Race Reports

Comrades Ultra Marathon

Douglas Mac Taggart competed in the Comrades Ultra marathon on Sunday 29th May running the 89 km from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in South Africa. Doug was really pleased with his time of 10hrs 36mins 55 secs which earned him a comfortable bronze medal.

James Graham's Marathon and Ironman Challenge in aid of The Alzheimer's Society

Dr James Graham of Hassocks and a Mid Sussex Triathlon Club member has set himself a big challenge of completing three marathons in under 3 hours in 22 days and then competing in four Ironman events culminating in the World Ironman Championships in Hawaii on the 8th October. James is dedicating this effort to a dear friend who has Alzheimer's Disease and every penny raised will go to the Alzheimer's Society as he is paying for all race entries, travel, accomodation etc.

So far James has completed the three marathons in Paris 2.59.20, Brighton 2.51.49 and London 2.55.45 as well as the Ironman in Lanzarote in 13.56.48. James will compete in further preparation Ironman events in Weymouth and Tenby in September before tackling the prestigious World Ironman event in Hawaii in October.

If you would like to support Dr Graham's challenge and donate to the Alzheimer's Society please go to https://www.justgiving.com/James-Graham19.

Mid Sussex Junior Triathlon Event Sunday 15th May

Many members and club coaches were at Great Walstead School's playing field and pool for the club's Junior Triathlon event on Sunday 15th May. About 25 juniors from 8 - 15 years participated in triathlons of varying lengths depending on their age. They were divided into 3 groups, each with a club coach, and had all received some training on previous weekends. The young ones did a 30metre swim, followed by a 700m bike ride and finished with a 700m run. The older ones did up to a 240m swim, a 2-3km bike ride and a 1.4km run. They received a full briefing and bike safety check before commencing. They were encouraged by many parents and grandparents, all cheering and ringing cow bells, which made it all very enjoyable, and much easier for the participants,  leading to some excellent performances.

Swashbuckler Middle Distance Triathlon

Four keen members participated in the Swashbuckler Middle Distance Triathlon event at Bucklers Hard in Hampshire on Saturday 15th May.  This involves a 1.9km swim in the chilly (16 degrees) Beaulieu River, a 90km bike ride in the New Forest and a 22km run. All recorded personal bests in glorious sunshine, with Steve Alden coming first in his M55 category on 5.04.01. Brad Williams was 6th in the same category on 5.53.50 with his wife Julie Williams placing 3rd in the F50 category on 6.22.15 and Jean Fish placing 3rd  in the F55 category on 6.38.28.

4 Sight Charity 40 mile Bike Ride

Steve McMenamin, Jo Fleming, Lawrence Wintergold and Paul Virgo helped out at the 4 Sight Charity 40 mile Bike Ride which started at The Thatched Inn, Hassocks on Sunday 15th May. This comprised of 14 tandems and 2 triplets where the back riders (stokers) are blind or severely visually impaired. The Mayor of Haywards Heath and the Charity's Chief Executive were on the triplets.

Ten members competed in the East Grinstead Sprint Triathlon on Sunday 8th May. 

Anthony Vince came 15th overall on 1:16:48 whilst Rob Hoodless was 2nd in the M50 category on 1:19:24 and Rachael Baker was 2nd in the W40 category on 1:22:24.

Ed Cockill had a good performance on 1:23:21 with Callum Murray 1:28:56 and Matthew Critchley 1:32:24 not far behind.

Julienne Stuart-Colwill 1:33:26, Sarah Hinon 1:43:29, Angela Murray 1:45:10 and Clair Hunt 1:56:25 completed the club's entry.

London Marathon

Eight members entered the London Marathon on Sunday, with James and Helen Graham finishing in the leading positions among club members on 2.55.45 (Men) and 3.56.06 (Women).  Mike Jaffe was the second male club member home, just behind James on 2.59.15. Chris Heywood was pleased with his 3.50.17, while Matt Critchley 4.02.46 and Mike Hook 4.17.11 were not far behind. Tony Asquith 4.58.24 and Emma Smith 6.18.31 completed the club's participation.

They all enjoyed the vocal support from the large crowd and the fantastic atmosphere. Club members would also like to congratulate club member Kat Barrett (running as a Haywards Heath Harrier) on her impressive 3.27.22.

Mike Hook and Chris Heywood looking sprightly at the start.

Chris showing off his medal

Mike Jaffe showing off his medal and 1980's timer

Tony Asquith with his most hard earned medal

Shakespeare Marathon, Stratford on Avon

Doug Mac Taggart competed in the Shakespeare Marathon at Stratford on Avon. He was pleased with his time of 4.20.27 missing his target by 27 seconds. This event was a  continuation of Doug's training for the worlds largest and oldest Ultra Marathon, the 90km Comrades Marathon in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa,  on the 29th of May.

The weekend was really busy with members competing internationally, locally and for charity:

European Sprint Duathalon Championships in Kalkar, Germany

Lucy Williams was extremely pleased to place 6th in her age group in the Sprint Duathalon (5km run 20km bike and 2.5km run). The event has a spectacular setting alongside the River Rhine and within the grounds of Wunderland Kalkar. Lucy commented that the event was awesome and she had surpassed all her expectations with the performance of her life so far (1.11.36) and this had really given her something to build on for the World Championships at Aviles in northern Spain in June.

Club Duathalon at Ardingly Reservoir raising funds for Chailey Heritage Foundation

The main club event was a Duathalon at Ardingly Reservoir with entry fees being donated to the Seymour Department at Chailey Heritage Foundation for their Activity Week. This raised about £250.

Twenty three members turned out on a sunny Sunday morning for this very enjoyable club event which had options for a Short Course of 5km run, 15mile bike 2.5km run or the Standard Course of 10km run 25mile bike and 5km run.
Twelve members chose the Short Course with George Murray coming home 1st in 1.23.53 and Mike Jaffe second in 1.26.35 in the men's section and Emma Jaffe 1.45.42 and Sarah Hinton claiming the top places in the women's section. The occasion was quite a family affair with five family teams taking part.

Brighton Marathon

Ten other members chose to do the Brighton Marathon. In the men's section Jim Graham was very pleased to record 2.51.49 giving him 32nd place overall and 6th place in his age group. Edward Cockill was delighted with 3.36 in his first marathon, and Doug MacTaggart felt comfortable with 3.53. Jim said he really enjoyed the run, got stronger during the race and felt good afterwards. Jim is in training for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in October, whilst Doug is training for the Comrades Marathon in South Africa at the end of May. This nearly 90km race starts in Pietermaritzburg and finishes in Durban. Doug is also competing in a couple of Ironmans later in the year. Peter Barnaby 3.46, and Simon Hodges 4.32 also competed. In the women's section Kate McTear came 42nd on 3.22.12, Nicola Cowles placed well on 4.37 with Amanda Durrant on 5.00, Kay Mcmenamin on 5.01 and Emma Smith on 5.54.

Windsor & Eton Duathalon

On Saturday Tony Asquith competed in the Standard Distance Duathalon (10km bike 40km bike 5km run) at the popular Olympic Rowing Centre at Dorney Lake recording 3.01. This is a flat course held on completely closed roads providing a safe environment. Tony commented that it was a really nice, traffic free event although the weather was poor. He is therefore looking forward to trying the event again in better weather.