Aaron Royle and Holly Lawrence lead after Day One of Island House Invitational
Day One of the 2016 Island House Invitational Triathlon (www.islandhousetriathlon.com) today (Friday) saw the athletes racing in an unfamiliar format, with individual time-trial events over Swim, Bike and Run disciplines - each over Sprint triathlon distances.
It's been a good day for Great Britain's Ironman 70.3 World Champion, Holly Lawrence, who finished in the top five positions in all three events to take a lead of just over half a minute into day two, ahead of ITU and XTERRA World Champion Flora Duffy (2nd) and Olympic Champion Gwen Jorgensen (3rd).
The top of the men's cumulative standings is very tightly contested, with Aaron Royle (AUS) holding a very narrow lead over Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) and Richard Murray (RSA). The top ten men are currently separated by just 46 seconds.
Here are the top five positions in each of the three events, followed by the top five overall positions on cumulative time.
Related Article: Who'll be big in The Bahamas?
TOP FIVE RESULTS - INDIVIDUAL AND OVERALL STANDINGS
Swim Time Trial - Open Water, 750m, Non-Wetsuit
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Aaron Royle (AUS) 00:09:36.4
Carolina Routier (ESP) 00:10:06.4
2nd
Mario Mola (ESP) 00:09:49.0
Lauren Brandon (USA) 00:10:17.0
3rd
Eric Lagerstrom (USA) 00:09:52.5
Flora Duffy (BER) 00:10:20.8
4th
Cam Dye (USA) 00:10:00.6
Sarah True (USA) 00:10:22.6
5th
Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 00:10:07.3
Holly Lawrence (GBR) 00:10:22.0
Bike Time Trial - 20km
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Lionel Sanders (CAN) 00:25:21.1
Heather Wurtele (CAN) 00:28:29.9
2nd
Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 00:25:51.4
Holly Lawrence (GBR) 00:28:30.2
3rd
Cam Dye (USA) 00:26:10.8
Lisa Norden (SWE) 00:29:01.7
4th
Sebastian Kienle (GER) 00:26:14.7
Lauren Brandon (USA) 00:29:07.6
5th
Tim O'Donnell (USA) 00:26:39.4
Helle Frederiksen (DEN) 00:29:15.9
Run Time Trial - 5km
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Richard Murray (RSA) 00:15:26.0
Gwen Jorgensen (USA) 00:16:49.6
2nd
Mario Mola (ESP) 00"15:33.2
Flora Duffy (BER) 00:17:43.2
3rd
Joe Maloy (USA) 00:15:43.8
Lauren Goss (USA) 00:17:50.6
4th
Lionel Sanders (CAN) 00:16:09.7
Sarah True (USA) 00:17:55.3
5th
Brent McMahon (CAN) 00:16:12.7
Holly Lawrence (GBR) 00:18:01.6
OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER DAY ONE - CUMULATIVE
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Aaron Royle (AUS) 00:52:58.9
Holly Lawrence (GBR) 00:56:54.7
2nd
Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 00:53:06.0
Flora Duffy (BER) 00:57:28.1
3rd
Richard Murray (RSA) 00:53:12.4
Gwen Jorgensen (USA) 00:57:41.7
4th
Mario Mola (ESP) 00:53:16.7
Helle Frederiksen (DEN) 00:58:00.9
5th
Joe Maloy (USA) 00:53:19.7
Lauren Goss (USA) 00:58:24.1
Other GB Athletes:
14th - Tim Don - 00:54:17.517th - Leanda Cave - 1:00:56.9
Lawrence, Royle lead Island House Day One
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Jorgensen, Murray take Day 2 Island House lead
Jorgensen and Murray lead into final day of racing at Island House Invitational Triathlon
Olympians Gwen Jorgensen of USA and Richard Murray of South Africa move into first place after the second day of competition following the Enduro stage of the Island House Invitational Triathlon, a unique three–day triathlon event in the Bahamas.
Day 2 of the Island House Invitational Triathlon presented a unique racing situation for both short course and long course athletes as the five leg course Enduro course mixed up the traditional order of swim, bike and run. Athletes raced a course comprised of a 750 metre swim, 5km run, 40km bike, 750 metre swim and a final 5km run.
In the women’s race, the mass start kept athletes close together during the initial swim leg of the day, with a large pack exiting the water together. US gold medalist, Gwen Jorgensen, asserted herself during the first 5km run to take the lead at the start of the bike. However, non-drafting, long course specialist and leader after day one, Holly Lawrence, used her bike strength to complete the bike leg with the fastest time on the day. Lawrence started the final swim and run legs with a 50 second lead over a pack that included Flora Duffy, Helle Frederiksen, Ellie Salthouse and Jorgensen. The short course athletes worked together on the second swim leg, narrowing the gap to Lawrence to 30 seconds heading into the 5th and final leg of the day. Once again, Jorgensen proved invincible on the run, covering the final 5km in 16:52 for the fastest run split on the day and a 45 second lead on general classification (“GC”) heading into day 3. Despite dealing with cramps after the second swim, Duffy ran her way into second place on the Enduro stage, ahead of Salthouse. Lawrence faded to 4th on the stage, but she did enough to remain 2nd on GC, 10 seconds ahead of Duffy.
Day 2 also saw lead changes in the men’s race with the overnight leader on GC, Aaron Royle from Australia leading the initial men’s swim pack. However, South Africa’s Richard Murray gapped the pack during the first run leg, posting a time of 15:21 for 5km, and he maintained that lead throughout most of the bike. Cameron Dye of the USA was the biggest mover on the bike, taking the lead over Murray during the closing miles and the two started the final swim and run legs in close proximity. Once again, Murray proved the strong on the run and he edged ahead of Dye to cross the line in first place and earn first place on GC after two days of competition. Dye’s performance was enough to catapult him into second place overall after the two stages, while New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone’s consistency during the Enduro stage kept him in 3rd place on GC.
The action continues on Sunday with the final day’s sprint distance stage, a mass start event which comprises a 750m swim, a 20km bike and a 5km run on the private island of Highbourne Cay. The athletes are competing for share in a $500,000 prize purse.
For race coverage, please follow @islandhousetri on twitter for updates and links to additional coverage and timing.
For more details on the event, check out the Island House Invitational Triathlon website.
