Race Reports

The Mid Sussex Sprint Triathlon was held at The Triangle Leisure Centre on Sunday 13^th June with 59 female and 111 male competitors taking part under social distancing rules. The event comprises a 400m swim in the Triangle pool, a 25km bike ride through country lanes in Wineham and Twineham, and a 5km run in Burgess Hill. About 15 other competitors also participated in either a short course triathlon or the aquabike option (swim and cycle only). This year the focus was on “participation not competition,” getting everyone back into sport and back to normality. Fortunately, the weather was fantastic with fine, sunny and dry conditions, which helped create the celebratory atmosphere.

This event is suitable for experienced triathletes and novices. The club members marshal the event, providing encouragement to all competitors as they make their way around the course. It is also popular with all age groups with more than 50 competitors in the Vets 50+ age group and about 30 competitors in the 60+ group.

Covid restrictions really changed the logistics of the event, with competitors arriving in small groups, rather than one large start. The race itself was also changed, with the “transition” sections between the swim, bike and run untimed, to allow everyone to walk between disciplines and stay socially distanced. It was very relaxing in comparison to previous years and a great way for everyone to get back into racing. The winning times were 1.01.41 in the male section and 1.12.43 in the female section, but no prizes were awarded this year as the focus was not on competition.

Race Director Jo Fleming thanked all the club members whose collective efforts made the event both possible and also so enjoyable.

Comments from first time triathlon entrants,  “I really enjoyed the event today despite the nerves and consequential lack of sleep! What a lovely team you work with – absolutely each and every person was fantastic! As it was my first Tri, I learned so much, “  and “ It was my first Triathlon and I used it as a mechanism for raising money for charity, so there was quite a lot at stake. However, my nerves were elevated by your very helpful and friendly volunteers, all happy and incredibly cheerful,” show the enjoyment which all participants felt.

Former Race Director Steve McMenamin was finally able to take part this year, having organised the event for many years. He commented,” It’s strange to swap roles from race director to competitor but it was amazing, from the cowbells that I could hear under the water to all the shouts of encouragement out on the course.”

Thanks so much to Jo and the whole of MST for yet another wonderful event.

All competitors received an attractive medal and refreshments at the finish.

More than 260 athletes took part in Mid Sussex Triathlon Club's annual sprint triathlon on Sunday 9th June, held at the Triangle Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill.

This year's sunny event attracted 85 female and 175 male competitors, ranging in age from 15 to 70. Competitors were mostly from other clubs in Brighton, Horsham, Crawley, Steyning, Crowborough and East Grinstead, but a few came from much further afield, including Ashford, Ealing and Devon. About a third of the athletes were beginners taking part in their first triathlon.

The sprint triathlon involves a 400m pool swim, a 25km bike ride through country lanes in Wineham and Twineham, and a 5km run in Burgess Hill. Fifteen competitors took part in the Aquabike event, involving just the swim and cycle, and there were also four relay teams, each with three athletes completing one discipline each.

The winner of the women's event was Sally Bliss in a time of 1.16.59, with Harriet Cunningham of Brighton Tri Club second in 1.17.01. Georgina Tasker of the Mid Sussex Tri Club was third in 1.19.53. Hannah Droscher was the second Mid Sussex Club member to finish in 1.30.40, followed by Sally Gardner in 1.32.30.

The winner of the men's event was Mik Onions of Brighton Tri Club in 1.03.46, with Jon Salisbury of Horsham Amphibians second in 1.06.36. Charlie Mactear was third in 1.06.43. The first Mid Sussex Tri Club member to finish was Dan Anniston in 1.10.31, followed by Luc Berthouze in 1.13.34 and Tom Spensley in 1.17.05.

There were several age group prizes, as well as an award for the Spirit of Triathlon, plus many spot prizes and a race number raffle. Each participant also received a goodie bag. The prizes were donated by local organisations including Hurstpierpoint College, Dinnages, CAE Simulation, Piople for Places, Tesco and Waitrose in Burgess Hill, Wisdom Sports, The Perrymount Clinic, Hassocks Opticians, Swim Secure, The Tri Store in Eastbourne, The Chia Co. Chia Seeds  and Mint-Ease. Charlie Langhorne from exhibition organiser Wild in Art was also a much-appreciated sponsor and also marshalled at the event wearing a bear suit, which won him the Best Marshal prize.

This triathlon has a reputation as a very welcoming event and is ideal for beginners, as well as experienced triathletes. It is marshalled by members of Mid Sussex Triathlon Club, who this year received many compliments from competitors on the club's Facebook page about their friendliness and encouragement.

Race Director Jo Fleming, in his first year in this position, was very pleased with the successful outcome of the event.

Over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd September, and despite the poor weather, members were competing in Swim Serpentine, the 170 mile Ragnar White Cliffs relay and the Weymouth Half Ironman (70.3).

Swim Serpentine

Six members took part in the 2 mile swim with Jeremy Paine being first club member to finish in 1.11.41, followed by Ricci Lennon (1.12.25), Jim Graham (1.15.51), Julie Williams (1.16.10), Sarah Hinton (1.17.14) and Helen Graham (1.35.57). Callum and Angela Murray took part in the 1 mile swim finishing in 43.16 and 55.50.

