Brynsiencyn Time Trial a la Marc Jenkins.

The weekly time trials organised by Clwb Rasio Mona are varied and a good test of your time trialling prowess, and as they are the same few over the season, you can see if you are improving.
The Brynsiencyn time trial is an 8 mile out and back course, with a few bumps, but not too many. Your start position depends on what time you arrive , and as I'd made an early start fom my house about 11 miles away, to be in time for the 7pm start, I was number 4. I noticed after I'd paid that my front tyre was flat, but a quick re inflation with a track pump, and all seemed ok!!

The race started at 7, with me going off at 4 minutes past the hour. After the good warm up, my ride, I thought, was really good.

I travelled the 4 miles to the turn around point, and made my way back to the finish. After about 5 miles, I noticed that the front of my bike had dropped slightly, to my amazement, I had a puncture, I should have known earlier really, from the flat tyre at the start. Off I came, and as I had no spare tube nor puncture repair kit, I started to run the rest of the 3 miles. Marc Jenkins came to mind, when in the 2004 Olympics, he carried his bike for 2kMfollowing a collision, and although he didn't get a medal, he still finished, what a hero. After about 1.5 miles, my father arrived in the T5 Transporter, after one of the other triathletes, Arthur Connell had alerted him to my plight.

British Aquathlon Championships, Hyde Park, London.

The 7th race of the Dextro Energy ITU World Championships came to London on the weekend of August 6-7. As part of the weekend, the British Aquathlon Championships were also held.

I travelled to London the day before, the roads were quite quiet, and the journey was uneventful, apart from the sat nav taking us in the wrong direction as we approached the big City.

The big day arrived, and it was an early start, as I wanted to see the womens' elite race, which started at 8.30, and also register for my race and pick up my number and timing chip. The day was sunny, but it was still early as the triathletes walked through transition to the pontoon start. It was a non wetsuit swim, so the girls looked very cold, trying to keep warm, in either sponsored jackets or just towels.
A really good race, which saw Helen Jenkins take the win. Some race photos can be seen on SportpicturesCymru. After the race, it was back to the hotel to have some rest and something to eat. My race started at 6pm, so it was quite a long day.

I made my way back to Hyde Park at about 3.30, this time on the bus, as the taxi was very expensive earlier in the day. As we arrived the age groupers were competing in their race. All kinds of bikes were on show, from bikes with shopping baskets on the front, to some really nice time trial bikes with disk wheels.

I met up with Rich Brady, Welsh Triathlons performance coach before the race, along with other members of the team. Rich strongly suggested that I use a wetsuit for the swim, as this would give me some benefit against the non wetsuit swimmers. By this time it was quite hot, and the water temperature had risen to above 22 degrees, which meant a compulsory non wetsuit swim for all the competitors.

We all lined up on the pontoon, eagerly awaiting the race start.

The hooter went and off we went. I had a good start in the swim, but soon lost the lead pack, as someone pulled me back by my feet. I think I may have kicked him after that, as he soon let go!! I came out of the water, after a 750m swim in 23rd place and in a time of 11:37, before running to transition to put on my Inov 8 233 road shoes. I had a really good transition, completing it in 1:08, 11th fastest, only 3 seconds behind the fastest T1 time.

So, time for the 5k run around the Serpentine, two laps of 2.5kM. I finished the 1st lap in a time of 8:43. I pushed the second and last lap, and came home in a time of 8:03, a huge negative split. I even managed to have a sprint finish with Rory Atkins. My total 5kM run time of 16:50, and a total aquathlon time of 29:34.
Race results can be seen here, with race photos here. A really interesting innovation can be seen here, where some clever software replays your race, taking information from the timing chip.

Dolgellau 5

The annual Dolgellau 5 mile race took place on Saturday. Race started at 1.30pm, so no rush, but starting early enough to have a look at the course, register and warm up. These local races are great as they are a good test but also a good social event as everybody seems to know each other.

As the field congregated at the start line, Tim Davies, 2010 British Fell Running Champion, also lined up. The gun went off, and Tim sped up the first steep hill, using his superior mountain strength to gain a good lead by the time he reached the first mile. By this time I was in 6th position.

I was wearing my Inov 8 Road x 233's for the first time, making the transition from the 255's. The 233's are lighter, and I felt comfortable running in them.

Another steep hill, before the course levelled off and then headed down hill until I reached around 5.5k, and then it levelled off to the finish. By this time, I'd gained one position, and was up to 5th, but with 3 seconds behind the 4th runner. The course then followed the A470, until it turned left following the road into Dolgellau. Turning right, the course went under the main road, before going over the river and joining the cycle path to the finish. By this time, I was up to 4th, with Alex Lanz, the junior runner from Meirionydd Running Club in 3rd.

