09/06/2009 - Wansbeck Triathlon
Race Report by Lisa Tweddle
The Wansbeck Sprint Triathlon, hosted by Tyne Tri Club is a new event on the North East race calender and is set in the pretty surroundings of the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park.
Athletes had to tackle a 750m lake swim, 23km bike and a flat 5k trail run around the lake. But not only did the athletes have to battle the race distances but also the elements as they were battered by wind and heavy rain all of which was set to make an interesting race.
In the men's race, Alan Copland of One Life posted the fastest swim in 12.15 followed 20 seconds later by Adam Chmielowski (Unattached) in 12.34 with Steven Proud of the host club 3rd in 13.25. Onto the bike and Copland (34.37) powered through the wind and rain to extend his lead to over two minutes ahead of Rob West, also of One Life, now in 2nd (35.48) with Chmielowski holding on for 3rd in 37.32. Eliott Gowland (Total Racing Int), having raced at Ironman Lanzarote just two weeks earlier put in the 2nd fastest bike split to move into 4th for 35.40.
Copland is equally strong at all three disciplines and as such, posted the 3rd quickest run split of the day (18.53) to finish 1st comfortably in 1.07.00. However, West managed to pull back a minute on Copland (17.41) but it was not enough as he had to settle for 2nd in 1.08.35. Chmielowski (19.11) ran a good race, hanging onto 3rd place in 1.10.29. Phil Smith of Total Racing Int moved up to 4th in 1.11.11 with Ian Simon (Alnwick Tri) taking 5th in 1.11.40.
In the women's race, two athletes made an early break and carved out a solid lead over the chasers with Michelle Scott of Darlington Tri (13.35) just edging out Lisa Tweddle of NE31 Tri Club (13.37) for 1st. Emma Pearson of Alnwick Tri exited the water in 3rd in 15.07. Onto the bike, Tweddle upped the pace to move into the lead (43.54), putting time into the field to enter T2 with a strong advantage. Scott held onto 2nd place (46.06) however, Emma Pearson of Alnwick Tro Club (45.14) and Jane Mooney (45.45) started to close the gap.
With some exceptionally fast runners in the race, victory still wasn't decided however Tweddle (23.59) had just enough time in hand to win overall in 1.23.17. The fleet-footed Mooney (19.57) made a spirited attempt to bridge the gap, running as fast as the leading men but unfortunately she just missed out, finishing 2nd in 1.23.30. Scott (22.17) had a consistent race to come across the line in 3rd in 1.23.54, edging out Pearson for 4th in 1.24.06 with Tracey Sample (Alnwick Tri) finishing 5th in 1.27.26.
Overall Men
- 1) Alan Copland- One Life Racing- 1.07.00
- 2) Rob West- One Life Racing- 1.08.35
- 3) Adam Chmielowski- Unattached- 1.10.29
Overall Women
- 1) Lisa Tweddle- NE31 Tri Club- 1.23.17
- 2) Jane Mooney- Alnwick Tri- 1.23.30
- 3) Michelle Scott- Darlington Tri- 1.23.54
Prize Winners (Men)
- Junior- Stefan McLoughlin- Cleveland Tri- 1.19.17
- Senior- Alan Copland- One Life Racing- 1.07.00
- Vet 40- Rob West- One Life Racing- 1.08.35
- Vet 50- Les Cavill- Alnwick Tri- 1.20.08
- Vintage- Allan Kenny- Unattached- 1.24.59
Prize Winners (Women)
- Senior- Lisa Tweddle- NE31 Tri Club- 1.23.17
- Vet 40- Amanda Cantle- Sun City Tri- 1.28.11
- Vet 50- Jan Oliver- One Life Racing- 1.33.44