk about the idea of 'living the dream' and turning Pro, but the reality is that financially, the prize money in triathlon is unlikely to change the lives (or even pay the costs), of most athletes' basic living and training requirements. Those at the (very) pinnacle of our sport are doing very well indeed, and are earning a not inconsiderable income from the racing performances that the very best deserve - but you don't have to go too far down the performance food-chain at all before simple maths tells you that if you are basing your future income on expected prize money earnings, you are taking a not inconsiderable risk... and the odds really are not stacked in your favour.
Check out Joe Skipper's quote of relief after finishing second at Ironman Texas 2015:
"Thank god for that, otherwise I would have been lining up outside the job centre on Wednesday morning."
The most valuable race in the UK this season will be the Columbia Threadneedle ITU World Triathlon Leeds. That event offers a total of $150,000 with $18,000 for first place and pays 20-deep. The World Series event in 2015 was in London, where 20th position ($1,000), finished just 57 seconds behind Alistair Brownlee. It's a very fine line at the top level of the sport.
That said, the purpose of this article is not to discuss the merits or otherwise of Professional triathlon.
Instead, I wanted to try and build a picture of prize money opportunities for triathlon (and duathlon) events within Great Britain.
There are actually a significant number of multisport events within our borders that do offer prize money. Now, in most all cases we are not talking lottery-winning figures, but certainly more events than perhaps the public (and, even those athletes arguably qualified to win it?), are often aware of.
So, after a lot of searching around, contacting race organisers and speaking to athletes, this is my attempt to collate the following:
British events that offer a (minimum) £1000 cash prize purse
I know there are a considerable number of other events which offer cash prizes which don't meet that threshold (and many thanks to the organisers and sponsors for those), along with plenty of events which offer significant non-financial prizes, but a baseline figure seemed like a reasonable why to try and pull together a complete(ish?) list.
Have I missed any? I'm sure that, despite a significant amount of research and questioning that a few may well have slipped through my fingers. If that sounds like your race - or a race you know of - please do get in touch with the details via editor@tri247.com, so that we can update for you so we can attempt to compile the definitive record. Similarly, if you are an event organiser and any of the details here need correcting, please do get in touch with me.
©www.SussexSportPhotography.com
Note: for the purposes of this listing I have limited entries to cash prize purses available for finishing position in that race only. For example, if an event is part of a series (e.g. ITU World Triathlon Series, Castle Triathlon Series as examples), then aggregate results from a number of performances within that grouping may make an athlete eligible for a series prize/bonus in addition to the individual race prize. For clarity and consistency, those elements do not form part of this data. Athletes are encouraged to visit the race website concerned for more details on how these bonus/series prizes are distributed. While 'best efforts' have been made in compiling this listing (and additions and amends will be made if/when identified), athletes should confirm in advance with organisers the details of prize money and not rely completely on this listing.
I have collated the race data in two formats:
Arranged by highest aggregate prize purse for the event
Arranged by date
GB Prize Money Races 2016 - By Prize Purse Size **
Date
Event
Cash Prize Purse (GBP)
First Prize (GBP)
12/06/2016
ITU WTS Leeds (USD 150k)
£107,000
£12,850
17/07/2016
Ironman UK (USD 50k)
£36,000
£7,200
12/06/2016
Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire (USD 25k)
£18,000
£3,600
18/09/2016
Ironman Wales (USD 25k)
£18,000
£3,600
14/08/2016
British Triathlon Championships - Tri Liverpool
£15,000
£2,100
07/08/2016
AJ Bell London Triathlon
£12,000
£3,000
11/09/2016
Ironman 70.3 Weymouth (USD 15k)
£10,700
£2,140
03/04/2016
British Elite Duathlon Champs - Windsor Duathlon
£5,000
£1,000
03/07/2016
The 'Equalizer' Middle Distance Triathlon - DETAILS
£5,000
£2,000
10/07/2016
The Bastion at Hever Castle
£4,950
£1,250
05/06/2016
Bloodwise Blenheim Palace Triathlon
£4,800
£1,000
05/06/2016
Bala Middle (see notes) Welsh Middle Distance Champs
£4,200
£600
04/09/2016
Bala Standard (see notes)
£4,200
£600
26/04/2016
Stockton Duathlon Festival (Standard Distance, TE Champs)
£2,000
£500
24/07/2016
Castle Howard (Olympic)
£2,000
£600
24/07/2016
Castle Howard (The Gauntlet)
£2,000
£600