400m to go, which seemed like a lot longer. There was no time to catch up and get 3rd place, so I settled for 4th, in a time of 29:44. The 233’s coped really well, and I’ll be definitely be using them again.

Race pictures can be seen on SportpicturesCymru.

Llanberis Slateman Triathlon

I was looking forward to competing in Snowdonia Slateman Triathlon for some time. I was supposed to do the British Triathlon Super Series in Strathclyde, a part of the Welsh team, but with three races needed to count, I could afford to do my local triathlon. By local, I mean local, not getting up at 4.30 in the morning and travelling or staying the night before. I had to travel 4 miles to get to the Slateman, so a bit of a lie in for a change.

I actually did the race as part of a team, me swimming, local and one of the best cyclists, Gareth McGuiness on the bike leg, and former Welsh International runner Alun Vaughan on the run. We'd been billed as the dream team prior to the race, and confidence was high.

I registered the day before, and the weather was atrocious. Gale force winds and horizontal rain!! I met Gareth at registration, and talked through our upcoming race. Alun couldnt make it and we'd arranged to meet him early the next day. The buzz, even the day before at registration was good, catching up with friends and fellow triathletes, and helping the organisers set up the trade stands, Revolution Bikes, Zoggs and Surf Lines.

We stayed a bit longer than we'd planned at registration, because of the weather, and it wasn’t getting any better! A quick phone call to my personal taxi, and we had a ride home. The VW T5 arrived, and we quickly put the bikes in the back, and off home we went, dropping Gareth off on the way.

The next day arrived soon enough, and thankfully the rain had stopped. The wind was slightly better, but still very strong. I arrived at race at 8am to meet Gareth, and Alun arrived soon after. We talked about how long our part of the race would take, so the others has a chance to warm up properly and have plenty of time to get back to transition to do the handover. I estimated my swim would take about 10 minutes for the 750m open water swim in Llyn Padarn. The triathlon bike course is part of a local TT race, and Gareth holds the record of 1:15, so in this weather he thought he could do it in about 1:20. Gareth was using his Specialized time trial bike with a disk wheel. As you can imagine this prompted plenty of comments from the other triathletes, as I don’t think I saw anyone else using one. Gareth’s only reply to them was, "Just see who comes back first" This left plenty of time for Alun to do his usual warm up. He thought he'd do the run in about 42 minutes.

Next on the agenda was the safety briefing, deliverd by Tim Lloyd.

So, all too soon, it was time for swim. I knew the lake had been cold for some time, partly due to all the rain we've been having in this part of the world. I wasn't disappointed as I stepped into Llyn Padarn! The Llyn was down to less than 11 degrees!! I had time for a warm up before the start, well that's what it should have been anyway, but the temperature ensured that everyone stayed cold. Nearly time for the off, so I went to the front with the faster swimmers, in order to get clear water and try and get to the front. Treading water for a bit, and then it was time for the countdown, I think they started from 10, and then off we went. The usual mayhem ensued, as everyone vied for position. On reaching the first buoy, I found myself in 4th position, but was then promoted to 3rd as the swimmer in front of me slowed. I soon reached the shore, and was out in a time of 10:09, but the run to transition meant that an official time of 10:46 was posted. The two in front of me were Jonathan Pryke and Hamish Shaw.

A quick handover to Gareth, and off he went running out of transition. It was now time to warm up, as I could hardly speak due to the cold!


By the time Gareth had reached the Victoria Hotel about 250 meters away, he was in the lead. Being first, Gareth had a clear ride up to Pen y Pass, well clear of cyclists at least!! No rain, just strong wind and gusts. The wind was ok up to Capel Curig, when he turned left for Dyffryn Ogwen. This is where the wind was really in your face, and in all other directions as well!! Gareth was used to the weather and the route, so he battled on, with the high peaks of the Glyderau looking down on the lone rider, hurtling down the pass.


Commentary at the field was by the double act of Matt Ward and Stephen Edwards.

After about 65 minutes, it was announced that number 412 was approaching the bends leading into Llanberis, a groan of disbelief spread across the field. How could one man and his machine be back so quickly? 412.....that number rang a bell, it was mine, and the rider was Gareth McGuiness!! As he approached the last 100m into transition, the spectators started to cheer and clap. Gareth dismounted his bike, and pushed his bike to the handover point with Alun Vaughan.

Alun, and ex International Welsh athlete stormed off towards the quarry, with no one else in sight.