General Classification (GC) after Day 2
RANK
NAME
CAT
SWIM
BIKE
RUN
TOTAL
1
Richard MURRAY
M-PRO
0:31:15
1:23:26
0:48:14
2:42:53
2
Cam DYE
M-PRO
0:31:24
1:20:43
0:51:53
2:43:59
3
Terenzo BOZZONE
M-PRO
0:31:39
1:20:49
0:51:45
2:44:11
4
Aaron ROYLE
M-PRO
0:30:57
1:22:53
0:51:14
2:45:03
5
Brent MCMAHON
M-PRO
0:31:54
1:23:21
0:50:01
2:45:15
6
Eric LAGERSTROM
M-PRO
0:30:44
1:22:57
0:51:42
2:45:21
7
Leon GRIFFIN
M-PRO
0:32:32
1:23:16
0:49:58
2:45:44
8
Sebastian KIENLE
M-PRO
0:33:57
1:21:16
0:50:37
2:45:49
9
Joe MALOY
M-PRO
0:31:25
1:23:49
0:50:38
2:45:51
10
Lionel SANDERS
M-PRO
0:37:24
1:18:45
0:50:13
2:46:21
11
Tim DON
M-PRO
0:32:43
1:24:38
0:50:46
2:48:06
12
Tim REED
M-PRO
0:33:02
1:22:55
0:53:02
2:48:59
13
Mario MOLA
M-PRO
0:35:07
1:26:29
0:49:16
2:50:51
14
Tim O’DONNELL
M-PRO
0:32:44
1:25:22
0:53:42
2:51:47
15
Trevor WURTELE
M-PRO
0:36:16
1:23:34
0:53:24
2:53:13
16
Jorik VAN EGDOM
M-PRO
0:34:20
1:29:30
0:51:55
2:55:44
17
Ben HOFFMAN
M-PRO
0:34:06
1:28:56
0:54:48
2:57:48
18
Barrett BRANDON
M-PRO
0:32:04
1:29:34
0:57:08
2:58:45
19
Andreas DREITZ
M-PRO
0:34:23
1:37:12
0:53:31
3:05:04
RANK
NAME
CAT
SWIM
BIKE
RUN
TOTAL
1
Gwen JORGENSEN
F-PRO
0:32:47
1:32:22
0:51:46
2:56:53
2
Holly LAWRENCE
F-PRO
0:33:03
1:28:42
0:55:55
2:57:39
3
Flora DUFFY
F-PRO
0:33:02
1:30:33
0:54:15
2:57:48
4
Ellie SALTHOUSE
F-PRO
0:33:35
1:30:20
0:55:30
2:59:24
5
Helle FREDERIKSEN
F-PRO
0:33:18
1:30:09
0:56:43
3:00:09
6
Sarah TRUE
F-PRO
0:32:40
1:33:23
0:54:19
3:00:21
7
Rachel KLAMER
F-PRO
0:32:42
1:33:17
0:54:51
3:00:49
8
Emma MOFFATT
F-PRO
0:33:00
1:33:30
0:54:50
3:01:19
9
Katie ZAFERES
F-PRO
0:33:07
1:32:59
0:55:50
3:01:54
10
Lauren GOSS
F-PRO
0:33:17
1:32:25
0:57:06
3:02:47
11
Alicia KAYE
F-PRO
0:34:21
1:31:50
0:58:15
3:04:26
12
Magali TISSEYRE
F-PRO
0:36:11
1:32:39
0:57:36
3:06:24
13
Leanda CAVE
F-PRO
0:34:45
1:32:42
0:59:19
3:06:44
14
Heather WURTELE
F-PRO
0:37:20
1:29:52
1:00:01
3:07:12
15
Mirinda CARFRAE
F-PRO
0:37:13
1:33:05
0:57:19
3:07:35
16
Lauren BRANDON
F-PRO
0:32:26
1:31:46
1:04:40
3:08:52
17
Carolina ROUTIER
F-PRO
0:32:32
1:40:29
0:56:26
3:09:26
DNF
Lisa NORDEN
F-PRO
0:21:47
1:32:10
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Jorgensen, Murray win Island House Triathlon
Gwen Jorgensen and Richard Murray win the second Island House Invitational Triathlon
After three days of competition in The Bahamas, Gwen Jorgensen (USA) retained her title at the second edition of the Island House Invitational Triathlon, while Richard Murray (RSA) stepped up one place from 2015 to take the title and the $60,000 first prize.
After leading the even on day one, Great Britain's Holly Lawrence - the current IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion - took third place overall.
Here is the full report from Day three, which took place on the private island of Highbourne Clay.
DAY ONE REPORT | DAY TWO REPORT
After 3 days of racing, Gwen Jorgensen and Richard Murray take overall wins at the Island House Invitational Triathlon
USA’s Gwen Jorgensen and South Africa’s Richard Murray fend off tough competition to claim victory on the final day of competition at the three day triathlon stage race in the Bahamas.
For the third and final day of racing in the Island House Invitational Triathlon, the top ten female and male athletes on general classification relocated to the private island of Highbourne Cay for the final sprint distance stage to determine the overall champions at this unique event. Athletes started the race according to their deficit on GC to the overnight leaders, Jorgensen and Murray.
On the women’s side Great Britain’s Ironman 70.3 World Champion Holly Lawrence dove into the water, 45 seconds behind Jorgensen with reigning ITU World Champion, Flora Duffy just 10 seconds further back. Duffy closed the gap quickly to Lawrence and the two worked to reduce the deficit to Jorgensen out of the swim to 30 seconds. Once on the bike, the duo went to work reeling in the Olympic Champion.
“I knew I had to go hard from the start if I wanted to shoot for the win today,” acknowledged Duffy.” After catching Jorgensen at the beginning of the second lap of the three-lap bike course, Duffy attacked through the technical sections and gained time heading into T2.
“Flora absolutely owned the technical sections of the bike course”, noted Lawrence post-race. “It’s a pretty technical course and I need to get some tips from her for the future!”
Lawrence was second off the bike but Jorgensen refused to allow the elastic to break and remained in close contact. On the run, the American used her dominant run speed to reel in her competitors, taking the lead by the 3km mark of the run. Once in front, there was no looking back and Jorgensen broke the tape first to seal victory for the second consecutive year.
The men’s race was expected to be a showdown between the overnight leader on GC, Murray and non-draft specialist from the USA, Cameron Dye, winner of the third day’s stage at the 2015 edition of this race. Murray retained his lead through the swim but Dye quickly ate into Murray’s lead on the bike portion of the race.
Dye caught Murray during the second lap of the bike: “he started to put time into me and I was worried,” said Murray, “I knew I needed to manage the gap in preparation for the run.”
Despite his 30 second advantage off the bike, the buffer was not enough for Dye against Murray’s class on the run. The South African took the lead at the halfway point of the run and breezed to victory, even stopping to plant a kiss on his time trial bike before crossing the line.
Thrilled with the step up in performance relative to his second place last year, Murray gushed at the finish line: “I’m very happy. This is the best race of the season. Period.”
Dye crossed the line in second place but the battle for the third and final podium spot was a heated one with Australia’s Aaron Royle sneaking past Terenzo Bozzone on the run to claim 3rd place.
For more details on the event, check out the Island House Invitational Triathlon website.
Final Results - General Classification
Men
1 - Richard Murray - 3:35:352 - Cameron Dye - 3:36:043 - Aaron Royle - 3:38:134 - Terenzo Bozzone - 3:38:195 - Eric Lagerstrom - 3:38:356 - Leon Griffin - 3:38:557 - Brent McMahon - 3:39:018 - Joe Maloy - 3:39:199 - Sebastian Kienle - 3:39:4610 - Lionel Sanders - 3:41:19
Women
1 - Gwen Jorgensen - 3:55:012 - Flora Duffy - 3:55:193 - Holly Lawrence - 3:56:174 - Sarah True - 3:58:515 - Rachel Klamer - 3:59:016 - Ellie Salthouse - 3:59:097 - Helle Frederiksen - 4:00:008 - Lauren Goss - 4:01:339 - Katie Zaferes - 4:02:1610 – Emma Moffatt - 4:02:52
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Kona champion wins National Hill Climb
Louise Bates wins National Hill Climb Championship
If you've been around the sport for a few years you'll likley be familiar with the name of Louise Collins.
Louise was a very talented Age-Group triathlete, finishing second (overall) at Ironman Lanzarote, winning The Vitruvian and - in only her second Ironman race - winning the F25-29 division at the 2010 Ironman World Championships in Hawaii (read her report from that HERE). If you search the Tri247 archives, you'll find plenty of other superb results we could also mention.
From conquering the heights of long distance triathlon, in recent years Lou has been focussing on cycling - and in a format that couldn't be much further from her Ironman roots!
Cycling hill climbs are typically short, but exceptionally painful... and on Sunday Louise (under her married name of Louise Bates), won the RTTC National Hill Climb Championship in Matlock. No need for energy gels and bento boxes in this format of racing. It's ultra-light bikes and races often won and lost by tenth's of seconds rather than minutes.
