Clare makes GB time

Triathlon

Clare Donovan made an impressive return to the sport after a gap of two years in the Shropshire Triathlon with third place in her age-group to qualify to represent Great Britain in the European Championships at Kitzbuhel in Austria later this month.

The Tri Spirit member finished 240th overall and third in the women’s 60-64 age group covering the 1,500m swim, 40k bike ride and 10k run in two hours, 50 minutes and 07 seconds.

Husband Dick finished 216th overall and eighth in the men’s 60-64 in a time of 2:44.24 but is waiting to find out if he has made it to the Euros as well.

Elsewhere, on a busy weekend of action, Steve Berry was 11th in the Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon in south Galway.

The event, originally a 1.9k swim, 96k bike ride and 21k run, was reduced to a duathlon, due to fog on the lake.

Berry, who finished runner-up in the 45-49, age group said: “It went better than I thought it would do with a good first run and bike but the second run was horrible,”

New member Chris Gibson (1.33) Candy Hawkins (1.37) and lead man Mike Blacker (1.18) competed closer to home in the Ocean Lake Tri, Saturday Super Sprint series at Leybourne Lakes near Maidstone.

Gibson, racing his first triathlon of the season said: “The swim was quicker but still improving, first transition was horrific and needs improving.

“My 77th place was about right due to the swim and run but loved the bike section.”

Hawkins beat her time last year but admitted she needed more work on the bike.

However, she swam three minutes quicker than 12 months ago.

Alison Scantlebury finished fifth (1.24) in the Aylesham 10 mile run.

Vicky Aitkenhead, new to running this year, competed in the Rye 10 finishing in 1:51.

Jacqui and Steve Maxted raced in the Weald Challenge at Hailsham, completing the 13.6-mile trail run half-marathon, including 44 stiles, in 2:12.

Jacqui said: “It was hot and hilly but it was a great time in hot conditions.” Paul Brasington 136th in 2.00.49 Jon Wells raced in the Clumber Trailbrazer 10k in Nottingham, finishing in 43.16 Two of the club’s runners competed in the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday. Gill Pragnell ran well in the hot conditions in a time of 3:50.49, while Eddie Rodger came home in 4:31.52.