Scenic setting for seven triathletes
TRIATHLON GRAEME COURTNEY
WITH the competitive season drawing to a close seven Rossendale Triathlon Club members made the journey to North Nottinghamshire on Sunday 22nd September to take part in the inaugural Outlaw X triathlon.
This half Iron distance triathlon was a celebration by the organisers OSB who have been putting on fantastic events for the past 10 years throughout Nottinghamshire and Norfolk. The new venue that had been chosen at Thoresby Hall was simply stunning. A beautiful lake to swim the 1.2 miles in, great country roads to ride the 56 miles on and superb parkland for the 3 lap, 13.1 mile run route.
Of the seven club members only three had completed this distance triathlon previously so it was a great place for the four newbies to experience a longer distance tri.
On Saturday during registration and bike racking the sun was beaming down, fantastic we all thought what a way to end the season.
However, true to form with the British weather Sunday dawned dry but with the forecast of heavy showers.
Athletes started the swim between 07:10 and 08:00 depending on their age and it looked like it was going to be a nice day for the bike and run, but it wasn’t long until the heavy rain came and slowed everyone down slightly on the bike course.
The heavy rain subsided once back in the Thoresby estate and the light rain showers were quite welcome to keep you cool.
Michael Hilton took Club honours with an overall finish time of 5 hours, 22 minutes and 38 seconds, just pipping Club Coach Graeme Courtney by 4 seconds! Courtney however did place 12th in his age group of 50-54.
The next three finishers were all new to this distance and posted superb times; Dave Woods 5 ●● Geoff Chiu, Graeme Courtney, Andy Kellar, Michael Hilton and Dave Woods hours 43 minutes, Andy Kellar 6 hours 10 minutes and Geoff Chiu 6 hours 19 minutes.
Heather Schofield finished her season off in style by bettering her previous half iron distance time by some way finishing in 7 hours 40 minutes.
Despite having a poor swim Francine Hilton showed true determination and commitment to finish the event in 8 hours 30 minutes.