Race Report by Lisa Tweddle
The Castles Challenge Triathlon is still a relatively new event in the North East calender despite now being into its 2nd year. In 2009, the event was hailed as a huge success but the organisers at Total Racing Int made the race even better for 2010.
A 1500m sea swim awaited the athletes, set in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle. The run out from the swim includes a tough 800m run over sand-dunes just to make it to T1. This was followed by an undulating 40k bike course and finally an energy sapping 10k multi-terrain run to the backdrop of Alnwick Castle and Gardens.
Conditions were cool with a slight breeze which was perfect for a good day of racing. In the men's event, John Davison of Team Old (Relay) exited the water 1st in 21.06. He was followed over one-minute later by Michael Downes of Tyne Tri in 22.13 and John Denis, making the long trek from Milton Keynes in 22.25.
Onto the bike, Denis moved into the lead, overhauling the early leaders before the halfway stage in 1.04.51, the days fastest individual bike split. However, it was David Turnbull from NE31 Tri Club, 13th after the swim, who made the biggest jump from the field. He climbed a massive 11 places to move into 2nd in 1.10.49. However, he was closely followed into 3rd by Richard Bewell in 1.11.02 whilst Daniel Jenkin (Durham Uni Tri) in 1.11.38 and David Denton of Edinburgh RC (1.11.58) rode into 4th and 5th spots.
With the run remaining, Denis looked to be comfortable in 1st however Turnbull is a very strong runner and put up a good fight. However, it was not to be as Denis held on for victory (38.34) in 2.09.13. Turnbull comfortably held onto 2nd (2.13.14) and in doing so, posted the days quickest run split in 35.27. Bewell ran through to 3rd in 2.14.31 with Jenkin 4th (2.17.20) and Adam Fletcher, 5th in 2.17.45.
The women were lead out of the sea by Louise Roberts in a very swift 21.20. She was 2nd out of the water overall! She had a comfortable lead of Ryton Tri's Jane Mooney in 23.06 as Oona Brooks from Edinburgh Tri Club followed in 3rd in 25.05.
On to the bike, Roberts held her lead (1.22.32) until the latter stages where she was overhauled by Mooney. Mooney's bike split of 1.19.32 was the quickest women's split of the day. Gail Brown of the Durham University Tri Club had now moved into 3rd in 1.21.34 as Brooks dropped back to 4th in 1.22.14.
Throughout the winter season, Mooney posted some impressive cross-country running results, including a silver medal at the North East cross-country championships. With much of the day's run course on grass, she used her cross-country pedigree to power away to a blistering 37.06 run split and take overall victory in 2.22.42. This gave her a clear 6-minute advantage over 2nd placed Roberts in 2.28.15 as Brown held 3rd in 2.41.08. Lyndsey Rawling moved into 4th (2.42.14) with Brooks, 5th in 2.43.05.
Full results can be seen: HERE
Photographs can be seen: HERE
Results (Abbreviated)
Overall Men
John Dennis – Team Milton Keynes – 2.09.13
David Turnbull – NE31 Tri Club – 2.13.14
Richard Bewell – Unattached – 2.14.31
Overall Women
Jane Mooney – Ryton Tri Club – 2.22.42
Louise Roberts – Unattached – 2.28.15
Gail Brown – Durham Uni Tri Club – 2.41.08
Prize Winners (Men)
Senior – David Turnbull – NE31 Tri Club – 2.13.14
Vet 40 – John Dennis – Team Milton Keynes – 2.09.13
Relay – Christopher Isats – 2.01.50
Prize Winners (Women )
Jane Mooney – Ryton Tri Club – 2.22.42
Vet 40 – Shirley Hunt – Tri Preston – 2.48.39
Relay – Tandem Power – 2.30.05