Quartet go the distance in Ironman
TRIATHLON GRAHAM COURTNEY FOUR Rossendale Triathlon Club members completed a journey that began nearly a year ago. In the summer of 2016 they decided to commit to Ironman UK 2017 and started their training that would see them through to complete the event.
The Ironman distance triathlon is a true test of endurance, to complete a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and run a marathon of 26.2 miles requires not only a certain level of fitness but also the mental strength to never give up.
All four members have had to endure long lonely bike rides in the depths of winter and hours of running in the wind and rain.
The swim starts at Pennington Flash lake near Leigh at 6am, once out of the water competitors take to the road and cycle to Rivington near Bolton where they join a two loop route which crosses over to West Lancashire passing through villages such as Croston and Mawdesley.
Transition 2, the finish of the bike section and beginning of the run route is at the Middlebrook retail park and Bolton Wanderers football ground with the route heading into Bolton town centre for three loops which take the total up to the 26.2 miles.
Lorraine Hopley achieved the quickest overall time of the four finishing in a fabulous time of 12 hours 25 minutes. This epic time placed Lorraine 5th in her age group in her first Ironman triathlon, this was no doubt down to Lorraine’s awesome run time of 3 hours 49 minutes.
Not far behind Lorraine was her husband Stephen with an overall time of 12 hours and 42 minutes. Both had been quite evenly matched over the swim and bike legs with Lorraine completing the swim in 1 hour 28 minutes and Stephen in 1 hour 24 minutes. Lorraine turned the tables on the bike section finishing in 6 hours 45 minutes against Stephen’s time of 6 hours 51 minutes and once Lorraine stated the run, her biggest strength she pulled away to take the bragging rights in the Hopley household.
Marc Evans finished with an overall time of 13 hours and 29 minutes. Marc was out of the water in 1 hour and 23 minutes and remained strong on the bike posting a time of 6 hours and 48 minutes for the 112 miles. After a quick change to run kit Marc started the marathon which he completed in 4 hours and 50 minutes.
Club Treasurer Stephen Hutchings was the final club member under the finish gantry 14 hours and 35 minutes after his early morning start. With a similar swim time of 1 hour 24 minutes to the others Stephen started well and wasn’t too far behind Marc on the bike section (7 hours, 19 minutes) and run (5 hours, 17 minutes).
All four quite rightly feel a massive sense of achievement and will be having a break from training for the next week or so. All the triathlon club members are immensely proud of them and the way they have represented our club.
If you fancy having a go at a triathlon the club are always looking for new members. The club provides structured training in a friendly welcoming environment and there are much shorter triathlon distances to start with than an Ironman!
If you’re interested come along to Marl Pits leisure centre in Rawtenstall at 6pm on any Thursday and chat to members and coaches or visit our website www. rossendaletriclub.co.uk