Triathletes on home soil
The first Arran Triathlon Festival attracted a big entry at the weekend. And for the Arran Junior Triathlon Club it was their first chance to complete in a major competition on home soil. Above, club members line up for the kayak event, while Eilidh Hamill and Jack Popplewell, left, are all smiles. For full report and more pictures,
The first Arran Triathlon Festival took place last weekend and proved a big success with entrants from the island and the mainland taking part in a variety of events based around the outdoor education centre in Lamlash.
There was a good entry of British age group triathletes, including Arran’s Rory Hunter, who the previous week won the British triathlon sprint championship, and took the sprint distance top spot on Arran.
The festival, run by Isle of Arran Junior Triathlon Club, took place on Saturday when there was racing for all, with a youth triathlon as well as middle, standard and sprint distance races.
There was also a sea swim from Holy Isle, with biking round the island and an outand-back run to finish.
Around 40 youngsters took part where the TriStar 1 victors were Alex Reid and Rhea Webster, TriStar 2; Harry Barr and Julie Hamill, and in the TriStar 3/youths Andrew Mitchell and Bronagh Beattie.
There was a sprint, standard and middle distance racing as well, with Rory Hunter (unattached) the clear victor in the men’s sprint (1:01:11). Ian Hannah (Newton Stewart Triathlon Club) was comfortable in second (1:10:44), and Graham Young (Newton Stewart Triathlon Club) won the battle for third (1:17:58). Fusion Triathlon’s Fiona Cockburn took the female race and also finish fourth overall with her time of 1:18:42. Frances Butler (Newton Stewart Triathlon Club) and Hazel Kennedy took second and third respectively in 1:21:25 and 1:21:38.
In the standard event Kevin Brydon (unattached) was the overall winner and first male in 2:09:36, with Mike Legget second in 2:15:28. Scott McLean completed the men’s podium line-up in 2:22:28.
Jemma McNeill of Newton Stewart Triathlon Club was the clear winner in the female race finishing in 2:17:06, a time that also saw her take third overall.
Jacqui Thomson (2:26:22) and Heather McKay (2:38:18) completed the 1-2-3.
Completing the day’s action was the middle distance event. Viktor Taranenko (Edinburgh Triathlon) won in 4:47:41, ahead of Mark Quinn (Craven Energy Triathlon Club) and Teemu Kyllonen, who finished in 4:58:40 and 5:08:30 respectively.
In the women’s race Carol Young (Craven Energy Triathlon Club) took the top spot with her time of 5:57:28. Catherine Hill (Craven Energy Triathlon Club) and Katy Hall completed the medal winners.
Organiser Craig Wood said: ‘It went really well for the club’s first event. The junior kids have once again proven we are one of the best club’s in Scotland.
‘We have a busy few weekends with the Scottish championships in two weeks’ time.’
*See letters page 8.