Winner! #Womens #Champion #HillClimb - Lou Bates #MatlockCC #BankRoad #RTTC #2016 #WeSaluteYou pic.twitter.com/tBmWDptlgw
— British Cycle Sport (@VeloUK) October 30, 2016
RTTC National Hill Climb Championship - Sunday 30th October 2016Matlock, Derbyshire - AHC/6 Course
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Adam Kenway (Metaltek Kuota RT) 00:02:18.2
Lou Bates (Velo Schils Interbike RT) 00:02:57.1
2nd
Isaac Munday (Oxford University CC) 00:02:20.4
Becky Lewis (Wrexham RC) 00:03:01.5
3rd
James Lowden (Team ASL360) 00:02:20.8
Joanne Clay (TORQ Performance) 00:03:01.8
Lou pictured below with her Age-Group winning Umeke in Kona six years ago.
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ÖTILLÖ Swimrun 1000 Lakes 2016
ÖtillÖ Swimrun 1000 Lakes - battling the elements in Germany
In August this year, husband and wife pairing Ben and Rhian Martin reported back for us on their race at the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Engadin 2016 in Switzerland.
All set to race at the ÖtillÖ Swimrun World Championships, injury to Ben meant that they had to withdraw from the marquee race of the swimrun calendar. However, the inaugural ÖtillÖ Swimrun 1000 Lakes in Germany on October 23rd gave them the opportunity to both extend their season and, perhaps, qualify for the 2017 World Championship in Sweden.
This is their report from an already challenging event which had extra difficulty added due to the cold conditions.
ÖtillÖ Swimrun 1000 Lakes 2016, Germany
Our swimrun race season had to be extended a month. We’d had to pull out of the 2016 ÖtillÖ Swimrun World Championships due to injury. The inaugural 1,000 Lakes in German would be the perfect way to end our long racing season – especially if we could obtain qualification to the 2017 World Championships – by coming in the top three of mixed teams.
The 1,000 Lakes suited us – with 10km of lake swimming and only 33km of trail running, we felt we would be fast.
The race briefing from Mats and Michael (two of the original trio, who created ÖtillÖ (it means Island-to-Island) over a drunken bet in 2006), was its usual sobering affair. It was going to be cold. Very cold. The lakes were 9 degrees and we were swimming in 11 of them. The air temperature wasn’t warm either at 4-6 degrees.
Still, this is what we had prepared for; we had Zone3 Evolution swimrun wetsuits with their neoprene vests and tri-suits underneath. We also selected Head neoprene bandanas, to wear beneath our swim caps. These selections would turn out to be great decisions. We had Icebugs Anima3 shoes for the trail runs.
Race morning started at 0550, with our tailored Precision Hydration drinks, porridge, a banana, Cliff bar and coffee. We’d looked at the energy stations and had a nutrition strategy that suited us.
As the sun came up we started to get nervous. Just how cold was it going to be? Would Ben’s glute injury allow him to push all the way? Yet, as always, the start line was a friendly atmosphere. Before long, the local mayor was firing his start gun. Race time.
First up was a 4km run, then a 920m swim, with only a short second run to generate some warmth before the first big swim of the day, at 1.3km. We had practised our transitions, especially as we were roping together on the swim, so we approached each lake – googles and hand paddles on, move pull buoy. Attach rope. Go. This meant that we didn’t think about the approaching cold – until we were in the lake and no choice but to keep swimming.
We gained a number of places on the 2nd swim, as teams struggled with the temperature and long distance. It wasn’t until after the race did we learn that some swimmers had to turn back to the shore, some were pulled from the water and some were pulled from the race at swim two finish. The conditions were having their effect – and the race organisers decided to shorten the overall swim distance – with a 1.5km swim cancelled all together.
Into the 3rd run, we were told we were 3rd mixed team. This was brilliant news. And the runs were exceptional. Mainly on sanded or paved trails through forests, with the Autumnal leaves a kaleidoscope of colours. Or that’s what they told us – we were just concentrating on keeping a fast pace, taking nutrition when needed and trying not to get lost. The field was now spread out, so we didn’t know where 2nd mixed were, nor how close the 4th mixed team was to us. Our strategy; keep the pace fast.
At about five hours we came out of the forest and saw a glorious sight – the finish! Just a 500m icy swim and a 300m run to go. Then we had done it – 3rd place was ours and we’d qualified for the 2017 World Championships. 15th overall from a field of 182.
It was a very special race. ÖtillÖ swimrun organises unique races in unique places, and they had certainly achieved this with the 1,000 Lakes. Mats and Michael commented that it was one of the toughest races they organised, which we agreed.
A huge thanks to all our support team, especially our family and friends who have meant we can do this. Also to The Drummond Clinic (www.drummondclinic.co.uk ) for getting Ben to the start line and to Laura www.tiptoppilates.co.uk and Cathy www.runningyogi.net for looking after our bodies.
Thank you to everyone who has sponsored us – we have raised over £3000 for SCOPE and The Hughes Sport Foundation - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Otill0
#otillo1000lakes thank you @otillorace pic.twitter.com/RPlb91HfHk
— Ben Martin (@BenRhianOtillo) October 23, 2016
Bring on ÖtillÖ swimrun 2017.
Follow Ben and Rhian on Twitter via: @BenRhianOtillo
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Wheelscience partners with Castle Triathlon Series
Wheelscience partners with the Castle Triathlon Series bringing the ultimate race wheel to the European market
Prizes for fastest bike splits at 2017 Castle Triathlon Series events
Wheelscience provides athletes with built to order, fully customized, race proven carbon wheels. Launching in Australia the brand has gained world-class recognition across the region and last year broke into the US market before coming to the UK through the renowned Castle Triathlon Series in 2016/2017.
Wheelscience will become the Official Wheel Partner of the Castle Triathlon Series offering competitors discounts and informative advice on preparing their wheels for the courses, together with:
World class wheels at a market leading price point
Wheels built to order specifically to a personal specificiation
Free shipping anywhere in the world
Fully customised graphics (High quality Automotive grade transfers – no fading or peeling)
A sponsorship programme open to ALL athletes
British triathlete, Peter Coombe, founded the business in 2014 recognising that athletes stand to save time by having the right wheels and need support in making these choices. Peter explains: “You can make a time saving of almost two minutes over 40km, or nearly nine minutes over an Iron-distance race by using our wheels. We are excited to share our expertise, support and products with the European triathlete market. The Castle Triathlon Series was a natural fit with a strong reach across the country and diverse range of triathletes looking to make their mark in the field.”
FREE set of wheels and cash prizes for fastest bike splits
Wheelscience will be giving the fastest cyclists in the Gauntlet distance, at each of the six events in 2017, a free set of wheels worth up to £1,800 a pair. Not only that but they will give cash prizes to fastest bike splits in the Olympic distances during the season.
Wheelscience wheels have been racing all over the world for the past 2 years. To date we have a 4:50 Kona bike split, a World 70.3 podium finish and a 12 and 24hr world championship to our credit. More importantly we have countless happy athletes riding our wheels everyday.
If you are chasing a podium or a PB head on over to: www.wheelscience.com.
Sign up for your 2017 Castle Triathlon Series race here: www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk
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IRONMAN Weymouth withdrawn from 2017
IRONMAN Weymouth removed from the calendar from 2017
IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth continues on Sunday 17th September 2017
Here is the answer to one of the most frequently asked questiosn I've received in recent months... and in not unexpected news (to me at least), IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth will return for 2017, but the full-distance event will be withdrawn
Here is the full announcement from the IRONMAN UK team.
IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth will take place on Sunday 17th September 2017, so get ready as entries opening on Wednesday 9th November at midday.
There has also been speculation about the full distance event. Weymouth was the first time we had combined a full distance and 70.3 on the same day. Since the event a review has been undertaken with the authorities and consultation with the local communities affected by the road closures. The conclusion is that we will withdraw the full distance event from the race going forward to ensure that we can continue to deliver the best race experience for athletes. Two full distance races remain on the calendar with IRONMAN UK in July and IRONMAN Wales in September.
For those of you who took part last year, we’re sure you’ll agree that Weymouth is a fantastic setting, offering everything that you (and your supporters!) could wish for at a triathlon – harbour sea swim with stunning Jurassic coast backdrop, a bike course loop that takes in some challenging hills, lovely long descents amidst the Dorset countryside, followed by a flat multi lap run in and around the town and harbour.
All combined with perfect spectator viewing for the crowds to line the route all the way to the finish line – or for them to while away the hours on the beach or in one of the many seafront restaurants or explore the area whilst your busy exerting yourselves!
Athletes looking at their race season can choose from 5 UK races currently open for entry covering IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire, IRONMAN 70.3 UK, IRONMAN UK and IRONMAN Wales. Furthermore, IRONMAN 70.3 Dublin will confirm its opening date shortly. Ahead of entries opening on Wednesday 9th November, further information about IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth can be found at www.ironman.com/weymouth70.3 and athlete inquiries may be directed to weymouth70.3@ironman.com.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to Weymouth or one of our UK destinations in 2017.
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What's next for the Outlaw Triathlon brand?
Outlaw Triathlon: the next phase... what's being planned?
The Outlaw Triathlon has quickly become one of the marquee races from the OSB Events (www.osbevents.com) portfolio, and a key part of the UK triathlon calendar.
From the debut of the full-distance Outlaw event in 2010, the Outlaw brand has developed and expanded, since adding the Outlaw Half Nottingham in 2013 and then a third race with the stunning debut of the Outlaw Half Holkham earlier this year.
Related Article: Outlaw Half - the perfect storm...
What's next for the Outlaw brand? Well, Paul Shanley spoke to OSB Events Founder and Directer, Iain Hamilton, last week in Lanzarote and asked those questions. More events? Another full-distance event? Overseas events? All of those and more are quite possibly heading your way soon...
Iain Hamilton - Founder and Director, OSB Events
For more details on the Outlaw Triathlon events, visit www.osbevents.com
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Zipp's radical new SawTooth™ wheelset
Zipp launches radical new 454 NSW® Carbon Clincher wheelset
"The fastest rim shape Zipp has ever produced"
Welcome to SawTooth™, the most standout visual feature of the just announced Zipp 454 NSW® Carbon Clincher wheelset from the brand that is the perennial leader of the wheel counts undertaken at the Ironman World Championships in Kona.
"It simultaneously reduces both aerodynamic drag and side force" say Zipp, for what they are branding at AeroBalance™. The acronyms continue with HyperFoil™ fin-shaped nodes along the inner diameter of the wheel which, in conjunction with and HexFin™ dimples improve airflow around the wheels.
Terminology aside, it is certainly a visually interesting looking departure from the current wheels on the market as these images show.
If you've ever felt unstable of deep section wheels than Zipps claim for the new 454 NSW® will be of interest to you, with buffeting reduced as "SawTooth creates a greater number of smaller, less powerful, yet more predictable vortices leading to greater wheel stability." Plenty of people - myself included - could do with stability assistance in that department. Perhaps I should just ride more though?!
Zipp 454 NSW® Carbon Clincher video
And the price for all of this technology? Well, you knew it wasn't going to be cheap, didn't you? Well, it will meet or exceed your expectations on that front, with a wheelset price of £3,500 - available this month.
Really cool to be at the launch of the new @ZippSpeed 454 NSW. Most radical design I've ever seen pic.twitter.com/U5uixureZZ
— Alistair Brownlee (@AliBrownleetri) November 3, 2016
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Weekend preview: November 05-06
The clocks have gone back, the leaves are dropping like, well, autumn leaves, and the calendar is shrinking rapidly. Still, at least it's bonfire weekend so there will be something to 'oooh' and 'aaah' at... And, as seems to be the norm these days, we have murky, misty mornings for cyclists to hide in. Guys, seriously, road safety isn't something that you can just forget once it's dark. 6am, still dark enough to hide any sort of cat and there are packs out on the roads in camouflague black and not a light among them - and then they start ripping into the cars trying to avoid them... Oh, and how did we know they were triathletes? Bit of a giveaway with the tribars, guys...
Just three international events this weekend: Ironman Florida is an age-group only race but Ironman 70.3 Rio de Janiero has a pro field with Tim Don and Corinne Abraham on the list to race (which sounds like a repeat of last week's listing but the Island House Invitational was too much of a temptation). The ITU have an ATU African Cup race in Agadir with Luke Pollard and Constantine Doherty (IRL) listed in a small field.
Saturday's home fixture is the Robin Hood Off Road Duathlon in Sherwood Pines with companion off-road runs on Saturday and you can do the run again on Sunday as the CRUK Tough Ten if you want to make a weekend of it.
Sunday's duathlons are a 50:50 split between road: the Rockingham Duathlon and the Bayside Autumn Duathlon, and off road: the Pennington Flash Off Road Duathlon and the Rempstone Roast Mountain Bike Duathlon.
And, being November, it's also the month that we can all get a bit hairy in support of men's cancer research with the Movember runs. It all kicks off this Saturday with off-road in Swinley Forest and on-road in Dublin and Leeds with more in Belfast and Newcastle on Sunday.
One other event that will be worth keeping an eye on is the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, where Olympic Triathlon Champion Gwen Jorgensen will be lining up to race, a week after winning the Island House Triathlon in The Bahamas.
FULL WEEKEND RACE LISTINGS
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Ali Wilson: from 'clueless' to champion
Alison Wilson: Great Britain's fastest female Age-Group athlete at Kona 2016
From 4th team hockey and partying, to Outlaw Triathlon champion and Britain's fastest female amateur at the IRONMAN World Championships - the remarkable rise of Alison Wilson
In 18 months, Alison Wilson had gone from "I didn't have a clue what I was doing" to the IRONMAN World Championships in Hawaii, finishing just two minutes short of earning a podium position in only her third iron-distance start. It's been quite a journey - and a remarkable transformation, as the pictures below show - for the now New Zealand-based British Age-Group athlete who in July this year dominated the Outlaw Triathlon in Nottingham, setting a course record in the process.
Having interviewed already the fastest British Pro athletes from Kona 2016 (David McNamee and Lucy Gossage), I wanted to find out more about our swiftest amateurs this year, starting with Ali...
Can you tell us about your sporting background and how you ended up in triathlon? Having had a search around - unless I’ve missed it (!) - it looks like your time in the multisport / triathlon world is relatively recent… I’m guessing you may well have started in another sport or sports?
Yes, correct, I am new to the world of triathlon. When I was young I remember saying "I want to do an Ironman by 25." But then university life gets in the way, you discover alcohol and going out with your friends. Growing up I was always outside and running around with friends (the benefits of growing up in the country). I’d always played sport at school but that was it really, I never trained with a club or focussed on any particular sport. I always had an interest in sport which is why I went to The University of Bath to study Sport and Exercise Science, but that was probably the least sporting time of my life. I played hockey, 4th team at a push and primarily for the social side of things.