25/09/2016
Hever Castle (Olympic)
£2,000
£600
25/09/2016
Hever Castle (The Gauntlet)
£2,000
£600
27/03/2016
Stirling Duathlon (Scottish Champs*)
£1,400
£400
29/05/2016
Scottish Aquathlon Champs, Knockburn Loch*
£1,400
£400
10/07/2016
Knockburn Sprint Triathlon (Scottish Sprint Champs*)
£1,400
£400
07/08/2016
Aviemore Triathlon (Scottish Cross Tri Champs*)
£1,400
£400
21/08/2016
Aberfeldy Middle (Scottish Middle Champs*)
£1,400
£400
28/08/2016
Lochore Country Park Triathlon (Scottish Standard Champs*)
£1,400
£400
08/05/2016
Monster Mojo Triathlon sponsored by Revitaflex
£1,200
£450
21/08/2016
Monster Middle Triathlon sponsored by Revitaflex
£1,200
£450
26/06/2016
Cholmondeley Castle (Olympic)
£1,000
£300
26/06/2016
Cholmondeley Castle (The Gauntlet)
£1,000
£300
12/06/2016
Eastbourne Triathlon
£1,000
£300
18/06/2016
Titan Middle Distance - Brecon
£1,000
£500
02/07/2016
Titan Middle Distance - Dartmoor
£1,000
£500
18/09/2016
Titan Middle Distance - Weston
£1,000
£500
GB Prize Money Races 2016 - By Date **
Date
Event
Cash Prize Purse (GBP)
First Prize (GBP)
27/03/2016
Stirling Duathlon (Scottish Champs*)
£1,400
£400
03/04/2016
British Elite Duathlon Champs - Windsor Duathlon
£5,000
£1,000
26/04/2016
Stockton Duathlon Festival (Standard Distance, TE Champs)
£2,000
£500
08/05/2016
Monster Mojo Triathlon sponsored by Revitaflex
£1,200
£450
29/05/2016
Scottish Aquathlon Champs, Knockburn Loch*
£1,400
£400
05/06/2016
Blenheim Palace Triathlon
£4,800
£1,000
05/06/2016
Bala Middle (see notes) Welsh Middle Distance Champs
£4,200
£600
12/06/2016
ITU WTS Leeds (USD 150k)
£107,000
£12,850
12/06/2016
Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire (USD 25k)
£18,000
£3,600
12/06/2016
Eastbourne Triathlon
£1,000
£300
18/06/2016
Titan Middle Distance - Brecon
£1,000
£500
26/06/2016
Cholmondeley Castle (Olympic)
£1,000
£300
26/06/2016
Cholmondeley Castle (The Gauntlet)
£1,000
£300
02/07/2016
Titan Middle Distance - Dartmoor
£1,000
£500
03/07/2016
The 'Equalizer' Middle Distance Triathlon - DETAILS
£5,000
£2,000
10/07/2016
The Bastion at Hever Castle
£4,950
£1,250
10/07/2016
Knockburn Sprint Triathlon (Scottish Sprint Champs*)
£1,400
£400
17/07/2016
Ironman UK (USD 50k)
£36,000
£7,200
24/07/2016
Castle Howard (Olympic)
£2,000
£600
24/07/2016
Castle Howard (The Gauntlet)
£2,000
£600
07/08/2016
London Triathlon
£12,000
£3,000
07/08/2016
Aviemore Triathlon (Scottish Cross Tri Champs*)
£1,400
£400
14/08/2016
British Triathlon Championships - Tri Liverpool
£15,000
£2,100
21/08/2016
Aberfeldy Middle (Scottish Middle Champs*)
£1,400
£400
21/08/2016
Monster Middle Triathlon sponsored by Revitaflex
£1,200
£450
28/08/2016
Lochore Country Park Triathlon (Scottish Standard Champs*)
£1,400
£400
04/09/2016
Bala Standard (see notes)
£4,200
£600
11/09/2016
Ironman 70.3 Weymouth (USD 15k)
£10,700
£2,140
18/09/2016
Ironman Wales (USD 25k)
£18,000
£3,600
18/09/2016
Titan Middle Distance - Weston
£1,000
£500
25/09/2016
Hever Castle (Olympic)
£2,000
£600
25/09/2016
Hever Castle (The Gauntlet)
£2,000
£600
** Note to above listings
Information is presented in Sterling or Sterling equivalent. IRONMAN (USD) and ITU (USD) prize purses are quoted/paid in foreign currency. These have been converted to an approx Sterling value based of market rate at the time of writing (March 2016). As such, these values will fluctuate, but should still provide a realistic estimate baring a major economic shift.
For the Bala events, the quoted prizes on the race website are £6,000 (subject to entry numbers). The values shown here are lower than that, reflecting the minimum expected 'cash' element of the overall prize fund, confirmed with the event organiser: "At least 70% of this is cash, again subject to any sponsorship prizes we may have available to give out." Thus, the actual financial amounts come race day may be slightly higher than I have quoted above.
The Eastbourne Triathlon "will also offer a £1,000 prize purse should the event attract 300 or more entries."
At the Castle Series races, alongside the prize money quoted for individual events, there are also additional series prizes (£600, £300, £100) for the top three finishers in both the Gauntlet and Olympic Distance Series - to qualify for this, you need to complete three series races of the same distance. As this does not relate to a specific event, this has not been included in the tables above.
* Prize money at Scottish Champs is eligible to first three Triathlon Scotland members only.
©Delly Carr / ITU Media / www.triathlon.org
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Chilly Triathlon: entries still available
Ready to start your triathlon season this coming Sunday...?
Late entry is available for the Chilly Triathlon based in Luton
The big domestic race of the coming weekend, 3rd April, is the inaugural running of the Windsor Duathlon, the British Duathlon Championships. That however, is sold out.
