Dom dominates competitive but wet Mid Argyll Triathlon
THE WEATHER may have put paid to the Ayr Gold Cup, but it did not stop 112 triathletes and 14 teams taking on the MacQueen Bros Mid Argyll Triathlon.
Torrential rain meant it was not a day for personal bests, but athletes were spurred on by tremendous support from friends, families and clubmates.
Among a large field of 147, there were 43 competitors from Glasgow Tri Club, while Mid Argyll Tri and Cycle Club fielded 15 entrants for this sprint distance triathlon, comprising a 500m swim, 20km bike and 6.5km run.
There were some great individual performances, including Doug Wood in the super vintage 70+ age group and Mid Argyll Triathlon Club’s Sue Allen and Richard Sloan in the vintage 60+ categories – all putting in strong performances to win their respective categories.
The stand-out performance was by Mid Argyll Triathlon Club’s Dom Sharkey, overall winner in the male race and first senior. Dom was third fastest in the swim, but then put in the fastest cycle of the day to take a lead of one minute 40 into the run over Angus Peden from Ayrodynamics Triathlon Club. Dom then backed it up with the fastest run in 26.29 for the four miles.
The fastest lady and first senior was Ciara Largey, Omagh Tri Club. Ciara is currently working in Oban as a GP and is showing consistent form.
Lorne Barrie from Lochgilphead retained his junior male category title.
The female vintage (60+) category saw Sue Allen of Mid Argyll retain her title with a dominant display, with Julie MacNaughton second.
The local categories are always a bit of fun – with local Mid Argyll Tri and Cycle Club members battling for bragging rights.
The first local male home was Stephen Whiston 1:12:29, ahead of Iain MacNicol on 1:20:06 with a fast finishing Colin MacVicar in third.
Sarah Griffin achieved 1:19:20 to win the local female title. In second place was Rebecca Helliwell on 1:25:14, with Melanie Peacock-Chmielewska third. This year there were 14 teams battling for the podium and there was some priceless banter between the relay team members.
Glasgow Tri Club came with intent and Gorman Tri Champs GTC team soon hit the front. Cyclist Ian Ramage built a one-minute lead for his team into the run, where Mike Donaldson brought them home for the win by four minutes.
And, amid all the hurly burly, 19th Mid Argyll Scouts provided fantastic soup, sandwiches and home baking for the competitors and spectators – raising £759 for Scout funds.
Colin MacFarlane, chairman of the tri club, said: ‘The continued support of MacQueen Bros is greatly appreciated.
‘On behalf of the Mid Argyll Triathlon committee, I also want to thank Triathlon Scotland and all the other sponsors and supporters of the triathlon without whose support the event could not go ahead.’ Individual winners Male senior (first male) – Dominic Sharkey, Mid Argyll Tri Club: 1:06:15
Female senior (first female) – Ciara Largey, Omagh Triathlon club 1:16:15
Female veteran – Louise Ross, Glasgow Tri Club 1:18:27
Male veteran – Angus Peden, Ayrodynamics Tri Club 1:09.42
Male super vet – Stephen Whiston, Mid Argyll Triathlon club 1:12:29
Female super vet – Maria Dye, Helensburgh AAC 1:21:29
Female vintage – Sue Allen, Mid Argyll Tri Club 1:39:46
Male vintage – Richard Sloan, York 1:27:40
Male super vin- tage (70+) – Doug- las Wood, Stirling Tri Club 1:27:54 Male junior – Lorne Barrie, Lochgilphead 1:25:21 First Mid Argyll female – Sarah Griffin, Ardrishaig 1:19:20 First Mid Argyll male – Stephen Whiston, Ardrishaig 1:12:29 Team winners First adult team – GTC (Gormans Tri Champs) 1:12:15