My first ever triathlon was as part of a family team where I did the swim, mum biked and dad ran. Then came the ‘bet you couldn’t do that yourself’…like a red rag to a bull, a few years later… I did Ripon Olympic Distance triathlon, and said I’d never do that again, worst DOMS ever!!
"It may not look like the same person... but I promise it is me!"
Univeristy turned to gap year and ski season, more partying and weight gaining…and having fun. I then started an MSc in Physiotherapy and had the view that if I'm going to be a role model as a physio I need to get fit and tone up. The story goes on somewhat here, over the next two years I took up and stopped running after being told to "stop running or see an orthopaedic consultant in 10 years for a total hip replacement". Again, being the stubborn person I am, I was out to prove the specialists wrong…and that I have. I did all the classic ‘low impact exercises’ and joined ‘globo gym’ for a once or twice weekly spin class. In 2012 I took up CrossFit (I'm a lover, not a hater of it). I got big shoulders, lost weight and got strong.
Getting back into exercise I started running again and my first race was the Portsmouth Duathlon 2014…where I managed to beat Kelly Holmes (claim to fame). It snowballed from there… I didn’t have a clue about training, I just went running mainly up big hills, cycling…mainly up big hills and did CrossFit (rarely/never swam…weakness #1), still had never gone to a club training session or had any coaching. I had fun with my training and enjoyed turning up to events quiet and unassuming. I then kept increasing the race distance and realising I was finishing top three each time, if not winning them (local events in Portsmouth, Eton Man Middle, Midnight Man). I did my first marathon in 2015 at Brighton (3.29…someone told me sub 3.30 was a respectable time, so that was my goal).
In 2015 after a couple of friends entered Ironman Wales I followed suit and roped Liz my partner in too. I started with my first coach, Dewi Winkle, at the beginning of 2015 as people kept asking me what training I was doing and I would just say 'going for a run and maybe a cycle'… questioning my answer as I was saying it. Let alone did I know what a brick session was, or this 'catch' they talk of in swimming.
Dewi, came in at the perfect time and I put a lot of my progression down to him. He spotted that I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but that I was having fun doing it. He encompassed my enthusiasm and his knowledge and worked wonders for my first Ironman in Wales. People would ask me what time I was aiming for and what's your this and what's your that... I didn’t have a clue. I just said I want to get round it as quick as I can. Wales went well, it suited my strengths…hills. And there I was fortunate enough to meet Mark Turner from Cambrian Tyres/Edco Wheels whom has supported me ever since.
It looks as though you’ve headed towards the Ironman distance relatively quickly in your triathlon career. Was Ironman something you knew about and was a particular goal from the start, or something you found out about along the way?
I'd always known about Ironman having seen that famous video of the two ladies crawling across the line at Kona, that’s when I set the goal of doing one by 25 (I was few years out due to my hip problem). When my friends said they were doing one in 2015 I was only out to ‘tick the Ironman box’…and here I am today, still ticking that bloody box.
You qualified for Kona at Ironman Wales 2015 in your first race over the distance. What was your approach ahead of that, and was securing a World Championship slot something you had given any thought to?
I just wanted to get around Ironman Wales. I'd done Helvellyn Triathlon in the lead up to it, got knocked off my bike by another competitor in the first mile, managed to carry on to get a front wheel puncture flying back down to transition and falling off…so mechanicals, punctures and the bike section are always a concern for me…the only thing that can go wrong that you can't control. (I finished that race by the way, the only race I've cried in…ha. And probably for my mate the most soul destroying race for him, being over taken by me four times and still finishing ahead). So, I always say I just want to get round a race, I never set myself up for disappointment. A successful race is knowing 'I've pushed as hard as I could for as long as I could.' My approach to Wales, with thanks to Dewi, was enjoy it! No race plan…just go for it…the best plan I could have asked for.
As much as I recall that video from Kona, I'd never really heard about what Kona was until the few weeks before, when someone said I was in with a chance of qualifying. Kona was the last thing on my mind. I crossed the line not even knowing I'd qualified.
How did you enjoy the Ironman Wales experience - and did your approach to 2016 then change once you accepted the slot for Kona?
I absolutely loved Wales! The atmosphere and the hills. I loved the bike course, tearing up the hills on my Boardman Team Carbon road bike (I still didn’t know what a TT bike was). The run was the tough part, four cheeky 10kms. Race plan; first two 10kms smash them hard, 3rd you know its going to hurt, 4th…well its only a cheeky 10km...
Following Wales, yeah, my approached changed and I realised I could push harder and be quicker. I was still making massive gains with Dewi, but following a training camp in Portugal I met Philip Hatzis, who showed me ways to really focus in on my training, especially with more intensity training sessions. I changed coaches I think in April 2016, and have continued to get faster and stronger.
Alison Wilson - Iron-distance Record
Race
AG/Pos
Swim
Bike
Run
Total
Ironman Wales 2015
25-29 - 1st
1:09:34
6:29:51
3:53:04
11:46:54
Outlaw Triathlon 2016
25-29 - 1st
1:07:53
5:19:05
3:13:18
09:45:36
Ironman World Champs 2016
25-29 - 6th
1:04:36
5:36:15
3:22:58
10:10:38
You probably first came to wider prominence when you won the Outlaw Triathlon in July and set a course record in the process. What were your expectations and hopes before that race, because pretty much everyone thought the women’s race was wide open yet you dominated it and won by more than half an hour?
I entered Outlaw (second ever iron-distance), to 'check I still had it in me.' I was knackered in the run up to the race as we didn’t want a big taper from training. I was fortunate enough to be sponsored by Raceskin who have continued to support me throughout, again another sponsor which I fell upon. I went into Outlaw in the back of my mind wanting to be in the top three, but you never know who turns up on the day, so an unrealistic goal. I'd done a 3.13 marathon by this stage so I was gunning for a similar time. The swim was rubbish… at one point I thought I saw Liz and waved... yes I waved whilst swimming… I’d already lost focus. So I was rather annoyed coming into T1, for which I got my head down and pushed hard to catch whoever was in front of me. Not the race plan my coach had given me…but it was the race plan I used when I started: push as hard as you can for as long as you can. I'm still learning that is not the most ideal way of racing, but hopefully that will come with experience. The Outlaw was fun, it was a confidence booster. Coming off the bike I thought…don’t crash and burn now, otherwise you will look like a tit. Ha! Seeing Dewi and some other familiar faces on the run course massively helped me along as well.
Tell us a little bit more about that link up with Philip Hatzis / Tri Training Harder, and how that changed your approach to training?
I met Philip in Portugal, having not realised I'd actually met him before in Wales for the swim recce. Funny story really… I was trying to blag a weeks work and training in Portugal so I sent in my C.V. That didn’t come about but we still went for a holiday. I liked his approach to training and structure, although one of the first questions I asked him was "where is the gym?". You have to ‘click’ with a coach and trust them and I found that I was fortunate with both of mine and we work well together. It changed my approach quite a bit, by then I had a TT bike, but was still riding in my cycle shoes of about 10 years. He introduced me to cycling with power, HR and zones…all of which I'm still learning. I used to just train, press start and stop and then go ‘yes!’ my exercise level was ‘intense’ today!
I love training and pushing myself further and am learning that sneaking in gym, CrossFit, running up big hills, surfing, mountain biking, dodging swimming sessions…may not be the best way to manage a training load, which slightly defeats the object of a coach. Still a huge learning curve.
On to Kona - let’s put the race itself aside for one moment, how did you enjoy the overall Kona experience and was it what you expected?