Through the Dinorwic Power Station, before running up the endless road that snaked its way to the top of the quarry. A slight rest bite after reaching the top, making his way to bus stop quarry, before dropping down to the forest of Coed Dinorwic and the slippery bits. One more road uphill climb, before dropping down again down the steep road at Fachwen, before re entering the forest. Over the small river and up the last incline. As he reached the top, he could see the crowds in the field below. He then headed towards the quarry hospital, and as he did so, we could see him from the field. Along the road to pass the bottom of Vivien Quarry. Aluns last race of the day was against the steam train, which travels from Llanberis to the quarry museum. As the train hadn’t had to run up the quarry and down through the woods, it was the train that one! A few seconds wait for the train to pass, before heading over the bridge and into the field. As Alun came into the finishing straight, the crowds cheered and clapped, what a great atmosphere. Before Alun reached the tape, he stopped and asked Gareth an myself to join him, and we all went over the finishing line as a team.

An interview followed my Matt Ward, and at last I could relax and enjoy the rest of the day.

The presentations were at 3pm in the community centre, a great ending to a great triathlon. The Slateman was well organised, great saftey cover by Surf Lines in Llyn Padarn, great marshalls and a great crowd.

Looking forwrad already to next year, and also to the Sandman in September....see you there??

Great pictures can be seen at SportpicturesCymru.

Moel y Gest

It was the 5th race of the Tuesday night series, oddly enough, last Tuesday, 10th May at Moel y Gest near Porthmadog. It was only my second race of the series, as they clash with a Tuesday night time trials organised by Clwb Rasio Mona.
70 runners turned up to the race, slightly less than the usual turn out, but with excellent runners none the less.



Race started slightly late, but off we went wearing my Inov 8 X Talons 212's. A good start which saw me up with the leaders, on the flatter stuff, before we started the ascent to the summit of Moel y Gest at 0.8kM. My usual problem re occurred when mountain running, when my lower back started to hurt, but I know that usually happens, so carry on regardless and make the most out of a great run.

A good turn out to watch the end of the race as well. I came in 11th overall, 1st U18 and an Easter egg for my trouble.

Report of the race can be found on the Eryri Harriers website, with race pictures on SportpicturesCymru.

Moel y Gest Fell Race

It was the 5th race of the Tuesday night series, oddly enough, last Tuesday, 10th May at Moel y Gest near Porthmadog. It was only my second race of the series, as they clash with a Tuesday night time trials organised by Clwb Rasio Mona.
70 runners turned up to the race, slightly less than the usual turn out, but with excellent runners none the less.



Race started slightly late, but off we went wearing my Inov 8 X Talons 212's. A good start which saw me up with the leaders, on the flatter stuff, before we started the ascent to the summit of Moel y Gest at 0.8kM. My usual problem re occurred when mountain running, when my lower back started to hurt, but I know that usually happens, so carry on regardless and make the most out of a great run.

A good turn out to watch the end of the race as well. I came in 11th overall, 1st U18 and an Easter egg for my trouble.

Report of the race can be found on the Eryri Harriers website, with race pictures on SportpicturesCymru.

Fron Four Fell race

A new fell race to put in your calendar for next year, the Fron Four, organised by Mike Blake. The race includes the Tuesday night fell races of Moel Tryfan and Mynydd Mawr, with two more checkpoints added, making a total of 13.5kM, and a 828m ascent. The race started from Y Fron, after registering at Ysgol Bron y Foel for a 1pm start.

First off the juniors, who were running about 2kM, with a quick presentation before the senior start. The previous sunny days in North Wales had been really nice, with temperatures in the early 20’s. Today, it was cold, drizzly and the cloud was down to below summit height. Ideal for me, as I prefer the colder weather for running, but a possible nightmare for navigation.


Over 30 lined up for the start, and as the gun went, we all headed off for Moel Tryfan at a height of 427m. A 1.8km run along the quarry roads, before starting the small ascent to the summit saw me in 8th place. As I ran with Paul Jenkinson, we split up after about 3km Paul decided to bare left, as I went right. As I started the uphill climb to Mynydd Mawr, I saw Paul to my left. My route seemed to be slightly quicker, but he passed me anyway on the way to summit! As I reached the summit of Mynydd Mawr, some hardy marshals (Iwan Morton, Dilwyn and Sioned), awaited us, and who directed me to the next checkpoint. A miss calculation on my part saw me going in a slightly in the wrong direction, but only added about 200m to the route. After I reached checkpoint 2, I turned around and headed for Foel Rhydd about 2kM away. From here, it was back to the summit of Mynydd Mawr before the fast ascent down to the finish.

I was 10th on the way down, over a minute behind Martin Cliffe. As I approached the finish, I'd managed to catch Martin, and passed him for 9th position with only meters to go.

Great race, despite the low cloud and low visibility. Some good hospitality at the school later with a panad and biscuits, and an Easter egg for coming home first junior and overall 9th place in a time of 1 hour 23min and 18 seconds.

Report by Eryri Harriers can be found here, with some photos by SportpicturesCymru here, and Peter Douglas here.