07/10/2008 - Darlington Triathlon Club

The newly-formed Darlington Triathlon Club took part in its first competitive event last weekend when it fielded six teams in the Cleveland Relays. This was a magnificent achievement for a club formed only two-and-half months ago and it had the largest team entry in the event.

Competition was hot within the teams with the Eagles line-up of Nigel Wilkinson, Nick Butler, Stuart Lynn and Richard Hughes pipping the Cougars (Michelle Scott, Adrian Marshall, Jen Bainbridge and Julian Hatton) by the narrowest of margins – just one second. The Cougars completed the 400m swim, 18-mile bike ride and three-mile run in 2 hrs 58 mins 41 secs.

The Tigers team of Darren Chapman, Alan Nixon, Michelle McTaggart and Anna Scott was next across the line in 3 hrs 6 mins 7 secs, followed by the Pumas team of Claire Weighell, Andrew Collishaw, Rich Cousins and Emma Morley in 3:09:03

Next came the all-female Wildcats line-up of Louise Powley, Sam Edwardson, Jo Stewart and Christine Oates in 3:14:26
and the Sharks (Becky Armitage, Jeff Marriott, Alison Jackson and Brian Burdon) in 3:23:19.

For many it was the first taste of triathlon and everyone relished the well-organised event at Acklam Base.

Darlington Triathlon Club holds swim sessions at Longfield School, Darlington, every Sunday evening (intermediate/advanced 5pm; development 6pm) followed by coached runs. Group bike rides take place on Saturday mornings. There are three coaches.

Graham Bell is the acting Club Chairman and you can reach him at grahamb@mfc.co.uk

The club website is at http://www.darlingtontri.com