Race Reports

Saturday 11^th September

Swimrun Holy Island, Anglesey

Three members went to North Wales for this coastal event (see image above). The sprint category of this event involves four swims (total 2.1km) and five runs (total 7.9km) along the beautiful coast of Anglesey. In order to get the most enjoyment from the event, Jean Fish, Sarah Hinton and Kay McMenamin ran together, finishing in 2.46.10.

5km Adur Swim

Eight members entered this event which starts in Shoreham with a 2.5km swim upstream in the slack water at high tide. Swimmers must avoid sandbanks to have a clear route. After turning at 2.5km the second half of the swim is then aided by the outgoing tide.

Kate Bradford was the first member home in an impressive 1.15.07, followed by Barry Davids (1.17.02), Esther Clutton (1.19.31), Liane Davids (1.22.54), Vicky Von der Linden (1.28.08), Adam Bryant (1.29.22), Vicki Revis (1.31.55) and Kirsty Perryman-Best (1.32.00). Vicky Von der Linden was pleasantly surprised with her time as she had not managed much training.

Sunday 12^th September

Half Ironman Bowood Wiltshire

Luc Berthouze enjoyed the Capability Brown parkland setting but there were some challenging hills for this very scenic half ironman event (1.2m swim, 56 mile bike, 21.1km run) on Bowood Estate, finishing in 5.05.50.

Brighton Marathon

Five members participated in the Brighton marathon this year in warm, sunny weather. Tom Haywood was the first to finish in a respectable 3.06.59. Mike Jaffe finished in 3.20.34, followed by Doug MacTaggart (4.55.10), Angela Murray in her first marathon (5.41.29) and Helen Graham (6.34.11). The organisers have apologised as the course was 568m too long!

World Long Distance Triathlon Championships Almere, Amsterdam

Stewart Conway continued in World Championship events in Amsterdam this weekend, finishing in 10.06.36 and placing 13^th out of 34 in his M45 age group and 83^rd out of 233 overall.

Here is some news of the range of activities of Mid Sussex Triathlon Club Members through the summer.

8th August Goodwood Ultra Triathlon

Stewart Conway placed an impressive 7th in the inaugural 255 Triathlon at Goodwood in 12.38.35. This is the world's longest single day Triathlon which involves a 5km swim, 200km bike ride and 50km run. The swim is in Westhampnett Lake whilst the bike ride and run are on the traffic free motor circuit. Competitors must complete the event in 18 hours. Despite the wind and rain, Stewart described it as a great day out.

21st/22nd August Seaford, Uckfield and Ripon

Liz Griffin Hind, who is a very experienced swimmer, completed her first triathlon at Seaford (750m sea swim, 20km bike ride, 5km run) in 1.36.51.

Carlos Castro went all the way to Ripon to compete in the Dalesman Triathlon, his first long distance ironman triathlon (3.8km swim, 180km bike ride, 42.2km run) in just over 12 hrs.

Meanwhile Zoe Deeley and Jon Clarke stayed local, competing in the Uckfield Standard Triathlon (600m swim, 22km bike ride, 5.25km run) finishing in 1.53.18 (11th woman) and 1.28.14 (22nd man), respectively.

4th September Aquasphere Chillswim 5.25 mile Lake Coniston End to End

After much training at Ardingly Reservoir through the summer Caroline Ray and Carl Clarke travelled to the Lake District on Saturday 4th September for the very popular 5.25 mile Lake Coniston swim, finishing in 3hrs 6min and 3hr 19 min respectively.

Ironman Uk at Bolton

While many in the country were still in bed, the competitors of Ironman UK 2021 were setting off on a daunting physical test in Bolton. Athletes began early in the morning with a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride around the town, before running a full marathon, all in the pouring train, making the bike run treacherous.

Stewart Conway and Doug MacTaggart were keen to take part as the event had to be postponed last year due to Covid. Stewart completed the course in a respectable 11hr 42 mins 10 secs giving him 12th place in his age group and  97^th place overall. Doug, who specialises in Ultra Marathons and who was competing in his 16th Ironman, finished in 15.46.18 to place 1012^th in this very popular event.

Outlaw Holkham Half Ironman

Outlaw Half Holkham is known as one of the UK’s most beautiful triathlon events with the 18th century Holkham Hall providing an inspiring backdrop to the swim. Luc Berthouse competing in his first Half Ironman was delighted to come 7^th in his age group with a good time of 4.57.42. This also placed him 117^th out of 1125 competitors.

Hever Castle Long Aquathlon

This event is part of the Festival of Endurance and comprises a lengthy 3,800m swim followed by a 21km run. Adam Bryant came 2nd in his age group for the second time, and 8^th overall in what he described as probably the hardest race he’d ever done.

Ardingly Reservoir Open Water Swimming

Meanwhile the club’s open water swimming continues at Ardingly on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. This is the club’s most popular activity with 39 swimmers on Saturday.

River Arun Swim

On Saturday 26^th June seven members of the club competed in the 3.8km Arun River swim. This very popular event starts from Ford Marina just after high tide, so swimmers get help from the outgoing tide. It finishes at the RNLI in Littlehampton.

John McTear was first club member to finish in 49.02, with Esther Williams 52.21, Liz Griffin-Hind 52.23, Barry Davids 54.55, and Adan Bryant 57.51, all completing the course in under an hour. Joanna Millington and Liane Davids were close behind on 1.01.36 and 1.01.46.

Brighton Pier to Pier

This is another popular event, also held on the 26^th June, with a sea swim of 1km between the two piers in Brighton. The weather was kind this year with sunny conditions and hardly any wind.

Tim Bergin achieved 10^th place in the wetsuit race in 22.46, and Michelle Robinson was 25^th in the Challenger race in 25.27. Former member Rose Ryan was the 41^st female in the Skins race in 24.42.

Dartford Bridge Sprint Triathlon

Mik Onions won the Sprint event in 1.05.27. Meanwhile Florence Wolfe finished in 14^th position (female) and 5^th in her age category in 1.23.25. This was Flo’s first triathlon; she commented afterwards that  it was a good start to  the Triathlon experience and a lovely event.

In early 1979 Michelle was born 10 weeks premature. She spent 4 weeks in an incubator in the Royal Sussex in Brighton and was then moved to Cuckfield Hospital. Her mum was only allowed to stay with her there after 7 weeks.

Thirty odd years later Michelle had the opportunity to support The Alexa Trust, a charity which raises funds for families with children in neonatal care, by swimming the Channel as part of team ‘A Splash of Orange’ on Monday 14^th June.

Michelle reported that the Channel Swim started at 0158am. She swam a total of 2hrs 51 mins including landing the team on a beach near Cap Griz Nez 12hrs 51 mins later. The last 51 mins were the toughest as I was told to swim hard and fast as we were at risk of getting taken back offshore by the currents. Fortunately, steady and strong is my forte. Now I am thrilled to have done it.

So far Michelle has raised £2750 for the Alexa Trust. Further donations may be made on her Just Giving page.