Should you wish to take on a TRIathlon in the UK this weekend, there is still an open option - late entries are still currently available for the first Chilly Triathlon (www.chillytriathlon.co.uk) in Luton. Worried it might be too cold? Well, a clever twist in format at this debut event has resolved that issue for you too.
The Chilly Triathlon is organised by ActiveTrainingWorld and will be held at Inspire Sports Village, Luton on April 3rd 2016.
As this is a very early season race there is a twist in the race format to allow competitors to stay warm. The time between swim and bike (T1) is excluded from the results so competitors can dry off and wrap up warm before they start their bike leg.
The Chilly Triathlon caters for triathletes of all abilities with a 400m pool swim, 20k bike and 5k run
The swim takes place in the 50m pool at Inspire Sports Village where the TV series Splash is filmed. After a leisurely T1 competitors head out to the quiet but undulating country lanes around Kings Walden and Ley Green. The run leg is very flat with a scenic out-and-back run along a quiet road and bridleways. The race finishes back at the sports centre where you will be rewarded with a custom medal, sports bottle and a Chilly Tri beanie hat!
The entry fee is just £40!
To book your place visit www.chillytriathlon.co.uk
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Ironkids race is a sellout
Places for the world's largest Ironkids – held in Bolton - have sold out in record time.
All 2,500 slots have now been snapped up for the running event, which takes place on Saturday, July 16.
Ironkids has become a key fixture on Bolton's events calendar following its introduction in 2012.
It takes place the day before the main Ironman event – a gruelling 140.6mile triathlon – which takes in locations in and around Bolton.
Bolton Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Youth, and Sport, Cllr John Byrne, said: "It's brilliant news that the race has sold out in record time once again.
"The event is hugely successful - 2,500 children from all over the world come here to compete.
"Together with Ironman the whole weekend brings a huge boost to Bolton and the wider region."
Managing Director for Ironman UK and Ireland, Kevin Stewart, added: "Selling out two months earlier than last year demonstrates how much Ironkids has become a major part of the Ironman UK race weekend.
"It is fantastic to see the enjoyment that the children get from finishing under the Ironman finish arch and receiving their medal."
Children aged three to 14 compete in Ironkids with different distances depending on the school year of the child.
Those in school year one and below compete in a 500m run (accompanied by a parent/guardian); those in years two to five run 1km; years six to eight run 1.5km and those in years nine to 10 complete a 2.5km run.
Each child receives an Ironkids t-shirt in their entry pack and a medal after completing the run.
For more information call Ironman UK on 01865 596266 or visit www.ironkids.co.uk.
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Windsor Duathlon: Elite Men Preview
Windsor Duathlon 2016 - Elite Men Preview
This coming Sunday, 3rd April, sees the debut of a major new event from British Triathlon. The Windsor Duathlon (www.windsorduathlon.com) is based in the stunning surrounds of Windsor Great Park, and will host the British Duathlon Championships for Elite, Juniors, Youths, Age-Group and Para athletes.
Having previously previewed the Elite Women, who are the names to watch out for in the Elite Men's race?
Course (MAP) - Draft-Legal (for Elite)
Run 1 - 5km (two laps)
Bike - 20km (four laps)
Run 2 - 2.5km (one lap)
The favourite?
Phil Wylie (#392) is the most distinguished duathlete - at senior level - on the start list. He won an excellent race at the equivalent Elite Champs two years ago at Rockingham circuit in Corby, when a group of eight athletes (including, in final finishing order behind Phil; Aaron Harris, Calum Johnson, Danny Russell, David Bishop, Richard Horton, Morgan Davies and Liam Lloyd), were 30 seconds clear after the first run and not seen by their chasers again. Phil was third in the ETU European Championships in both 2014 and 2015 and had been in the top ten in the World Duathlon Championships for the past five years. Phil has been running well this winter too, with strong results in the English National and Inter-Counties XC Champs.
Can past performance predict the future? Memories of Corby 2014
From that list of athletes above who finished behind Phil in Corby, all except Aaron Harris and Morgan Davies are due to race in Windsor this weekend.
Calum Johnson won Bronze in the World Junior Duathlon Champs in 2013, and was part of the 'triathlete' winning North East team, along with Phil Wylie, at the Inter-Counties XC Championship. Expect him to be part of a fast leading group at T1, heading out onto the bike.
Danny Russell is another name we spotted with a solid result at the English National XC Champs and he was part of the 4xMixed Relay winning Gold medal team in Weyer, Austria two years ago.
David Bishop has has some strong domestic results over the past couple of seasons (third at London Triathlon, Cardiff Triathlon winner, second at Jenson Button Trust Triathlon and second at Windsor amongst others), along with several top ten finishes in ETU European races last year. That progress got him selection to his first European Championship Elite team last year.
National Duathlon kicks off my season once again this weekend. Not ready for triathlon just yet but excited to race! pic.twitter.com/s3Ml6xoFub— David Bishop (@davidrbishop) March 29, 2016
Richard Horton has World Duathlon Championship Gold to his name at both Junior and Under-23 level, and a 12th place finish earlier this year at the English National XC Champs means you can be all but certain he will be part of an elite group of speedy runners looking to break clear over the opening 5km.
