15/06/2009 - Cleveland Short Course Report
Race Report by Lisa Tweddle
This year was the 25th running of the Cleveland Short Course Triathlon, held at Ellerton Lake, North Yorkshire and celebrations were definitely in the air with a feast of exciting racing where victory went to Alan Copland of One Life Racing and Sarah May of Monmouth Tri Club.
This year, the event has changed from the short course distance to full Olympic distance (1500m lake swim, 40k bike and 10k run) so it would be interesting to see how the athletes would cope with this change. This, coupled with the weather, which was hot and sunny - great for spectators but a possible hindrance to the athletes.
Copland has been unstoppable so far this season, winning every race he has entered and this trend didn't stop today. He dominated the swim, pulling over three minutes clear of his nearest challenger in 18.56. On the bike, he took another two minutes out of the field to clock 58.55 (the only athlete to get under the hour), then with a five minute cushion heading into the run, victory was sewn up as he had the sixth fastest run split (34.09). He won by over six minutes in an incredibly fast 1.53.02.
Meanwhile, the race for 2nd and 3rd was hotting up with three athletes in contention. Following Copland in 2nd place after the swim was Andrew Maier in 21.11 and Paul Godley, 3rd, (Cleveland Tri Club) in 21.14. On the bike, Tom Williams of Leeds & Bradford Tri moved up to 2nd (1.00.39) with Nicky McGee (East Coast Tri) climbing 12 places to move into 3rd (1.00.11). With only the run remaining, it looked as if these two athletes would hold on for 2nd and 3rd however Tim Ashelford (Leeds & Bradford Tri) made one last effort for a podium place and ran through to take 2nd overall in 1.59.00, just edging out McGee for 3rd in 1.59.12. Unfortunately, Williams just missed out, taking 4th in 1.59.59.
The women were lead out of the water by Natalie Batey of Ryton Tri in 22.40, followed closely by Helen Williams of Leeds & Bradford Tri Club (LBT) in 22.48 with Batey's team mate Diane Chaney exiting 3rd in 23.14. Onto the bike Williams moved into the lead clocking 1.09.38 with Batey hanging on to 2nd in 1.11.18 but Sarah May who had made the long trek from Monmouth in Wales to do this race and who at this point was almost five minutes back, set about making up lost time by clocking a swift 1.07.58 to move into 3rd place.
On the run, May was not content to settle for bronze so powered on, catching all ahead of her to move clear and take the win in 2.14.31. Her run split of 37.40 was by far the quickest women's time of the day. Williams also ran strongly to take 2nd in 2.15.35 whilst Jo Short of Durham Tri Club who was in contention after the swim and bike, had a brilliant run to move from 5th into 3rd in 2.18.19.
Results
Overall Men:
1)Alan Copland - One Life Racing - 1.53.022)Tim Ashleford - Leeds & Bradford Tri - 1.59.00
3)Nicky McGee - East Coast Tri - 1.59.12
Overall Women:
1)Sarah May - Monmouth Tri Club - 2.14.312)Helen Williams - Leeds & Bradford Tri - 2.15.35
3)Jo Short - Durham Tri - 2.18.19
Prize Winners (Men):
Junior - Stefan McLoughlin - Cleveland Tri Club - 2.17.02Senior - Alan Copland - One Life Racing - 1.53.02
Vet - Tim Ashleford - Leeds & Bradford Tri - 1.59.00
SuperVet - Gavin Sword - Sun City Tri - 2.11.14
Vintage - Richard Hatfield - Cleveland Tri Club - 2.33.09
Prize Winners (Women):
Senior - Sarah May - Monmouth Tri Club - 2.14.31Vet - Jo Short - Durham Tri Club - 2.18.19
SuperVet - Kay Stokes - Cleveland Tri Club - 2.33.07