Trio pass Ironman test of character
LAST weekend saw three of Rossendale Triathlon club’s members taking on Ironman UK.
This long distance event is often the pinnacle of a triathletes journey as the distances are very often hard to comprehend when you first start out and it also requires months of dedicated training. Athletes must swim 2.4 miles in open water, cycle 112 miles and then run a marathon of 26.2 miles.
Taking on the challenge this year were Michael Hilton, Ashley Smith and Jonny Walsh.
The early morning start at Pennington Flash lake near Leigh really sets the nerves going as the music is cranked up and the compère gets all the competitors and spectators fired up. Once in the water all three settled into their swim and had no problems and finished the two lap swim in reasonable times. Ashley at 1 hour 18 minutes, Jonny at 1 hour 20 minutes and Michael with 1 hour 27 minutes.
Then it was on to the bike for the longest part of the day, a 112 mile 3 loop circuit around the rolling hills of Lancashire with a finish just outside Bolton.
The weather was ideal really, not too warm with light winds and the occasional shower and again no one had any issues on the bike with Michael posting a great time of 6 hours 36 minutes, Jonny 7 hours 17 minutes and
Ashley 7 hours 30 minutes.
Now there was just the small matter of a marathon to run. This is the point where all the training and mental strength really kicks in as your body is hurting and telling you to stop. The crowds that line the run route are awesome and spurred Michael on to run his marathon in an amazing time of 3 hours 50 minutes, Jonny completed his run in 4 hours 6 minutes and Ashley in 4 hours 47 minutes.
Overall finish times for the latest Rossendale Triathlon Club Ironman finishers was:- Michael Hilton - 12 hours 9 minutes.
Jonny Walsh - 13 hours 4 minutes.
Ashley Smith- 13 hours 58 minutes.