Liam Lloyd finished second at the London Triathlon last year - but that meant that he took the British Championship title. A member of the Welsh Commonwealth Games team in Glasgow, Liam is another athlete with international duathlon medals as a Junior - Silver at the 2013 European's in Horst.
Who else should we be expecting to excel?
Six names highlighted so far, and we've yet to mention an Olympian and World Triathlon Series winner. Stuart Hayes achieved his career best result in 2010, winning the ITU World Triathon Kitzbuhel and would two years later be selected for the GB London 2012 team alongside the Brownlee brothers. Gomez second, Frodeno third with you on the top step is a rather nice result to have on your C.V. To give some context, no other British male athlete other than the dominant Brownlee's has won a WTS race since the series was introduced in 2009.
Generally regarded as a 'swim-biker', Stuart does have several sub-31 minute 10k's to his name too, though long-term injury in recent years must put a doubt as to whether he can bring that sort of form with him this coming weekend - and without it, I don't see him being part of what I expect to be a fast paced first 5km. That said, on the bike, expect several athletes hoping to be part of a 'Hayes train' as he seeks to close the gaps on two wheels.
Carl Avery has won the World Age Group Championships over this distance for the past two seasons and has excelled this winter on the cross country circuit, while also winning the Oulton Park Spring Duathlon in the draft-legal format, courtesy of a very impressive final run.
A few (of the many we could highlight) others to watch include Daniel Jenkin, Andrew Greenleaf, and several younger athletes recently moved up to the Senior ranks including European Junior Silver medallist Jimmy Kershaw, George Goodwin, Deri Stewart, Richard Allen and James Teagle.
Overall views?
With around 70 entries, this looks like a very strong and deep domestic field and should provide a competitive race. In contrast to the Elite Women, where anything other than an Emma Pallant victory would be a real shock, the men's field looks to be very open. I've highlighted Phil Wylie above as the favourite, but that is far from a given. Along with the established senior names there are plenty of athletes who have had success (over this distance), as Juniors who have moved up to the Senior category in the last year or two. Several of those could well show very well on Sunday.
With the strength-in-depth, I think there is good reason for the 'fast' runners to really push the first 5km, creating a small group and looking to break clear until the finish. Expect a few people to 'blow', trying to be part of that. The bike course will be more challenging than the flat and fast Rockingham circuit, but whatever happens on the bike, I would expect an elite group to be heading out on to the final 2.5km run in close order with the podium not decided until the final minutes of the race.
The Elite men start at 4:30pm and the Elite women one minute later. Come along to Windsor Great Park and watch the action.
For the full start list - CLICK HERE.
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Weekend preview: April 02-03
One quarter of the year gone already, British Summertime has started and the chocolate overload of Easter is past - time to get started on some serious events. The printer paused briefly and spat out a second page so we know that things are, metaphorically at least, starting to heat up but given the unpredictability of the weather at the moment we could well be headed into another stormy weekend... ...or a heatwave!
It's still relatively light on the international front this weekend although a massive GB squad is headed to the ETU Triathlon European Cup (and Junior European Cup) in Quarteira, Portugal - so many names that to list them all would turn this preview into a catalogue. Check out the full start list HERE.
Related Article: British success in Portugal (Quarteira 2015)
No GB athletes on the list at the ITU World Cup Triathlon in New Plymouth, New Zealand but Ireland's Benjamin Shaw and Constantine Doherty are listed. The Brits will be back for the big one next week, World Triathlon Gold Coast, where some big Olympic selection decisions are likely to be resolved.
Related Article: Richard Murray wins first ITU World Cup, New Plymouth 2015
There are two Ironman 70.3 races on the calendar: California has Holly Lawrence and Emma-Kate Lidbury on the list and Putrajaya has Paul Amey and Stuart Hayes (that's if he's not at the Windsor Duathlon, which he's also listed for!).
Holly Lawrence finished third last year at Oceanside, starting the run with a three minute lead, so will have good memories to draw on. The California race has a $60,000 prize purse on offer with $12,000 to the winner. A marquee event at the start of the U.S. season, it has attracted a stellar field including Andy Potts (USA) - a five time winner of the race and second for the last two years - Sebastian Kienle (GER), Lionel Sanders (CAN), Aussies Tim Reed, Joe Gambles and Sam Appleton plus plenty more who will be in the mix.
Related Article: Frodeno and Jackson win Oceanside 70.3 2015
Thw women's race is also deep with Heather Jackson (USA), Heather Wurtele (CAN), Caroline Steffen (SUI), Camilla Pedersen (DEN), Mary Beth Ellis (USA) alongside the British pairing. Win this race, and you'll be making an early season statement of intent.
The only other international event to hit our lists is XTERRA Malta and although a number of GB age groupers are listed the only pro ranked athlete is Diane Lee.
Saturday's racing seems to be confined to Dorney Lake for the third of Votwo's Eton Dorney Duathlon Series races with the option of staying on for multiple run distances in the afternoon and the Carmarthen Junior Fun Triathlon.
Topping Sunday's bill is the British Duathlon Championships at the Windsor Duathlon which will see athletes breaking all sorts of bylaws in Windsor Great Park - riding bikes on the Long Walk for one! - here's hoping that HM The Queen doesn't want to take her usual shortcut through the park from or to Windsor Castle!
