Gunther and Mackie take the top honours

ATHLETICS

Torbay Tri Club members enjoyed the Torbay Spirit Triathlon at the weekend

Torbay Tri’s Andrew Gunther and Helen Mackie took top club honours at the Torbay Sprint Triathlon as a record 20 club members took part in their annual championship race.

Male and female age group titles were also fiercely contested as Lee Turner, Frank Reay, Samantha Froggatt and Jo Coish claimed club prizes in their respected categories, while it was good day too for a number of individuals who made their club debut and posted personal best times over the short sprint distance.

Making the most of home advantage with the club having recently moved home to Clennon Valley, a 400m swim in the new pool was followed by a 15k bike on the Velopark before a race around Clennon fields on foot.

Time were: Andrew Gunther 51.05, Lee Turner 51.38, Jason Hurford 53.00, Gary Burman 53.08, Jamie Stevenson 54.22, Frank Reay 56.42, Simon Mills 57.43, Paul Whitehead 58.29, Glynn Hughes 59.57, Kevin Crocker 1:00.20, Julyan Bayes 1:00.47, Adam Williams 1:01.26, Mark Maslin 1:02.34, Helen Mackie 1:02.37, Wendy Urban 1:04.46, Bobby Singh 1:05.04, Angie Allen 1:11.16, Samantha Froggatt 1:14.35, Val McClean 1:15.37, Jo Coish 1:18.40.

In challenging wet and windy conditions, Adam Williams and Sarah Lakey successfully completed the Ironman 70.3 Weymouth.

Although the swim had to be reduced from 1.2 miles to around 1k, both then had to endure wet roads around the 56-mile bike course which saw Sarah succumb to several bike mechanical problems.

The flat half marathon run took the duo along Weymouth seafront several times before finagling crossing the finish line. Adam finished in 6:16.22 and Sarah in 7:14.01

Cathy Parkinson headed to Dorney Lake for some fast and flat Olympic distance racing and came away with another impressive performance, claiming an age group victory for her efforts.

Starting with a 1500m lake swim it was then quickly onto two wheels for several laps around the lake itself before the run which also ran parallel to the water, keeping everything close and very spectator friendly as husband Jon and son Josh cheered Cathy on at every opportunity. Cathy crossed the line in 2:54.54

Sarah Welsh once again proved that when it comes to extreme triathlons then she has plenty of strength and determination to succeed at the world’s toughest events.

Having headed to North Wales for the rather aptly named Brutal Extreme Triathlon the day began peacefully enough with a chilly yet beautiful 2.4-mile swim in Lake Pacers before heading out for 112 miles on the bike through stunning scenery and over challenging hills.

The real test came at the end though as Sarah took on scaling Wales’ highest mountain, Snowden. As if the whole event wasn’t tough enough, Sarah also had to contend with severe weather that was the worst in the event’s history.

Despite all this, Sarah not only finished in just under 18 hours but also won her age group.

Cassandra Harrison and Rose Parkhouse came away with runners up prizes in their age groups at the Exmouth Aquathlon.

The duo completed a 600m pool swim and 4.5k run, with Cassandra finishing in 31.15 and Rose 40.28

Flying the Riviera Racers flag at the hugely popular Bristol Half Marathon was Laura Collings.

Despite the weather Laura ran her longest race and completed in 3:10.35 for 6965th.

Torbay Athetic Club’s Charlie Arnell claimed second podium place with a nice 1hr 17mins 28sec personal best in the Great Bristol Half Marathon.

After an elite start this big city race headed off in the wind and rain from storm Bronagh, with the course taking 10,000 runners out of the city under the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge with spectacular views along the Avon Gorge in an electric atmosphere with music at 10 points along the course

Charlie was challenged by two other elite runners, Clara Evans from Cardiff AC who took first place in 1:16.26 and Serpentine Running Club’s Marta Bagnatni who finished third in 1:18.38.

It was a good day for Team Torbay at the Dornafield Ladies 10k where there were 197 runners on the undulating course, the rain stopped and the sun came out for this the 21st year of the event.

Naomi Flanagan finished third lady after a battle for the last four miles – finally having to settle for third place this time in 41mins 38secs. Team-mates Sara Jane Crozier claimed third FV50 in 51.08 and Gemma Radcliffe a PB in 1:05.04.

Anita Merritt ran in the Loch Ness Marathon held along the side of the famous loch, ending in Inverness. Anita finished in 4:18.02 with a new PB by nine minutes.

Dawlish Coasters Pat Clatworthy, Duncan, Corrie, Freddie Crake, Amber Dopson and Jaraed Goldsmith ran the Camelot Challenge Half Marathon in Sherborne – and a challenge it certainly was.

First coaster home at the Dornafield 10k was Leah Thomas in a time of 51mins 37secs. Also finishing were: Laraine Gibbons (55.06) and Leah Witton (1:01.55 and Melanie Goslin (1:02.00)