17th April, 2016

Bro Ddyfi leisure centre, Machynlleth

Organiser: Cerist Triathlon Club

 

On Sunday 17th April the 2016 the Cerist Junior Aquathlon took place in Machynlleth. The day dawned frosty and bright, and organisers Cerist Triathlon Club started early on final course preparations. A field of 130 five to sixteen year olds started the annual swim/run, and this year a new course made for some excellent viewing, with competitors running past the historic Plas mansion after a loop of the town's football and rugby field. As the first in the Welsh Triathlon TriStars Series 2016, the race attracted plenty of talented triathletes from across the country, but there were also many less experienced and first-timers taking part.

 

The day warmed up nicely as the mid-day start approached, and the youngest age group, 'Cerist Kidz' (only five to seven years of age!), were first in the pool for their two lengths and one lap. The three girls and eight boys in this age category all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the whole experience! The girls race was won by Seren Borland of Conwy Tristars in 5:33.1, second was Ella Evans (Cerist Juniors) in 6:22.0, and third Ella May Hughes in 7:14.6. For the second year running, Cerist Juniors' Liam Reading won the boys race, finishing in 4:53.7. Two Ruthin Tristars took second and third place, with Ewan Leonard finishing in 4:58.1 and Ando Hannant in 5:30.8.

 

The girls TriStart (aged 8) category was won by Ana Joyce. After a decent swim and fast  run she clocked 4:41.8, and was followed in by Lily Roberts (Ruthin Tristars), 4:54.6, and Jessica Fletcher (Cerist Juniors) in 5:24.0. The top three boys were Teifi Owen of Welshpool Sharks in 4:59.0, Douglas Ray in 5:33.5 and Ollie Poole in 6:01.0.

 

The TriStars age groups, T1 (ages 9-10), T2 (11-12) and T3 (13-14) came next, and the racing was fast and competitive. Millie Hannant (Ruthin Tristars) took the T1 girls honours in very impressive style, with the quickest swim and run in a total time of 11:18.0. Next came Aimee Gorman (Cerist Juniors) in 12:17.7, and Maddy James (Ruthin Tristars) in 12:18.5. The boys title was won by Jac Thomas of Celtic Tri in 11:13.3. Second and third were Arwyn Walby (11:27.8) and Finlay Thapa of Cerist Juniors (11:37.1).

 

Eve Hickman (Aim2Tri) lead the girls T2 field with a quick swim and storming run, finishing in 14:47.1. Carys Watchorn was runner up with a time of 15:01.1, and third was Freya Thapa (Cerist Juniors) in 16:15.3. Liam Edwards from Carmarthen won the boys race in 13:50.8, with an excellent run putting him well clear of the field. Second and third were Deiniol Owen (Welshpool Sharks) and Henry White (Pembrokeshire Tri Club) in 14:26.5 and 14:41.7 respectively.

 

There was a fantastic battle for top spot in the T3 girls race, with Laura Sharp (Cadence Tri), 17:10.1, just pipping Orla Davies (Ruthin Tristars), 17:13.8, to first place. Laura swam the 360m in only 4:42.6, but Orla almost dragged it back with a brilliant 11:42.5 run over the heavy course. Molly Reardon (Celtic Tri) completed the top three, coming home in 19:32.8. Great racing girls! The top six boys in T3 all had similar swim times, but Joseph Reardon (Celtic Tri) ran superbly to take the honours comfortably with an overall time of 16:20.9. Tomas Griffiths of Pembrokeshire Tri Club was second in 17:20.0, and Ceirion Jones (Celtic Tri) third in 17:23.1.

 

Two local girls contested the Youth category. Mali Jones (ADASC) swam her 400m in a brilliant 5:29.0, and both her and Lauren Watts (Cerist Juniors) ran well.  Mali took top spot in 23:03.3 with Lauren clocking 25:30.0. The boys had a very good tussle for victory, with Pembrokeshire Tri Club's Rhys Davies taking first place in an impressive 18:53.5, but Emyr Thomas wasn't far behind, finishing in 19:12.5. Third spot was claimed by Tomos Parry of Conwy Tristars in a time of 21:27.1.

 

That concluded a fantastic day's racing in Machynlleth! Cerist Triathlon Club wishes to thank all who attended, and who helped to stage the event. Special thanks to AHE, Brighter Foods, Continental, and Dwr Cerist for their support.

For full results click here

 

Welsh Traithlon would like to Thank Gary and Cerist Triathlon Club for organising a great race

 

 

The Next Race in the Tristar series will be:

 

Ruthin Junior Triathlon

7th May 2016