It's certainly a challenging and varied route and if we get any more rain the last couple of kilometres of the opening run will be very interesting indeed. There's a preview of the elite men's field HERE and one on the elite women's field HERE. Our take is that there is a hot favourite in the Elite women's race (Emma Pallant), but the men's Elite race is wide open. Will that prove to be correct?
The Battlefield Duathlon hosts sprint, standard and long distances while the Spring Duathlon at Goodwood also goes for the triple but with Tristars, short and long. The Knockburn Duathlon goes for adult and children's races and then all the rest are single distance only. The list includes the City of Durham Duathlon, the Sidewinder Duathlon, the Diss Duathlon, the Fast & Furious Duathlon, Newent and the Harlech Duathlon which is hosting the Welsh Championships - which does seem a bit of a poor scheduling decision given the British Championships are also on the same day...
For a bit of variation and, potentially, quite a lot of mud thrown in for good measure there's the Hole Park Cross Duathlon with three distances and trail runs as well.
Triathlons are still few and far between but there are options at Carmarthen, Luton for the Chilly Triathlon, Riby Hall and Harlech.
Related Article: Harlech Triathlon to celebrate 15th edition in style
The Dawlish Aquathlon continues Exeter Tri Club's early-season series of races and there's another swim/run offering at Sandwell.
FULL WEEKEND RACE LISTINGS
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Zone3 announce Joe Skipper sponsorship
Zone3 welcomes GB Ironman athlete Joe skipper to the team!
Zone3 have today announced the wetsuit partnership with GB’s own, top Ironman prospect, Joe Skipper. Joe is one of Britain’s brightest prospects in the Ironman circuit and has gone from strength-to-strength in the last few seasons, culminating in a 2015 13th place Kona finish.
Originally from Norfolk, Joe has trained and raced all over the country and around the world. 2015 saw Joe rise through the ranks even further with a second place finish at Ironman Texas and an impressive podium spot in his home event, Ironman UK finishing third. This year he has already started the season very strongly with a second place finish at Ironman New Zealand around the beautiful Lake Taupo.
Related Article: Analysis - Joe Skipper's Ironman Texas
Joe will be swimming in the award winning 2016 Vanquish wetsuit. The new Zone3 range launched earlier this year and the Vanquish has already been awarded the 'Best in Class' accolade by the prestigious Triathlete magazine in the US. Described as “the perfect combination of flexibility and buoyancy”, and Joe will be hoping this translates in the water for him; helping propel him to front of the pack.
Joe has not only partnered with Zone3 as just a swim sponsor but also as apparel sponsor for Team Joe Skipper. Zone3 are bringing out some limited edition ‘Team Joe Skipper’ technical tee's which you will be able to purchase off our brand new website shortly.
James Lock, Zone3 CEO and founder, and long standing admirer of Joe, had this to say of the partnership: “We are delighted to have someone of Joe’s quality wearing the Zone3 wetsuit. Not only is Joe one of the best British long-distance athletes, but he is also making a name on the world stage and brings further worldwide exposure for the Zone3 brand.”
Joe is delighted to finally make the announcement “I'm really pleased to be working with Zone3, I've tried the wetsuits out in training and was very impressed with how fast through the water compared to other wetsuits I've swam in. The Zone3 Vanquish feels really free around the shoulders which helps reduce fatigue. Conserving energy is really important and you definitely don’t want to waste any fighting against the wetsuit with every stroke. I've been fully kitted out with running tops, sports bags and even sunglasses, and am looking forward to using all the other Zone3 gear.”
You can follow Joe’s progress throughout the 2016 season by following him through his website (joeskipper.co.uk) and various social media platforms including Twitter (@Joe_Skipper88), Instagram (@notanotheraveragejoe) and Facebook.
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Third for Stuart Hayes at 70.3 Malaysia
London 2012 Olympian earns his first Ironman 70.3 podium finish in Putrajaya
Having included Stuart Hayes in our preview of the British Elite Duathlon Championships - and then noted in the weekend preview that he was also listed for Ironman 70.3 Malaysia - it seems that the heat of Malaysia over the mud of Windsor Great Park won that battle. That proved to be a wise choice, ending up in a third place podium finish in Putrajaya.
Australia's three-time Ironman World Champion, Craig 'Crowie' Alexander may be nearing his 43rd birthday, but like Cameron Brown at Ironman New Zealand recently, he's not ready to move aside just yet. Having already won Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay in the Philippines last month, Craig added another victory to his extensive C.V. in Malaysia, having to run down early pace-setter Josh Amberger. It was Amberger you may remember who took second to current Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno in Dubai earlier this year, race one of the 2016 Triple Crown.
With the fastest swim added to an impressive leg, Amberger headed out onto the run with a lead of more than three minutes over a chase group of seven, among which were Alexander and Hayes. With temperatures reported to be 35°c and above, Alexander ran superbly to pull away from that group, catch Amberger and then go on to a two and a half minute victory margin. Still new to the 70.3 scene, Hayes did well having spent much of the last three years trying to recover from injury, to take third behind Amberger as the heat was, quite literally, on.
