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Welsh Triathlon Standard Distance Triathlon National Championship

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The beautiful village of Broad Haven, on the West Coast of Pembrokeshire witnessed the 2016 Welsh Triathlon Standard Distance Triathlon National Championship race.

The race involved a beach start, followed by a 1500 metre sea swim in the grey waters of Broad Haven, an undulating 43 km bike and a 10.6 km run. The first 3 km of the run is along the beautiful, but leg sapping coastal path.

After registration, racking the bikes in transition and the mandatory safety briefing, the athletes gathered on the beach for the race start. Although it was late June, there was a nip in the air and the waves didn’t look too inviting. 

With a blast of the hooter, the athletes were off. The fastest swimmers made good progress, whilst the less confident waded into the surf.

First out of the water was Alex Matchett, closely followed by Deri Stewart, who had pulled away from the rest of the field. The large crowd then witnessed a steady stream of swimmers exiting the surf and running up the beach to transition. Chris Goulden gave a running commentary to the crowd, never once repeating himself.

Once all the swimmers had exited the water the Event Team erected the finish area on the beach and waited for the first cyclist to return. First back was Alex Matchet again, who had built up a small lead on Deri Stewart. Would the leg sapping run along the coastal path, give an opportunity, to the stronger runners to overtake the two leaders? Only time would tell.

Leading all the way to the finish was Alex Matchett, followed by Deri Stewart. Running his way into third position was Matthew Davies. All the athletes were given hearty cheers from the crowd, as they ran along the sandy beach to the finish.

Tom Roberts, the Chief Technical Official, confirmed that two athletes were penalised for drafting and both given 2-minute time penalties.

2016 Standard Distance National Champions

Male Senior

Position Name Club
1st Alex Matchett The Triathlon Shop Bristol
2nd Deri Stewart TCW / Team Tredz
3rd Matthew Davies Cardiff Triathletes

Female Senior

Position Name Club
1st Katie Greenwood Cardiff Triathletes
2nd Gina Bannister  
3rd Clare Manson Cardiff Triathletes

Male Veteran

Position Name Club
1st Sam Webster Cardiff Triathletes
2nd David Francis NBCC
3rd Richard Gardiner Tenby Aces

Female Veteran

Position Name Club
1st Elizabeth Williams Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club
2nd Jayne Arnold Celtic Tri
3rd Anna Williams Pembroke Swimming Club

Male Super Vet

Position Name Club
1st Mike Pfeiffer Brecon Triathlon Club
2nd Miles Brown Cardiff Triathletes
3rd John Phillips  

Female Super Vet

Position Name Club
1st Debbie Phillips Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club
2nd Tej Quine Cardiff Triathletes
3rd Claire Williams  

Male Vintage Vet

Position Name Club
1st Steve Pryke Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club
2nd Terry Jones Triathlon Coaching Wales
3rd Paul Bennett  

Female Vintage Vet

Position Name Club
1st Jan Hannaford Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club

Male Super Vintage Vet

Position Name Club
1st Roger Kieran  

Alex Matchett the overall winner of the male race and Senior Welsh Champion 2016 said, “I am very pleased to win my home race, on a very testing course. It was great to be pushed by some great competition.”

Deri Stewart who pushed Alex all the way said, “That was the toughest, hardest race I’ve done. The scenery was fantastic. There is no other race like it. I thoroughly recommend it”.

For those medal winners, who were unable to be at the presentation ceremony, the medals will be sent to you shortly in the post.

Welsh Triathlon would like to thank Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club for hosting a superb event. We would like to thank Dave Astins and all the volunteers who gave up their time, to ensure a well organised and friendly event for the athletes.

The next Championship race is the aquathlon, planned for Saturday 23 July 2016 in Porth Eiras. Gog Triathlon Club will be hosting this event. We hope to see you there.

 

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