Race Report by Lisa Tweddle
Branksome School played host to this years Darlington Sprint Triathlon where victories went to Andrew MacRae of Total Racing Int and Melanie Hayward of Barracuda Tri Club.
The race which is organised by the Darlington Rotary Club consisted of a 400m pool swim followed by a 23km bike leg on closed roads and finally a flat, fast 5k run. Conditions were ideal, much like at the Alnwick triathlon the same day, with sunny skies and little wind.
In the men's event, Michael Downes was first on to his bike after completing the swim in a swift 5.30, followed two seconds later by Paul Godley in 5.32. Things were about to change on the bike as Andrew MacRae on his favourite discipline powered in to the lead, riding almost two minutes quicker than his nearest rival in 38.29. MacRae's team-mate Elliot Gowland had now rode into 2nd place in 39.34 with John Wilkinson a close 3rd in 38.40 and Robert West, 4th (40.21). MacRae backed up his performance with a 17.04 run split which was enough to claim victory in 1.05.14. West, renowned for his blistering run speed tried his best to catch MacRae running a devastatingly fast 15.57 but it was not enough. He eventually took 2nd in 1.06.01, with Gowland (17.49) taking 3rd place in 1.07.06
After the swim, the women's race win looked as if it could go to any one of five athletes. Aida Geragusian set the early pace in 6.27 but behind her was Amanda Cantle (6.54), Anna Turvey (6.57) and pre-race favourite Melanie Hayward (7.10). On the bike, Hayward comes into her own, cycling as fast as the leading men. She posted a bike split of 42.37 which was almost five minutes quicker than Cantle, now in 2nd place (47.06). Geragusian slipped back to fourth (50.21) whilst Turvey held 3rd place. Like West in the men's race, Hayward is also renowned for her fast running and here, she put more time into her rivals clocking 17.50 to win comfortably in 1.11.47 overall. Turvey, also a renowned runner, pushed on to move into 2nd place (18.04) in 1.18.28 whilst Cantle (21.21) held on for 3rd place in 1.20.01. Geragusian (18.29) made a spirited attempt to get back into the medals but just missed out, finishing fourth in 1.20.13.
Abbreviated results
Overall Men- 1) Andrew MacRae - Total Racing Int - 1.05.14
- 2) Robert West - One Life Racing - 1.06.01
- 3) Elliot Gowland - Total Racing Int - 1.07.06
- 1) Melanie Hayward - Barracuda Tri - 1.11.47
- 2) Anna Turvey - Heaton Harriers - 1.18.28
- 3) Amanda Cantle - Sun City Tri - 1.20.01
- Overall: Andrew MacRae - Total Racing Int - 1.05.14
- MJ: Stefan McLoughlin - Cleveland Tri - 1.18.01
- Vet: Robert West - One Life Tri - 1.06.01
- SuperVet: Michael Dunne – Cleveland Tri - 1.09.59
- Vintage: Don Shotton – Tyne Tri - 1.26.51
- Overall: Melanie Hayward- Barracuda Tri- 1.11.47
- Vet: Amanda Cantle- Sun City Tri- 1.20.01
- Super Vet: Roz Layton- Durham Tri- 1.26.28