Gr8 to see some familiar faces at the start of Malaysia 70.3 @CrowieAlexander @sticksy, Well done Crowie for the win pic.twitter.com/96LO3QwbRs— Stuart Hayes (@StuHayes13) April 3, 2016
In the women's race, Germany's Carina Brechters was a full minute clear out of the water, before Radka Vodickova (CZE) and Liz Blatchford (AUS) reached dry land together. That pair would be in close contention through the bike leg too, before Vodickova (1:27:19) would win the battle on the run over Blatchford (1:30:56) to repeat the same one-two position from this event two years ago.
Ironman 70.3 Malaysia, Putrajaya - Sunday 3rd April 2016
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Craig Alexander (AUS) 3:55:22
Radka Vodickova (CZE) 4:22:15
2nd
Josh Amberger (AUS) 3:58:51
Liz Blatchford (AUS) 4:26:04
3rd
Stuart Hayes (GBR) 4:01:10
Kate Bevilaqua (AUS) 4:36:17
4th
Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 4:03:00
Beth Gerdes (USA) 4:36:23
5th
Adam Gordon (NZL) 4:03:33
Kathryn Haesner (NZL) 4:39:23
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Richard Horton: British Elite Duathlon champion
Richard Horton adds British Elite Senior Championship at Windsor Duathlon
In last week's preview of the Men's Senior Elite British Duathlon Championship, I said in summarising:
"With the strength-in-depth, I think there is good reason for the 'fast' runners to really push the first 5km, creating a small group and looking to break clear until the finish. Expect a few people to 'blow', trying to be part of that. The bike course will be more challenging than the flat and fast Rockingham circuit, but whatever happens on the bike, I would expect an elite group to be heading out on to the final 2.5km run in close order with the podium not decided until the final minutes of the race."
Well, that proved to be pretty much spot on, as eight athletes (Richard Horton, Calum Johnson, Liam Lloyd, Daniel Jenkin, Carl Avery, Danny Russell, Douglas Roberts and Richard Allen), all entered T1 separated by just a handful of seconds, but 30 seconds clear of their chasers. Much like the same championship race in Corby two years ago, that was pretty much game over. Richard Allen was the only casualty from that group, leaving the remaining seven neck-and-neck with just the final 2.5km to decide the medals. The chase group didn't lose any time during the bike leg - but there would be no chance to catch up with barely eight miutes of running to finish
Having previously won World Championship titles at Junior and Under-23 level, Richard Horton proved to be a popular winner, taking his first major result in the senior ranks, ahead of Calum Johnson and Liam Lloyd.
Speaking to British Triathlon after the event, Richard said:
"Being crowned national champion feels really good, it's taken a while to become a senior champion but it’s a big relief to finally win this event. I knew that there would be some strong boys racing today such as Calum Johnson and Liam Lloyd, along with a number of others, but a group of seven of us got away on the bike and we worked together really well.
“The course was really cool, it was challenging but a really interesting venue compared to previous National Duathlon Championships.”
With the first 18 athletes finishing within two minutes of the leader, it was a goos quality and deep domestic field in the men's race.
British Elite Duathlon Championship (Senior Men) - Sunday 3rd April 2016
5km / 20km / 2.5km
Pos
Men
1st
Richard Horton (Racetime Triathlon Club) 54:16
2nd
Calum Johnson 54:26
3rd
Liam Lloyd (Team Tredz) 54:35
4th
Daniel Jenkin (RedVenon.co.uk) 54:40
5th
Carl Avery (Morpeth Harriers) 54:53
6th
Danny Russell (Tri Training Harder) 54:56
7th
Douglas Roberts (Yonda) 55:00
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Team Dillon on top at British Elite Champs
Emma Pallant wins as Michelle Dillon rolls back the years for Silver
As the current ITU Duathlon World Champion, that Emma Pallant would win the British Elie Duathlon Championship at the Windsor Duathlon on Sunday was never really in doubt, as outlined last week in our preview piece.
Perhaps the most interesting story of the race started two weeks ago when Emma's coach, Michelle Dillon - World Champion herself in 2005 - announced that she would be racing too. Given that Michelle retired in 2008 from a career which included two Olympic Games appearances and a European Elite Triathlon Championship to have major spinal surgery, that she is back running and cycling at all is a success in itself. Putting herself out there (at 42), to do it again is impressive. As for making a success of it...inspirational.
We did however, say last week "She wouldn't be there if she didn't think she could perform strongly." Taking the Silver medal was a half decent result then?!
Speaking to Michelle after the event, they went into the race with a plan. Michelle had been cycling really well in training and they believed that by working together on the bike they could get away on the undulating roads of Windsor Great Park and reach T2 with a 'Team Dillon' lead. With Emma running well within herself over the first run, reaching T1 together with European Elite Aquathlon Champion, Hannah Kitchen, Michelle was barely ten seonds back alongside Gillian Palmer. Stage one was set, could they execute that plan on the bike? Indeed they could. With Emma pushing the pace and Michelle going with her ("I was in a world of pain at times!"), they did break away, which allowed them to reach transition clear of Palmer and Kitchen who themselves had been chased down by Karen Shimmin, Victoria Gill and Fenella Langridge.
