Jon M reports..
Eastnor Castle was the setting for the first ever locally staged ½ Ironman distance triathlon. Tewkesbury AC’s Phillip Howells and Jon Mansfield took part in the event. Both athletes were novices at this type of distance. The challenge started with a two lap swim in the Castle lake before cycling a four lap course over the Malverns, taking in 54 miles of climbing and descending. The final discipline was 10 miles of tough running through Eastnor deer park.
Howells, relatively new to swimming, was pleased to be back on dry land after 52 minutes of swimming in a partially muddy lake! The ultra-distance athletes swim went to plan. However, what wasn’t on the plan was a trio of set backs while cycling. A snapped gear cable was one handicap the experience cyclist had to contend with - a major problem on a course where a minimum of 18 gears is crucial. After a smooth transition, the Ledbury competitor, set off at pace into the 10 miles of running. His pace never slackened and went on the cross the finish line in 6 hours and 4 minutes. Finishing position was 95th.
Jon Mansfield’s race went pleasingly. Pleased to complete the muddy lake swim in 25 minutes which left the 38 year old in 33rd position. His cycle ride went better than expected although it wasn’t until the fourth lap that the leading female triathele was caught. Setting off on the run being pursued by the fast moving female challenger, Mansfield was able to catch another runner ahead and settled into 14th position before having to sprint finish to hold off the 1st place woman. Mansfield recorded 4 hours and 22 minutes.
The top placed Three Counties finisher was Jon Rawlings, racing for Tri Team Glos, in 9th place.
126 athletes entered the race of which, 100 completed the course.
Two Tewkesbury AC athletes raced at Newent for the 18th annual sprint distance triathlon. With the unfortunate withdrawals of Barry O’Driscoll and Sandie Harwood, it was just Barbara Dunn and Jon Mansfield who were treated to spectacular thunder and lighting during a 3 hour deluge. Dunn, making her return to racing after an 18 month hiatus, didn’t let the weather affect her day as she was very satisfied to complete the event in under 1 ½ hours. That time gave the locally based competitor 144th place overall. Mansfield, the 2005 winner, took on the waterlogged lanes with caution. By the time the triathlete had started the run the sky started to clear and the rain stopped. A finishing time of 55 minutes meant that the runners-up spot was his this time. The overall winner had 36 seconds to his credit.