Going into Kona, Philip asked me what was my goal? I looked blankly and said to get round it. And he said ok, lets do that and have fun. Job done. I'm not your typical triathlete, I don’t like numbers/data/talking about bikes/kit/etc… so I stayed away from Kona itself and went exploring round Hawaii with Liz, swimming with dolphins, surfing, and exploring. The hype and the atmosphere was a little too much for me, as fun as it was on the day. I'm not a fun sponge honestly. It was what I expected and it made me think, yea, I've got this…enjoy it.
The race in Kona is often a humbling experience for the first timer - what was your plan / approach leading into the race?
There was a race plan…the main point I took from it (I probably should have taken more from it), was when you get to the climb, don’t just smash it up there (like you normally do), the race starts at the top. I gave it all I could on the bike, with Philip's plan in the back of mind and me thinking…jeez its hot, just maybe hold back a little. The run, again four cheeky 10kms, get the 3rd one done..it will be hard, but then its home…well that didn’t go to plan. The lava fields and highway, mental battle. I'm sure they moved that Energy Lab turnaround point. I lost focus and motivation, I didn’t know where I was in the race, it was the first time in a race, I thought…mmm I might not be able to run this all. I saw Philip in the last few miles and that gave me a little injection of pace but by that time I was shot. I crossed the line and shook my head…why?! Daft I know. I gave it all I could at that time, that to me is a good race.
You ended up with the fastest British female Age-Group time this year against some quality athletes - that’s quite a debut?
Yea it was a great debut, more training in the heat needed. I'm a Yorkshire lass, I burn easily and moving to New Zealand where it was their end of winter wasn’t probably the best set up for race conditions. And yes the quality of athletes is phenomenal, its such a great experience to race against such quality names and knowing that everyone in that race is going through the same level of pain…so just get it done.
Related Article: #GBKona 2016 - ALL of the GB & Ireland Women's results
On the other side of that, finishing sixth in your division (two minutes from fifth), meant that you missed out by just one place on earning the coveted Umeke trophy given to the top five. How frustrating - if at all - is that… and did you give any thought beforehand that a podium result was even possible?
Agreed, yes it was frustrating to find that out with only a few miles to go and then not be able to catch fifth, but again, I don’t mind. I gave it all I could, they were stronger than me, so I take my hat off to them all and look forward to training for next season where I can come back stronger and faster.
Often life gets in the way of training - yet you also had the additional challenge of moving to New Zealand in the your final weeks of preparation. Can you tell us a little more about that?
Emigrating is something I've always wanted to do, and meeting Liz who had the same plans was the best thing that could have happened. NZ has everything we want…the endless outdoors, the beach, the mountains, the surf, the snow and their relaxed way of life which allows a perfect work / life balance. It probably wasn’t the best of timings, but there’s no better way of exploring a new country other than getting out on your bike.
What did you learn from your experiences this year generally and from Hawaii?
What have I learnt from my experiences? From this year I have learnt what 'the catch' is in swimming, how to change an inner tube and that a bike is to be ridden, not to have your life taken over by looking after it and admiring it… it’s a bike. Ha! Alongside that… the most important part of training is to have fun and to push yourself to see what you can achieve. As an athlete with limited training background I'm learning every day, and sometimes learning the hard way. But I also know the importance of staying humble and not letting my competitive edge take over.
Having had such a great year, do you have any plans and triathlon objectives for 2017? Is a return to Kona something that appeals?
Next year I have a schedule already in place with a few races in place and a race is a race for me, I will give it all on the day and see where I get to. I’d love to go back to Kona, without a doubt, maybe this time with more sunscreen and more training in the heat. But the main thing is I’ll be exploring NZ in our campervan, fitting in training around that.
Any supporters, sponsors, coaches etc. that you want to recognise / thank for helping you along the way!
I’d like to thank Mark Turner at Cambrian Tyres/Edco, Colin McNeil at Raceskin and Laura Mundy at Threo. Furthermore, to Paul Lew at Ventum who came to the rescue with some race wheels. Additionally, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support from Dewi Winkle, Philip Hatzis, Liz and my family for their consistent support. And finally, to my friends who think I’m a ‘fun sponge’ for going to bed early and not having a drink…cheers guys.
©Graham Beardsley
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Gwen Jorgensen's New York City Marathon
14th for Gwen Jorgensen at 2016 TCS New York City Marathon
Olympic Triathlon Champion Gwen Jorgensen took on her first marathon - 10 miles further than she has ever run previously - on Sunday in New York, and finished in 2:41:01.
Not quite sure what I've gotten myself into ... Excited? ✅ Nervous? ✅Ready?❓Let's do this 26.2miles/42km 😬👊🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️ pic.twitter.com/f1T38fmMaD— gwen jorgensen (@gwenjorgensen) November 5, 2016
Going through halfway in 1:15:52, a 19:33 5km split between 20-25km was the first sign that her early pace was starting to tell, and that continued over the closing half of the race. No 'blow up', but I suspect she'll feel the effects of the final 15km when she wakes up on Monday morning!
Disappointed but not sure why and not sure what I would have been happy with. I am happy I ran it thou. Super tough but fun 👊👏🎉🏃♀️ https://t.co/AvL1NReDbB— gwen jorgensen (@gwenjorgensen) November 6, 2016
You can see a full analysis and breakdown of her race below:
Other Female Triathlon Marathon Performances...
Just last week the 2012 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final winner, Anne Haug, finished the Frankfurt Marathon in 2:36:13 (12th).
The athlete that Gwen beat to Gold in Rio, Nicola Spirig (SUI), ran 2:37:12 when finishing 24th in the 2014 European Athletics Championships Marathon (24th), while another Olympic Silver medalist, Vanessa Fernandes (POR), has run a 2:31:22 (Valencia 2015, 6th).
Other well-known 'triathlon' marathon runners include Ironman World Champion Erin Baker (NZL), who ran 2:36:57 (Pittsburgh 1989, 3rd), and the late Jackie Gallagher (AUS), who after her triathlon career (ITU World Champion in 1996, plus Silver medallist in 95 / 97 / 99) went on to a competitive marathon career which included a Commonwealth Games Bronze medal in 2002. She had a marathon PB of 2:32:40 from Nagoya in 2004.
However, to the best of my knowledge, the most distinguished and fastest female 'triathlete' related marathon runner was Sonja Oberem (GER). Under her maiden name of Sonja Krolik she was the ITU World Junior Triathlon Champion in both 1991 (Gold Coast) and 1992 (Huntsville), was fourth in the senior ITU World Championships a year later in Manchester, and then in 1994 was ETU European Elite Champion.
Sonja switched from triathlon to marathon running and had a long career including many of the major big city marathons, running under 2:30 at least 13 times, with a personal best of 2:26:13 when winning the Hamburg Marathon in 2001. She also finished eighth in the Atlanta Olympics (1996) and 24th in the Sydney Olympics (2000). She was also fourth in the 1997 London Marathon.
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The best value triathlon around?
Jet Set Super Vet sings the praises of local racing
It's been a while since we heard from our resident Jet Set Super Vet (JSSV), Stuart Lumb. And that - hands up, guilty! - is the fault of this Editor, who has been rather slow in getting Stuart's latest update online. Here, finally, we're back up to date...
In his latest piece, Stuart sings the praises of a local triathlon event to him, the Goole Triathlon (website) which he took part in this summer, an event he describes as the best money triathlon around. In an arena increasingly dominated by mass participation and commercial events, there are still plenty of alternatives out there to mix up your own porfolio of races. Variety is the spice of life as they say.
If you have overlooked your own local, smaller-scale club events, perhaps you should think again?
Biggest is not always the best...