While Pallant made light of the final 2.5km in 8:31, Michelle's 9:35 was enough to take second place, 12 seconds ahead of Gillian Palmer who had closed the gap with a 9:04 second run, but not enough to prevent a Team Dillon Gold and Silver.
Pallant said: “It was a great experience to be racing with my coach (Michelle Dillon), I had fun out on the course and the event went really well. This year I’m aiming to defend my World Duathlon Championship title as well as having a go at 70.3 racing. I’ve got a huge amount to learn, having never time-trialled before but I’m really excited about getting a year of experience in.”
Michelle told me "I am proud of what Emma and I achieved today. It wasn't easy with my back, but I'm pleased it's done now!"
So, back into retirement for Michelle Dillon then? I wouldn't bet on it. Before that though, "a nice glass of red wine" was what she was looking forward to... well earned I think.
Overall then, a class winner who was never going to be challenged and a great return from Michelle - but a small field which saw just ten finishers is disappointing for a British Elite Championships, especially when compared to the depth of the men's event on the same day.
British Elite Duathlon Championship (Senior Women) - Sunday 3rd April 2016
5km / 20km / 2.5km
Pos
Men
1st
Emma Pallant (Team Dillon) 1:02:57
2nd
Michelle Dillon (Team Dillon) 1:04:02
3rd
Gillian Palmer (Sandy Wallace Cycles) 1:04:14
4th
Hannah Kitchen 1:04:28
5th
Karen Shimmin (Manx Tri Club) 1:04:41
6th
Victoria Gill (Swim for Tri) 1:04:45
7th
Fenella Langridge 1:05:04
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British Du Champs: AG medallists
The inaugural Windsor Duathlon (www.windsorduathlon.com) within Windsor Great Park on Sunday hosted the 2016 British Duathlon Championships for Elite, Elite Junior, Elite Youth, Para and Age-Group athletes.
We've got separate reports on the Elite Men (won by Richard Horton, HERE) and Elite Women (won by Emma Pallant, HERE), and below we present for you the full listing of British Age-Group Championship medal winners. On a day with lots of challenges - from getting into the car park, dealing with plenty of mud and the impacts of racing in the Queen's garden... congratulations to you all that earned a British Championship medal.
Sunday 3rd April 2016 - 10k / 40k / 5k
Age-Group Standard Distance British Championship medals - Women
Category
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Under-20
Tasmin Boam
20-24
Alice Jenkins
Lucy Charles
Joanna Wright
25-29
Jess Williams
Alice Tourell
Emma Stevens
30-34
Claire Steels
Tracy Markham
Rebecca Slaymaker
35-39
Rebecca Schofield
Donna Mchugh
Rebecca Ferry
40-44
Ashley Pearson
Joanna Clark
Sally Hughes
45-49
Joanna Gorrod
Wendy Nicholls
Louella Oherlihy
50-54
Gill Fullen
Vikki Sivertsen
Sally Goble
55-59
Mary Twitchett
Christine Meek
Sally Waterman
60-64
Nora Haggart
Andrea Sanders Reece
Jill Grey
65-69
Jeanete Graves
Age-Group Standard Distance British Championship medals - Men
Category
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Under-20
Seamus Sheard
Ryan Figgett
20-24
James Phillips
Phillip Maddocks
Angus Smith
25-29
Samuel Pictor
Lyndon Harris
Reece Barclay
30-34
Adam Brittain
Mark Harris
Matthew Connelly Smith
35-39
Daniel Blake
Brian Mclellan
Ian Roberts
40-44
Clive Kennedy Burn
Iain Robertson
Rodger Wilkins
45-49
Gethin Butler
Chris Nicoll
Harry Walker
50-54
Stewart Gregory
Peter Stainer
David Bagge
55-59
Keith Mahon
Duncan Wood
Martyn Pollitt
60-64
Nigel Gates
Stephen Redman
Sean Mcdermott
65-69
Mick Anglim
John Booth
Nigel Burvill
70-74
James Fell
Michael Smallwood
Vernon Thomas
75-79
Alan Morris
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British Juniors excel in Portugal
Triple podium success for British Junior triathletes in Portugal
It was a good weekend for British athletes in the Portuguese coastal town of Quarteira, in the Algarve region.
As was as the (senior) European Cup event, which saw a gun-to-tape Gold and Silver earned the hard way by Jessica Learmonth and Lucy (full report HERE), the event also hosted an ETU Triathlon European Junior Cup for Junior athletes.
Sam Dickinson may well have gone slightly under the radar in 2015, given the profile of Ben Dijkstra, but he is a serious talent. The British Triathlon Junior Super Series overall champion, he won the British Junior Champs at Tri Liverpool, the London Triathlon and the British Triathon Under-20's Festival. A 9:56 750m swim left him 50 seconds back on the leader in Quarteira, but he was able to overcome that gap and be part of the lead group at T2. A closing 15:00 5km run - exactly the same as home athlete Vasco Vilaco - and they were both given exactly the same time at the finish, the edge going to the Portuguese athlete.
