Race Reports

Midnight Wo/Man AquaBike Event, Dartford, 14th August

This is a friendly event, set amongst scenic lakes, formerly gravel pits, within sight of the QE2 Bridge at Dartford. It involves racing through the night to the finish line. Lawrence Wintergold finished 2nd overall and first in his 55-60 age group in the Aquabike event involving a 1.9km swm and 90km  bike ride. Lawrence commented that the bike ride was very different in the dark, with many competitors having a variety of twinkling lights. It was also challenging trying to gauge the speed of slower riders when overtaking in the gloom.

Sunday 4th September

Poznan Ironman 70.3, Poland

Paul Newsome travelled to Poland for the Ironman 70.3 in Poznan, by the side of Lake Kierskie, the site of Poland's first Ironman in 1984. The 70.3 involves a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21.1km run.

Paul was delighted to finish 6th in his 35-39 age group in 4hrs 18mins.

Shropshire Middle Distance Triathlon, Sunday 4th Sept

Stewart Conway was in Shropshire for the Middle Distance Triathlon (2000m swim, 78km cycle, 20km run) and was very pleased with his age group win in 4.18.26, as it was a good warm up for the Weymouth 70.3 event on the 18th September.

Sunday 11th September

David Turner was in Snowdonia for the Big Brutal 5km wetsuit swim in the glacially formed Llyn Padarn, the 6th deepest lake in Wales. Despite the name this is known as a friendly and relaxed swim for new and experienced swimmers. David celebrated with a beer after completing his two circuits in 2.39.22.

Susie Cowie competed in the St Neots Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 24m bike and 5km run), her 1st with an open water swim, in the River Ouse. She said she enjoyed almost all of it, which she completed with her son, finishing in 2.07.05.

Meanwhile, along with about 2,000 other competitors, Doug MacTaggart went to Tenby for the very tough Ironman Wales. This comprises a gruelling 2.4 mile sea swim, a hilly 112 mile bike ride and an exhausting and also hilly 26.2 mile run. He started at 7.09am and finished at about 9.36pm, giving a total time of 14.27.31, which was well within the 17 hour time limit.

The Midnight Wo/Man is an amazing multi-sport event that sees competitors race through the night to the finish line. It has grown and now offers a whole range of races from sprint triathlon to full distance ironman triathlon. The friendly atmosphere is set against a backdrop of surprisingly scenic lakes in former gravel pits within sight and sound of the QE2 bridge at Dartford. Further adding to the attractions of this race is the fact that it is held on closed roads.

My chosen event was the half aquabike - 1.9k swim and 90k bike.

The evening was warm and bright with the temperature hovering around 30 degrees. 160 people milled around not wanting to get into their wetsuits until the last moment. Finally we were beckoned into the warm and clear water for a mass start. Being a rather sedate swimmer I waited until the keen ones had entered the churning mass at the front of the race and settled myself into a steady rhythm for 2 long loops of the lake. Having avoided being lapped, I was helped up a slippery slope by the welcome arms of the marshals for a short run to transition. At this point I realised that I hadn’t ever tried to get out of my new wetsuit in a hurry and probably should have greased up before the race or even have practiced. What followed must have been very amusing as I thrashed about failing to locate my zip cord and falling over my half mast suit when I did find it.

Somehow I managed to escape the clutches of my neoprene captor, clipped into the relative safety of my bike and set off into the setting sun. It was great not having to worry about cars and admiring the range of twinkling lights on competitors bikes. There was obviously a prize for the most opulent display with some people sporting full led frame lighting and disco light spoke illumination.

Offsetting the challenge of traffic was the technical nature of the course - 52 dead turns, 52 roundabout encounters, 26 right angle turns through bollards and the increasingly low sun. I have to confess to some accidental bollard bashing in my enthusiasm to negotiate the turns speedily. Counting the 13 laps was also a headache. My cunning plan of using elastic bands and pinging one off each lap went awry as the heat had caused several to let go before I even got on my bike. As the sun finally said goodbye the next challenge was gauging the speed of the slower riders by their lights and I saw a couple of near misses.

When I thought I had reached the end of lap 13 I pulled into transition for the final sprint to the line. It always feels like a cheat doing an aquabike when you see others set off for their run leg. It did mean I finished before midnight though. I had time to cheer the remaining triathletes on, especially the 10 who had elected to do the full ironman distance course. The night time temperature never dropped below 20 so it was both a balmy and barmy spectacle.

It was a treat to be part of such a welcoming and different event and realise Dartford was more than a crossing. I would really recommend this event.

Loz

Aquabike result: 3:03:53 - first in age group (55-60) and second overall (winner 3:02:06)

Lawrence Wintergold

Thames 13km Swim Marathon, Henley on Thames

Steve McMenamin competed in the 13km Thames Swim Marathon on Sunday 14th August.

This endurance race starts at Henley on Thames and finishes in Marlow. The swim is split into four sections with swimmers required to exit the water at three locks (Hambleden, Hurley and Temple) where drinks and energy snacks are available.

Steve said, "he knew the distance was going to be tough but as a diabetic the nutrition was his big concern, however that went well".  There were 800+ swimmers but  Steve had clear water most of the way, although there was some queuing at the locks.

Steve had a very good swim time of 4hrs 2 mins and a chip time of 4.22, placing him 59th out of 116 in the 46-55 age group.

On Saturday 23rd July the Mid Sussex Triathlon Club held a Junior Training Day for budding young triathletes at Ardingly College.

Twenty two children aged between 7 and 13 took part.  They were split into 3 groups based on their age, and each took part in a swimming, cycling and running training session as well as a transition session. 

Jonkoping, Sweden, Ironman 70.3, 9th July

Paul Newsome went to Jonkoping in Sweden for this event centered around crystal clear Lake Vattern, a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Paul was delighted to place 5th in his age group and 32nd overall in 4.26.57. This placing means that Paul has qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Finland in 2023.

Hereford Sprint Triathlon Sunday 10th July

Sarah Summerskill did really well by going back to her home county to do the Hereford Sprint Triathlon, placing 4th female and 1st in her age group in a quick 1.10.32.

Hedgehog Tri Swim the Lake at Ardingly Reservoir, Wednesday 20th July

Eleven members from Mid Sussex Triathlon Club  turned out for the popular Swim the Lake event . Paul Newsome placed 5th in the 3km event in 46.30 with Gareth Handley close behind in 48.57, placing 6th. Joan Murphy placed 3rd in 25 mins with Katie MacGregor 5th in 26.27. The event attracted about 70 swimmers with participants coming from Eastbourne, Littlehampton, Chichester, Horsham, South London and Twickenham. The options included 3km, 1.5km and 750m swim distances. The entry fees allowed Hedgehogtri to make a donation of £130 to a childrens Cancer Charity.

Outlaw Ironman, Nottingham, 24th July

Luc Berthouze and Sam Crofts went to the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham for the popular Outlaw Ironman Triathlon on Sunday 24th July. Luc finished 105th and an impressive 7th in his M50-54 age group in 11.12.45. Sam Crofts finished close behind in 11.29.09, placing him 25th in the M40-44 age group.