The sport of triathlon is riding the crest of a wave, cemented by our great Team GB results in Rio, with three medals coming back to God’s Country - say no more. Hence, there has been an explosion in the number of outfits putting on events, some quite a lot more expensive than others... but you pay your money and you take your choice.
In my book, the best value for money is the Goole Triathlon. Why? Well, it’s local, cost a mere £15 to enter (and that includes an extremely attractive T-shirt), and starts at the civilised time of 9.30am. The Goole Tri Club is a dedicated group of enthusiastic individuals, with one member - photojournalist Sean Stewart - in particular, spending hours cleaning up litter off the event route and badgering the council to fill in pot holes, and they all do a great job in running such a successful race.
The event itself is a sprint, comprising a 500m river swim, 12km bike split and a 5km run. A slight downside is the split transition, but for just £15... T1 is a small field at the rear of a well-appointed hotel, with bikes being racked... on the grass.
The swim takes place in the river Derwent, its claim to fame being that it rises only 10 miles from the sea near Scarborough but then winds itself west and south for 70miles before finally joining the Ouse, near Howden.
Competitors walk 500m upstream from T1, avoiding (not always), the cowpats to the swim start. The river is pretty narrow and so athletes are set off in small groups at timed intervals. After 500m swimmers clamber out up the steep river bank – marshalls haul the less able (me!) up by means of a stout rope – and it’s into T1 and on to the bike (with grateful thanks to sponsor DuPont for my Lazer helmet and ultra cool new Oakley photochromics).
The 12km bike is flat, on road surfaces some very much in need of new tarmac. The course takes riders over the old Ouse swing bridge and there’s time to check out the huge and quite stunning road bridge that carries the M62 over that same river. T2 is in the village of Hook and there are racks here for the bikes.
The run is an out-and-back 5k. It starts on tarmac, followed by a route along the grassy river bank, terminating back in Hook. I was well down the field – nothing new for JSSV – but I started my swim to the rear of the field plus a road accident stopped me doing a decent bike split. Even so, I was able to tow a fellow sufferer along which helped both our run splits.
At the finish I was given my goody bag which included a nice medal plus the aforementioned T-shirt of course. I was salivating by this time – not through my exertions – but due to the mouth watering aroma of frying bacon. Like the Queen, I carried no money but a very kind gentleman took pity on me and gave me a delicious bacon butty FOC. What a star!
The prizes were presented by the Mayor of Goole after which I collected my bike and rode at a leisurely pace back to T1, which was where I’d left my car. It’s worth mentioning that the organisers run a shuttle bus which takes bikes up to T1, allowing competitors to park near the finish, plus that same bus brings back the wetsuits from T1 to the finish.
In conclusion, I had a great time competing in the Goole Triathlon. It’s run by a fantastic bunch of guys who do it all for nowt. Weatherwise, it was hot enough to “crack t’flags” (for non –Tykes , not the cloth variety), which is a bonus for me, plus I am not writing my usual stuff about coming in as Lanterne Rouge. Being a small friendly event there were quite a few first timers competing so I hope their experience of our great sport was a good one and it will wet their appetite to compete again in the near future – and at next year’s event: Sunday 16th July 2017.
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Triathlon on TV: Challenge Aruba
CHALLENGE ARUBA – this Sunday 13th on Ch4 at 06.15 and Ch4+1 at 07.15
Known as the Happy Island, Aruba in the Caribbean is the venue for the latest addition to the Challenge family of triathlons. Attracted by the course which takes in the crystal clear waters of the island, rolling hills and white beaches, a top class field of pro athletes will take part in 2016’s inaugural event.
Last few programmes from Dream Team TV on Channel 4 for 2016!
November
Snowdonia Triathlon Festival - 19th November
Sandman Triathlon - 26th November
December
Itera Ireland Expedition Race 10th December
the Three Peaks Yacht Race 17th December
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Tri recycling: plastic bottles to boardshorts
Here is a great story of sustainability and recycling from the Brighton and Hove Triathlon.
Working in conjunction with Brighton College and Riz Boardshorts, almost 5,000 empty plastic bottles from the water stations have avoided the litter bins by being recycled, and turned into... boardshorts!
Brighton & Hove Triathlon turns bottles to board shorts in green initiative
Named the world’s first ‘One Planet City’, sustainability is in the hearts of many Brightonians. To protect the city’s beautiful seafront, the Brighton and Hove Triathlon joined forces with Riz Boardshorts and Brighton College for their inaugural event. On race day, students from Brighton College collected nearly 5000 empty plastic bottles from water stations on the triathlon course and recycled them with a twist.
Inspired by three core elements: sustainability, substance and style, Riz Boardshorts create swim shorts made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Designed by a hand-selected group of artists and illustrators, they are then produced using recycled fabric and digital printing techniques.
Brighton and Hove Triathlon Director Lisa Clayton said of the partnership: ‘there is often so much waste at big sporting events so we felt it absolutely essential to be proactive and recycle from the outset. Environmental sustainability is something all of us at the triathlon really value, so to then see this transformation to sustainable clothing was fantastic.’
Fundraising is at the core of the company and the unique designs incorporate sea themes to promote an appreciation of the natural world. With our seas and oceans besieged by rubbish, Riz Boardshorts work with, and donate to, a variety of charities such as the Marine Conservation Society, organising and supporting beach clean ups and highlighting the need to educate ourselves about the issues of ocean pollution and endangered species.
To check out the Riz Boardshorts range, visit http://www.rizboardshorts.com
For more information or to enter the Brighton and Hove Triathlon, visit http://brightonandhovetriathlon.com/
For more information on The Sport and Fitness Show, visit http://www.sportandfitnessshow.com/
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IRONMAN France sets revised 2017 date
IRONMAN France IS confirmed for 2017 - Sunday July 23rd
It's consistently been one of the most popular IRONMAN events of the European calendar, and a venue that attracts huge numbers of British athletes every year - and now IRONMAN France in Nice has been confirmed with a new date of Sunday 23rd July 2017. There had been concerns over its place in the calendar at all following the terror attack in Nice on 14th July last year, but its place in the schedule has now been confirmed with a revised date.
The race now falls one week after IRONMAN UK (Bolton) on 16th July 2017. Here is the official confirmation.
We are happy to announce that registration is now open for the iconic IRONMAN France Nice that will take place on Sunday July 23, 2017.
After several meetings with local authorities, we are excited to announce that the 2017 race will have the same exceptional course as in prior years. The date change was the result of a one year moratorium on all events at this location, out of respect for the victims and families of the July 2016 attack.
Our ambition, as always, is to exceed all of your expectations and provide an extraordinary race experience. Swim in the crystal clear water of the Mediterranean Sea, cycle on a challenging, one-loop bike course between the coast and the mountain range, and finish your unforgettable day with a marathon on the Promenade des Anglais.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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WIN with HIGH5 and Zone3
Win a Zone3 Aspire Wetsuit and HIGH5 Nutrition Bundle
British sports nutrition brand HIGH5 (www.highfive.co.uk) have joined with British wetsuit and apparel brand Zone3 (www.racezone3.com) to offer you the chance to win a Zone3 Aspie wetsuit (£299.99) plus over £300 of HIGH5 product.
Entry is simple and quick - good luck!
Aspire Wetsuits and a winter training nutrition bundle
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ERDINGER Athlete of the Month: October 2016
ERDINGER Athlete of the Month - October 2016. And the winner is... "The Postman"!
Last month we announced Michael Smallwood as our ERDINGER Athlete of the Month, presenting him with our award and recognition for September 2016.
It's now time to reveal the recipient of our selection for the month of October 2016.
