25/06/2009 - Northumberland Triathlon Race Report
National Age-Group Triathlon Championships
Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland - 21/06/2009
Over 300 of the country's finest age group athletes descended on Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland, for the inaugural National Age-Group Championships where no less than 20 champions would be crowned.
The event consisted of a 1500m swim in the Ladyburn Lake, a 7-lap, 40km bike leg and a 3-lap 10km run. The event organiser, Paul Jones and his team from One Life Racing were hoping to put on a good show after last year's event had to be cancelled due to flooding. This year, the sun was shining and with athlete tensions high, the stage was set for what was expected to be an exciting day’s racing where North East athletes looked certain to get amongst the medals.
In the men's race, Philip Graves of White Rose Triathletes, fresh from his recent victory at the UK Half Ironman championship, set the pace with an exceptionally fast 16.54 followed by Dale Grasby (RAF Triathlon) in 17.29 with Chris Joyce 3rd in 17.44. The bad news for Grave's challengers is that the bike is his strongest discipline and he powered on putting an extra two minutes into the field in 1.01.06. James Third of Sigma Sport moved into 2nd place with 1.02.23 with Thomas Sturdy climbing up to 3rd with 1.02.40. With only the run remaining, Graves pushed on to take a clear victory overall in 1.49.17 with Third (1.51.55) and Sturdy (1.53.40) holding onto 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The women were lead out of the water by Anne Hegvold of Ful-On-Tri in 21.05 with Jill Parker of Tri London, 2nd in 21.18. Vicki Wade (Manchester Tri Club) exited in 3rd (22.05). Parker moved into the lead on the bike with a 1.10.51 bike split as Wade moved into 2nd (1.12.02) and Juliet Vickery (Cambridge Tri) moved up to 3rd (1.12.43). Parker ran strongly to consolidate her lead and take victory in 2.07.23. Eimear Mullen (Team Milton Keynes) who had posted the quickest women's bike split also powered her way to the quickest run split as she overhauled Wade and Vickery to take 2nd in 2.08.22. Vickery hung on for 3rd in 2.10.30.
The host club had a brilliant day where four of their athletes were crowned National Champions in their respective age groups. Congratulations to Alan Copland (35-39yrs) - 1.54.19; Rob West (40-45yrs) - 1.57.27; Tim Wylie (45-49yrs) - 2.02.37 and Barry Jameson (55-59yrs) in 2.09.16.
Other North East athletes who got amongst the medals were:
Gold: Samuel Hatfield (Durham Uni Tri) M18-19yrs,
Silver: Edward Brett (Durham Uni Tri) M18-19yrs, Roger Godley (Cleveland Tri) M45-49yrs, Michael Dunne (Cleveland Tri) M55-59yrs
Bronze: Michael Little (Tyne Tri) M40-45yrs, Jo Short (Durham Tri) F45-49