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.

Ras y Gadair

The annual Ras y Gadair (Cadair Idris) fell race yesterday, so time to have some rain. Dry conditions at the start gave false hope as the rain came down heavily further up the mountain.

My usual U16 category was replaced with U18, which meant I had to run the official 10k (actually 11.2kM) with the senior runners, before turning back for home and allowing them to go to visit the giant Idris at the summit!
I was in the main pack on the first hill climb of the day, which is actually the road leading up to the mountain. At my turning point I was 16th, but came home in my X talon 212's to take the win in my first U18 race.

Pictures of the race can be seen on Sportpicturescymru and Fellrunningpictures, with a race report from the excellent website Mud Sweat and Tears.

My younger brother, Rhys, also got in on the action, by winning the U14 category.

Abergwyngregyn Tuesday Night Series

6th race of the Tuesday Night Series last night. 4.5mile of firstly extremely steep run, followed by a fast course, crossing the bottom the famous Aber Falls.

Another good turnout, with a good selection of my category, U16 runners as well.

I was 5th at the top of the first hill, before the downhill fast course commenced. Final position 7th, with 1st U16 runner.

Crossing the Bridge at the bottom of Aber Falls.

Some pictures are on SportpicturesCymru and Fellrunningpictures.

Harlech Triathlon

Early rise for some of the triathletes at Harlech yesterday before the start of the 400m (16 lengths) swim, 30k scenic route, out and back along the Cambrian Coast and finishing with the UK's most spectacular triathlon run route. 6.5k mixed terrain including Harlech Beach and the 1:4 climb to the Castle.

376 competitors arrived on a glorious sunny day, including myself, competing in my second senior race.

Saw Matthew Gilbert at transition, great to see him again!

I was one of the last to go, as I had one of the fastest swim times. Came out of the pool after a swim of 5 minutes 27 seconds, 3 seconds behind GB triathlete Rhian Roxborough!

400m swim and the run to transition. Next, after a quick transition the 30kM bike. Undulating, with two big hills to cope with as well. On the way back, my chain came off, so lost between 30 seconds and a minute, to comeback in a time of 55min 27 seconds.

Last was the run, along strength sapping dunes, along the beach, before finishing with 1 in 4 climb to the castle!

I won the U20 men, and 35th overall, out of 376 triathletes. Really good race, which I enjoyed very much.