Tri club gets in gear for new season

TRIATHLON GRAEME COURTNEY WITH the triathlon season due to start in a matter of weeks Rossendale Triathlon Club members have been warming up with various events, the most recent being the Firefighters 2 up duathlon organised by Epic Events.

The event is unique in that the teams of two must remain within 20 metres of each other on the run and bike sections, this gives a massive benefit on the bike section as drafting your teammate is allowed.

This well established race took place on Sunday with eight Tri club members competing. The less than favourable conditions continued on and off for the duration of the race and all competitors were met with wet and slippery conditions on the run and standing water and strong gusts on the bike route.

The duathlon started with a 5.6km trail run through Rivington Country Park with a short sharp hill at the beginning and a lengthier climb towards the end. Following this competitors had a 37km bike route over the infamous Sheephouse Lane, through Belmont, Abbey Village and Wheelton before a further hilly section just before Angelzarke reservoir. Upon returning to transition at Blackrod and Rivington high school competitors had to don their wet running shoes once again to tackle the same 5.6km run.

Highest placed club member in 10th position overall was Steven Gregory and his partner Daniel Pearson finishing in an overall time of 2 hours and 6 minutes. Steven was a little disappointed with his time but accepted that the conditions weren’t ideal and Daniel was a last-minute stand-in for Steven’s regular partner.

The club member with the best age category position was Martin Lee and his partner Peter Pollit picking up 2nd place in the 50-54 age category with an overall time of 2 hours and 23 minutes.

For the second year running club press officer Graeme Courtney and club head coach Patrick Walkington paired up, although their times were a little down on the previous year they still finished just inside the top 20 in their age group with a time of 2 hours and 26 minutes

The best-placed Rossendale Tri club female member was Charlotte Hartley and her partner Hannah Lambert, this newly established partnership collected 4th place in the female category with a time of 2 hours and 57 minutes.

First timers at this event and first time partners were club member Margaret Mannion and club coach Lee Cramp who posted a great overall time of 3 hours and 15 minutes.

New club member Alex McIver and his partner Gareth Finlayin their first duathlon finished in an overall time of 4 hours and 18 minutes.

If you fancy joining the club come along to Marl Pits running track on a Thursday at 6pm.