Jon M reports...
Minehead Triathon (swim = 400m, bike = 23km, Run = 7.5km)
Jon Mansfield and Sandie Harwood both took part in the Minehead triathlon. The event was the South West triathlon sprint distance championships. The swim was staged in the indoor pool before an undulating cycle course towards Portlock hill. The athletes were then sent out to run a 7.5km towards Dunster Castle, heading back along the beach, along side Butlins and then on to the welcome finish line. Harwood celebrated her birthday by completing the event in 1hr 58.28 In only her second triathlon the birthday girl came 130th. Mansfield found the going tough especially the run. Chronic hip and hamstring niggles have reduced the triathlete to just 3 miles run training a week. Nevertheless, after recording the fastest bike time of the day, a total time of 1hr 21.40 was rewarded by a runners-up spot and 1st placed senior male title for the region. A veteran took the overall win, just 19 seconds quicker.
2nd Jon Mansfield 6.35 - 42.58 - 32.07 = 1.21.40
130th Sandie Harwood 10.31 - 1.04.01 - 43.56 = 1.58.28
Bredon Triathlon (swim = 1200m, bike = 50km, run = 10km)
Four club members raced in the local Bredon triathlon. The event started with a 1200m swim in Croft farm lake followed by a scenic cycle out to Eastnor Castle and back and finishing with a 10km run. Phillip Howells was the main attraction for the 100+ spectators. The ultra-distance running specialist had never swam in the open water before and more importantly never swam 1200m. Howells didn't disappoint as the
novice used a combination of breast stroke and front crawl to complete the two lap swim in 41.50 minutes. Rapturous applause was directed at Howells as he hit dry land and eagerly rode away on the 50km ride. 1hr.48 minutes later the Ledbury based athlete ran off to complete 10km in under 51 minutes. A total race time of 3hr.20 secured 83rd for the smiling finisher. Stephen Darnell demonstrated his cycling power with an excellent ride. Darnell also timed just under 51 minutes for his run split.
Jon Mansfield had savoured the prospect of racing on his door-step training course. His swim was hampered by a leaking goggle. However, his cycling was a success, that was until the referee awarded a two minute penalty afterwards. A run time of 42 minutes was 3 minutes down from his 2005 performance. Likewise, for defending champion Jon Rawlings, racing for Tri team Glos, the Tewkesbury AC runner was struggling with a foot injury but still finished the event inside the top ten.
8th Jon Rawlings 18.14 - 1.25.38 - 42.30 = 2.26.22
11th Jon Mansfield 21.26 - 1.25.38 - 42.01 = 2.29.05
47th Steve Darnall 29.13 - 1.33.01 - 50.34 = 2.52.48
83rd Phillip Howells 41.50 - 1.48.11 - 50.57 = 3.20.58