Alex Yee was almost 30 second further back in the water than Dinkinson, outside of the top-50 in the swim. By the end of the bike he was just inside the top-20, but surely well outside of any podium shot. But no, the athlete who finished ninth in the European Junior Cross Country Championships in December blitzed the run course. His 14:31 run split was almost 30 seconds faster than the leading duo of Vilaco and Dickinson (who in turn were 22 seconds faster than anyone else). That is very impressive running... but he won't want to be starting the bike leg that far back too often. Third place here adds to a second place earned last year at the Holten ETU Junior European Cup event.
In the Junior women's race, Kate Waugh was in contention throughout and a strong final run (17:08) earned her the Silver medal, ten seconds behind France's Cassandre Beaugrand who was second at the 2014 ITU World Junior Champs. The fastest run of the day went to another Brit, Bronwen Owen. With a 16:47 split, she was one of only four athletes to break the 18 minute mark, and she ran through the field to move up to sixth.
Quarteira ETU Triathlon European Junior Cup, Portugal
750m / 20km / 5km
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Vasco Vilaco (POR) 56:18
Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) 57:05
2nd
Samuel Dickinson (GBR) 56:18
Katie Waugh (GBR) 57:15
3rd
Alex Yee (GBR) 56:39
Alberte Kjaer Pedersen (DEN) 57:33
GB Women:
6th - Bronwen Owen
18th - Sophie Alden
24th - Megan Mcdonald
28th - Nixie Turner
DNF - Elisabeth Hood
GB Men:
7th - Jack Willis
12th - Barclay Izzard
14th - Cameron Harris
18th - Alex Chantler Mayne
36th - Archie Molesworth St Aubyn
48th - Edward Beecher
71st - Jake Callis
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Learmonth and Hall dominate in Portugal
Learmonth and Hall time trial to Gold and Silver in Portugal
Who says all draft-legal races are the same? On Saturday the British pairing of Jessica Learmonth and Lucy Hall put their 'swim-bike' skills to best use at the Quarteira ETU Triathlon European Cup in Portugal to build such a lead at T2 that they were still minutes clear at the finish, despite the best efforts of the 'runners' to chase them. Bravery and teamwork can work.
Hall and Learmonth exited the water in first and second with Pamella Oliveira (BRA) and Maya Kingma (NED) for company, with the bulk of the field close on one minute in arrears. The Brits quickly turned four into two and went into full team time trial mode, cycling over three minutes quicker than everyone else in the race. The run saw Jessica (36:41) take the tape ahead of Lucy (37:34), and it was close on two minutes before France's Leonie Periault - a very close second in the Under-23 World Champs last year - would arrive to take the Bronze.
Really pleased with the win today. Thanks @blueseventy @JackpotRacing and thanks for all the lovely tweets 😉 pic.twitter.com/EaPYs5JGjA— Jess Learmonth (@Jess_Learmonth) April 2, 2016
That's a first major international victory for Learmonth, while Hall starts 2016 in good style too after winning the European Under-23 Champs in a similar (but solo) style last year.
Quarteira ETU Triathlon European Cup, Portugal
1.5km / 40km / 10km
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Aurelien Raphael (FRA) 1:49:42
Jessica Learmonth (GBR) 2:01:55
2nd
Pedro Palma (POR) 1:49:47
Lucy Hall (GBR) 2:02:47
3rd
David Castro Fajardo (ESP) 1:50:27
Leonie Periault (FRA) 2:04:39
4th
Raphael Montoya (FRA) 1:50:42
Sandra Dodet (FRA) 2:04:59
5th
Raoul Shaw (FRA) 1:50:47
Aileen Reid (IRL) 2:05:07
GB Men:
16th - Morgan Davies
20th - Christopher Perham
34th - Matthew Sharp
45th - James Teagle
50th - Iestyn Harrett
GB Women:
10th - Zoe Thomas
12th - Hannah Drewett
21st - Jenny Manners
DNF - India Lee, Grace Hobbs, Katie Synge
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Swim Heron: 2016 open water swimming
Bank Holiday Monday, May 2nd, from 5pm, sees Heron Lake open for the new open water swimming season. Ideally located just off junction 13 of the M25, the lake has seen lots of improvements for 2016 including enhanced safety with RLSS qualified staff, greater retailing choice and the NOWCA lake management system.
SwimSmooth coaches, Fiona Ford and Annie Oberlin-Harris will be offering one-to-one coaching, advanced video analysis and stroke correction techniques, group sessions, as well as weekly SwimSmooth squad training. There are also beginner's group session's, the first of which will take place on Saturday May 14th.
Mailsports, the swim specialist, will have a mini-shop at every session and will be organising demo days for some of the top wetsuit brands, including Zone3, 2XU, Aquasphere and Sailfish.
The new management team is headed up by Alan Ellis and Pete Gowans. With combined backgrounds in coaching, swimming, triathlon, retailing and customer service their aim is to create an unrivalled open water swimming experience. Alan Ellis told us, "Having swum at Heron Lake for many years, we saw the opportunity to make it one of the finest open water swimming venues in the UK. Open water swimming is becoming more popular and we want to make Heron Lake a safe, fun, friendly environment for people to enjoy the benefits of this great sport".
More details can be found at www.swimheron.co.uk or by following them on Facebook (Swim Heron Lake) and Twitter @swimheronlake.
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