Llanrwst Sprint Triathlon

It was the Llanrwst Sprint Triathlon yesterday, with 168 triathletes competing for the honours on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park..
The race consisted of a 400m swim, 30k bike and a 5km run.
The swim took place in the local Llanrwst swimming pool, with a 500m run to transition. I was last to go, as I had the fastest swim time on paper. A good swim and a personal best saw me running to T2 in a time of 4:44, and the fastest time of the day.
A new bike course greeted the next leg of the race, which consisted of a 30kM time trial along the twisty and hilly roads of North Wales, and west of the beautiful Afon Conwy. A fast and steep decent to the turnaround point had its advantages, but the disadvantage was that I had to ride back up, before tackling the head on wind and 15kM to the finish. Back to transition for the run, which had a sting at the start, consisting of a 500m steep ascent to a forest track, where I battled for honours along 4kM forest trails, watched by the mountain bikers tackling the Marin Trail. Back down the steep decent to finish the 5kM run time in 18:40, which gave me 2nd fastest run time of the day, and a total triathlon race time of 1:22:05.
Good day’s work, which gave me 11th overall and 1st U20.

More pictures on sportpicturescymru.

Cycling Time Trial

It was the last of the cycling time trials on Tuesday 31 August. At only 3.8 miles, it's one of the smallest that is arranged by Clwb Rasio Mona on Anglesey. There are no prizes on offer, just individual competition against friendly club riders based in North West Wales.

The end of a sunny day on the island saw 30 riders compete for honors. A personal best for this course, saw me return to the finish line in 10.01 min, and placed 13th overall.

Results are here, and photos of the time trial can be seen on sportpicturescymru website.

Salford Quays Aquathlon

I travelled to Salford recently in order to take part in the last Salford Aquathlon race. I celebrated my junior series win by competing against the seniors.

The race included an 800m open water swim, and a 5kM 4 lap run.

I was out of the water in 4th place, and a quick transition saw me start my 5kM measured course.

I finished my 5kM run in 4th place with a run time of 17:06, and an overall time of 28:40.

Welsh Triathlon Vest

I travelled to Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar on Sunday in order to take part in the Welsh Triathlon IRC qualifier. An early registration at 6am, saw the best triathletes from Wales, and many from England who wanted to take part in the race prior to the Inter Regional Championship in September.

I was racing at 9am, which included a 600m open water swim, 12kM draft legal technical bike course, followed by a flat 3km run. 18 athletes walked into the cold lake at Parc Bryn Bach at 9am. I took and early lead, taking full advantage of my swim speed, before I was passed with 50m to go. A 100m run followed to the transition from swim to bike, which saw me re take the lead with an excellent transition.

A 12km cycle ride followed, which saw the eventual winner, Liam Lloyd from Llanelli, take the lead. The bike ride included 3 laps of two hills, a flat section and technical turns, which saw myself and two others competing for 2nd place.

Back to transition for the 3kM run saw me fighting for 2nd place and a possible Welsh Triathlon vest. At the half way point, I made my move and stormed ahead into second place, coming home in overall 2nd position in a excellent 3kM run of 9.09min.

Automatic selection was not an eventuality, as previous form was taken into account from all previous races. I've had a busy year, taking part and doing very well in a number of senior triathlons. I've also won the Salford Aquathlon series at Manchester, and was 13th in the British Aquathlon Championships at Hyde Park, London. With the Welsh Triathlon selectors watching closely, it was a long 24 hours before I was confirmed as a Welsh Triathlete. I'll return to Parc Bryn Bach on the 19 September to compete against my fellow Welsh, and also Scottish and English Regional triathletes.

Pictures can be seen on the sportpicturescymru website.

British Aquathlon Championships Salford Quays

Another trip to Salford, England on Saturday, 17 July saw me take part in the British Aquathlon Championships organised by Manchester Triathlon Club.

I was taking part in the youth category, which involved a 400m open swim in the Salford Quays, followed by a 2.5kM run.

The first wave saw the youths, senior females and male age groups I+ take to the water. Whilst the youths and junior races were not championships events, they certainly provided some great practice and an opportunity to weigh each other up in advance of their championships in Hyde Park next weekend.

A good swim saw me coming out of the water in 1st place, leaving the senior athletes to complete another lap. A 2.5kM run followed, bring me home in 1st place.

The race report can be seen here and here, with pictures on the sportpicturescymru.

Cerist Triathlon

I took part in the Cerist senior triathlon on Sunday, with an early 6am start to Machynlleth. I was competing following my success at the Northwich triathlon the week before, where I was 1st junior and 13th overall, and also the Salford Aquathlon series in Manchester, where I came home with the spoils.

I set a blistering rate, coming out of the pool in the fastest time of the day, to complete my 400m swim in sub 5 minutes, and a PB. The bike leg involved an out an back course to Corris. A steady uphill climb was followed by a fast decent, which brought me back to transition in 34 minutes, shaving 5 minutes of the same distance in the Northwich triathlon the week before. Finally a 5kM run complemented an excellent triathlon. I was back from the run in 20:33, and fastest runner of the day.

I won the junior category and was 8th overall.

Salford Quays Aquathlons Race 1

I nipped over the border to Salford, England on Thursday, in order to take part in the Salford Quays Aquathlon series organised by Manchester Triathlon Club.

I was taking part in the youth category, which involved a 400m open swim in the Salford Quays, followed by a 2.5kM run.

Sunny weather welcomed all the racers, and a balmy 15.4C water temperature meant that wet suits were optional, although everyone was wearing one.

A good start saw me up with the leaders, and after 400m I was third in a time of 5.55, before having to leave the senior athletes to complete another lap, and the start of my 2 lap, 2.5kM run along the Quays waterfront.

A tricky transition followed, as I had a bit of a problem removing my wetsuit. Food for thought, and some practice before the next race on the 17 June.

Conditions were hot during the two laps run, and I came home in a time of 8.36. Total time for the race was 15.30, which included the slow transition.

Race report can be read here, and pictures can be seen on the sportpicturescymru website.