Race Report by Graham Bell
Top-class triathlon returned to Barnard Castle last weekend in the shape of the Teesdale Tri.
Around 140 competitors from all over the North-East and Yorkshire enjoyed a great day of racing in a race revived by Darlington Triathlon Club. For around a third of the field it was the first time they had tried the multi-discipline sport which started with a 400m swim in Teesdale Leisure Centre pool.
After that, entrants faced a 17-mile bike course that included a fast section to Staindrop followed by a testing uphill section into a strong headwind through Kinninvie and back to the Leisure Centre. A new 5k run course featured a multi-lap layout that proved popular with spectators.
The men's open winner was Andy Mac, from Total Racing International, who flew round the course in 1 hr 12 mins 27 secs. Second, just 27 seconds behind, was Tony Weed, of Blackhawk Bikes, and third was clubmate Scott Holmes in 1:18:39.
The women's open winner was Sarah Owen, from NYP Tri, in 1:24:09, followed by Natalie Batey, of Ryton Tri, in 1:24:23 and Tracey Sample (Alnwick) in 1:25:17.
Perhaps the most heart-warming victory, however, came in the men's supervet section where 59-year-old Barry Jameson recorded an astonishing ninth place overall in his comeback race. Six months ago, Barry was unable to walk after sustaining a serious upper leg fracture in falling off his bike on a training ride. Now he is looking forward to the World Standard Distance Championships in Budapest in September.
Andy Swales (Durham) was M40 veteran winner and finished in fourth place overall with 1:15:26. Women's supervet winner was Kay Stokes of Cleveland Triathlon Club in 1:35:07. Kay finished 59th overall.
A handful of Darlington Tri members also enjoyed the action, with Ben Oakes finishing in an impressive eighth place in 1:18:39. Michael Harcourt recorded one of the fastest run times of the day in finishing 23rd in 1:25:08 and was also third fastest in the swim with a swift 5 mins 13 secs.
Ben Lester, who works locally, also performed well, finishing 33rd in 1:27:56. Barry Clare was 66th 1:37:41 and Simon Robinson was 103rd in 1:48:01.
Thanks go to race organiser Gareth Richardson and his army of helpers who were on duty shortly after dawn to set up the course. Timing was by Phil Jameson of Tri4u and Darlington Tri are also indebted to the staff of Teesdale Leisure Centre, Up & Running, Morrison's supermarket, Barnard Castle, J M & S Greengrocer's, St John Ambulance, Darlington Harriers, The Northern Echo and Sun City Tri for their help and support.
•www.darlingtontri.com