Ragnar White Cliffs 170 mile overnight relay run

Ten MSTC athletes took part in the Ragnar Relay, a 177 mile relay from Sittingbourne to Brighton following the coast. 7 men and 3 women, along with two mini buses, took part with each team member running 3 legs varying from about 4 to 8 miles per leg.

The team took just under 24 hours to complete the course although 4 legs had to be suspended due to severe weather conditions especially on the cliff top paths.

Torrential rain and wind made it very challenging, particularly as route finding was part of the challenge. It was a real test for everyone but was incredibly satisfying to overcome all the hurdles and win their category.

The team was comprised of Graham Bond, Steve Alden, Kevin James, Clair Hunt, Emma Alden, Mike Jaffe, Kate Eifler, Paul Richardson, Jo Fleming and Mark Jordan.

Weymouth Half Ironman

Colin Chambers and Charlie Langhorne braved the cold and wet conditions, with temperatures as low as 8C, to finish in 5.25.49 and 6.10.32.

Mid Sussex Triathlon Club is 3rd club out of 66 in SE England to achieve Trimark Club Bronze Accreditation

Last Tuesday evening Kelly Wickens from Triathlon England SE attended the club's open water swim session at Ardingly Reservoir to present the Trimark Club Bronze Accreditation Award to members.

The Bronze level is the entry point into the Triathlon England accreditation scheme. This level outlines that the club has confirmed it is a community club with a management committee, that it has a constitution, an active activity programme, and a Welfare Officer. Additionally the club coaches  must be operating within their qualification remit and the club should have an open and inclusive membership offer. The Mid Sussex Triathlon Club is the 3rd club out of 66 in the South East Region to achieve this award.

The open water swim sessions have proved to be very popular this summer with between 20 and 30 and sometimes over 40 swimmers taking part in the Tuesday evening and Saturday morning sessions. 

Eastbourne Rovers Cycling 10 Mile Time Trial: East Hoathly to Boship and back on A22

The Club's 10 mile TT Best All Rounder competition took place on Saturday 8th September within the Eastbourne Rovers event on the A22. Top woman was Emma Smith in a time of 32.41 (a PB) closely followed by Clair Hunt in a time of 34.23. Top man was Lawrence Wintergold in a superb time of 22.40 followed by Phil Couch 25.19. Derek Hastings (age 70+)  rode brilliantly in 30.44.

Ironman Wales

Meanwhile club member Doug Mac Taggart competed in the Ironman Wales event at Tenby on Sunday 9th September. Doug reported that he struggled a bit with his breathing initially in the swim, probably due to four weeks of no swimming, the last being at Maastricht in 27 degrees, and it was only 16 at Tenby. However he had a decent bike ride on the notorious hills, although not helped by pretty strong winds, and finished off with a good run to get around in 13:40:24. This event includes a marathon run which was Doug's 189th marathon. He plans to complete marathon number 190 at the Chiltern 50 next weekend and his 200th in Brighton in 2019, where he also ran his 100th marathon.

In spite of very low temperatures (there was an average air temperature during the bike leg of 11C) culminating in torrential rain in the afternoon, there were 68 athletes taking part in the TriFest.

The increasing popularity of this annual event is impressive and gratifying. It is organised by Steve Alden, together with the help of other club members, who time keep, patrol in kayaks and safety boats, put up signage, act as spotters, carry out registration and generally ensure that the day passes without a hiccough.

This year there were participants competing in Sprint distance, Olympic distance and Half Ironman distance groupings. The events began with a swim in Ardingly reservoir, followed by varying cycle routes through Turners Hill, Balcombe, Haywards Heath & Lindfield and finishing with the run sections around Ardingly Reservoir.

The sprint event was won by Jo Fleming in a time of 1.28.55 with Adam Bryant 2nd in 1.29.32. Jenny Blackwell was 1st woman to finish in 1.39.46 with Helens Jaconelli 2nd in 1.45.24.

The Olympic distance event was won by Ian Giles in 2.11.25 followed by Phil Couch in 2.14.56 and Andy McGregor in 2.25.30. Rachael Baker was 1st woman to finish in 2.29.20, followed by Lara Shoesmith in 2.58.11 and Sandra Westcott in 3.04.27.

The Half Ironman event was won by Matthew Chipping in 4.30.50, followed by Kate McTear in 4.34.06, Emily Iredale in 4.58.16, John McTear in 4.58.37, Anna Lawson in 5.02.36 and Steve Alden in 5.05.13.

Participants generally agreed that it was a great day; it was friendly and professional, with supportive and cheery volunteers. Thanks to everyone who took part.

The entry fees of 20 pounds each are collected and donated to the club's chosen charity Kangaroos, who organise year round clubs and trips out for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and complex medical needs. This year a very pleasing 1100 pounds was collected, which added to the 400 pounds collected in the earlier duathlon, makes a total of 1500 pounds raised so far this year.