There's just no getting away from it... the month of October in the world of triathlon is dominated by one word: KONA! From the biggest coverage of the IRONMAN World Championship we've ever attempted, the results of the British athletes there were always going to be a key factor in determining where our award would go this month. 12 months ago we selected Lucy Charles based on her result in Hawaii, and once again it is to the biggest race in the sport that we turn to for inspiration. That said, our selection also has a significant element of "lifetime achievement" attached to it as well. Read on to find out why, and who we have 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 athlete's efforts over many months, years…or even decades in some cases!
Overcoming setbacks, challenges or obstacles.
We have a long list of people here that we would be massively pleased to present this award to... but we have to select just one, from the many very worthy potential recipients.
Please do continue to keep your 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 and 2016
OCTOBER 2016: ALISON ROWATT
A member of Team Freespeed Skechers Performance, Alison Rowatt to my mind really is "The Postman" of Age-Group racing in British triathlon, because, just like the postman... she always delivers! I've been using that term to describe Alison for several years now - and I mean it as a genuine compliment to her consistent excellence, time and time again. Thankfully, it hasn't proven to be a curse.
Collecting the Umeke award in 2013 & 2015
In Hawaii this year Alison secured her third podium Umeke in four attempts on the big island, finishing second in the F35-39 division, to add to two previous second place finishes in the F30-34 category. Over those three races she has also been second, first and second in terms of 'fastest British Age-Group female' too, again demonstrating her remarkable consistency.
The collection continues in 2016
However, Alison's triathlon year and indeed career extends beyond just her results in Kona. Let's look at 2016 in aggregate:
May: IRONMAN 70.3 Barcelona - 4th overall (including Pro's), 35-39 Winner, fastest AG'er overall
July: IRONMAN Switzerland - 12th overall (including Pro's), 35-39 Winner, second fastest AG'er overall
August: Scottish Middle Distance Championship - WINNER
October: IRONMAN World Championship - Second, 35-39.
An ERDINGER Shower at the Scottish Middle Distance Championships
Alison has also excelled at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships too, winning Gold (F25-29) in 2010 and Silver (F30-34) last year in Austria.
Don't think these results come easy... the Kona recovery area this year!
How does she do it? "With an incredible work ethic which has to be seen to be believed!", her partner Fraser Cartmell tells me. It's not been an easy year either, with major surgery around Christmas 2015 meaning little exercise until early Spring, all around a full-time job. A very worthy winner of this award? Absolutely. Congratulations Alison
We are delighted to make Alison Rowatt our ERDINGER Alkoholfrei AOTM for October 2016. Alison 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 November 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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Human Race Off-Road Series cancelled
No Human Race Off-Road Series for 2016/2017
It's been a staple fixture of the off-road duathlon and running scene for many years now, but today Human Race (www.humanrace.co.uk) have announced the cancellation of their Off-Road Series of events, featuring the WildMan, IceMan and MudMan events, citing difficulties in obtaining the necessary permissions at the venues.
Entrants to the races have been emailed today, and the update (reproduced in full below), posted on the event website.
We are extremely disappointed that we have had to cancel the 2016/17 Off-Road Series.
Unfortunately, at this late stage, the final permissions for use of the Ministry of Defence land where the event takes place have been withdrawn and we are unable to host WildMan on 19th November. We have tried everything we can to change this decision, but have been unsuccessful with our efforts.
Permissions for use of the venues for both IceMan (3rd December) and MudMan (11th March) are also under scrutiny and we would only get confirmation a matter of days before each event. We’ve thought long and hard about this and don’t feel that this would be fair on our participants.
We are devastated to have to make this decision – it’s a series we love to organise and we ask for your understanding in a situation that is out of our control.
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2016 Challenge Family bonuses announced
CHALLENGE FAMILY AWARDS EUROPEAN PRIZE MONEY BONUSES
CHRIS FISCHER AND MIRJAM WEERD EACH TAKE HOME A €25,000 BONUS
€140,000 in bonus prize money has been awarded across the top five finishers in the Challenge Family European Prize Money points race. The €140,000 end-of-season bonus has been awarded in addition to the €38,000 prize money per long distance race and €19,000 per half-distance Challenge Family race in Europe.
The final event of the European prize money points race was concluded at Challenge Forte Village Sardinia, where it was determined that Chris Fischer and Mirjam Weerd where the respective winners of the men’s and women’s points race. Both Fischer and Weerd take home a €25,000 bonus.
MEN’S EUROPEAN PRIZE MONEY BONUSES
POSITION
ATHLETE
COUNTRY
POINTS
BONUS PRIZE MONEY
1
Chris Fischer
DEN
1,200
€25,000
2
Jan Raphael
GER
1,000
€17,000
3
Giulio Molinari
ITA
990
€13,000
4
Wijnalda Dirk
NED
940
€10,000
5
Per Bittner
GER
810
€5,000
Fischer began his assault on the points race with a win at the full-distance Challenge Herning in Denmark and then backed it up with a second place finish at Challenge Poznan (half-distance), second at Challenge Regensburg and fourth place at Challenge Mogan Gran Canaria (half-distance).
Chris Fischer, 2016 Challenge Family European Prize Money Bonus Winner:
“It was from the beginning of the year a target for me to reach the top spot. To actually reach that goal is still a little surreal for me.”
“Winning a series that's been on for the most of 2016 also means that I have been consistent and for that I am very proud. It feels good to win a single race, but winning the rankings feels much bigger. I have had my best season so far.”
“I would like to thank Challenge Family for making this initiative, for the kindness and hospitality from each and every organizer I have met in 2016”
WOMEN’S EUROPEAN PRIZE MONEY BONUSES
POSITION
ATHLETE
COUNTRY
POINTS
BONUS PRIZE MONEY
1
Mirjam Weerd
NED
1,350
€25,000
2
Yvonne Van Vlerken
NED
1,250
€17,000
3
Erika Csomor
HUN
1,090
€13,000
4
Anne Jensen
DEN
875
€10,000
5
Julia Viellehner
GER
850
€5,000
Like Fishcer, Weerd made a hot start to the points race at Challenge Herning in Denmark taking the win at the full distance. Weerd’s consistent European season included second place at Challenge Samorin (half distance), second place at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam (full distance), fourth at Challenge Gran Canaria and finally, a third-place finish at Challenge Aruba (half distance).
Mirjam Weerd, 2016 Challenge Family European Prize Money Bonus Winner.
“The Challenge European Prize Bonus has been a great incentive. I always love to race Challenge Family races as they are always true to 'All About the Athlete'. In that sense, picking out races was easy and fun.”
“The circuit attracted interesting fields of athletes. As the season went on I could feel the competition rise. The circuit asked for a smart race strategy and good tactics. For me it means a lot to come out on top. Not just for the money, which is off course very welcome to me as a professional athlete. But more so winning means I've been consistent throughout the season, something that is not easy in triathlon.”
“I'm looking forward to the European battle next season. I expect it to be even more competitive as more athletes will be going after the bonus. Thank you to Challenge Family for giving us professional athletes the chance to race in a great circuit for a great reward.”
Zibi Szlufcik, Challenge Family CEO.
“We are thrilled to be able to award the 2016 European Prize Money bonuses and congratulate Chris and Mirjam on their outstanding wins. The European Prize Money bonus scheme is only possible with the support of our many incredible partners across Europe and to them we offer our sincere thanks.”
The points system for the 2016 Challenge Family European Prize Money bonus scheme began at Challenge Fuerteventura in May and included 24 full and half distance races across Europe, concluding at Challenge Forte Village Sardinia in October.
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