Race Reports

Once the Triathlon season is finished,  many club members enter running events, to pursue additional goals other than pure triathlons.

Lisbon Marathon

Tony Asquith completed the Lisbon Marathon in mid October along with his son and best man.

Ed Barnes: Duathlons

Ed Barnes had a few busy weeks in October, when, after 3 months of intensive training, he completed the Windsor Half Marathon, Oulton Park Standard Duathlon and finally the Bedford sprint Euro Qualifier Duathlon (5km run, 20km bike and 2.5km run) on the 16th October, achieving 1.02.18 in gusty winds and torrential rain.

Beachy Head Marathon Saturday 29th October

The Eastbourne Beachy Head Marathon is one of the biggest off-road marathons in the UK. Formerly known as the Seven Sisters Marathon, it is popular for its scenic and challenging route through the South Downs National Park countryside. Four members participated this year, with Jean Fish completing the course in 6 hours, Amanda Durrant in 6.02, Sam Drake in 6.37 and Simon Hodges, along with wife Josie, in  just over 7 hours.

End of Season Saturday morning training swim in Ardingly Reservoir Saturday 29th October

Fifteen swimmers braved the chilly water early Saturday morning, with some in fancy dress, to celebrate 6 months of swim training on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings,  deservedly followed by bacon rolls and mulled wine!

River Thames Autumn Half Marathon Sunday 30th October

Vicky Von der Linden took on this event which is alongside the River Thames, achieving a personal best of 2.06.00. She was joined by her brother Luke Davids who achieved 1.34.29.

Dublin Marathon Sunday 30th October

Occasional MSTC member George Murray completed the Dublin Marathon, his first, in 3.00.59, earning automatic entries into the London Marathons of 2018 and 2019 - if he wants them!

South Downs Marathon

Darren Bird and Douglas Mac Taggart competed in the South Downs Marathon, starting at Slindon College and then following a route up to and along the South Downs Way to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park at Petersfield. Darren completed his marathon in a very respectable 3.27.13 whilst Doug completed his 150th marathon in 4.58.37.

River Arun 3.8km swim

Twelve members competed in the 3.8 km swim from Arundel to Littlehampton on Saturday morning. Sarah Moore finished in a fantastic 11th position and was the second woman to finish on 53.07. She was followed by Katie Chatfield on 59.21 (71st), Mark Jordan 1.00.02 (77th) and Mike Jaffe 1.05.52 (135th).  Debbie Nisbet 1.08.21, David Ricketts 1.09.38, Simon Hodges 1.11.00,  Sharon Chaldek 1.11.38 and Rose Ryan 1.15.58 were not far behind.

Dambuster Olympic Distance Triathlon at Rutland Water

Eight MSTC athletes made the journey up the A1 to Rutland Water on Friday night to take part in the Dambuster, an Olympic-distance triathlon that started early on Saturday morning and was a qualifier for this summer's age-group World Championships in Mexico.

 Conditions were cold and overcast for a 1500m swim in Rutland Water, followed by a 42k bike ride on the roads around the reservoir and a 10k run that went out across the dam and back, finishing in front of a large crowd, stoked up by pumping rock music and an excitable race commentary.

 Callum Murray led the Mid Sussex contingent home in 2.54.26, just 18 seconds ahead of Matt Critchley in 2.54.54, who in turn was followed by Julienne Stuart-Colwill, the first MSTC woman home in an impressive 3.02.42.

 Cliff Wilson finished in 3.14.49, Joanne Barton in 3.19.51 and Ricci Lennon was delighted with a 3.23.13 in her first-ever Olympic-distance triathlon.

 Tracy Brownings wasn't far behind in 3.34.38 and she was followed home by Angela Murray in 3.43.17 and by Clair Hunt in 3.58.44.

 All these results were put into perspective, however, by the overall winner's time, an amazing 1.58.21, not far off the time that the winner of this summer's Olympic triathlon in Rio de Janeiro might expect to post. This was a high-quality field.

Saturday Morning swim in Ardingly Reservoir

Meanwhile 11 members did the regular 8am swim in Ardingly Reservoir, supported by 3 safety observers in kayaks and on the dock.

East Sussex Cycling Association 50 mile Time Trial Sunday 19th June

Nine members competed in the 50 mile time trial along the A22 in East Sussex. Kevin James was first member home on 2.16.04, followed by Neil Giles 2.16.32 and Phil Couch on 2.18.43. Lawrence Wintergold, Colin Chambers and Jez Fallon finished on 2.20.27, with Graham Bond 2.20.54, Steve Alden 2.21.49 and Sharon Chaldek 2.31.12 also competing.

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.

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.