The Welsh National Middle Distance Championship was held in Fishguard on the weekend as part of the Challenge Wales event. It was a thrilling and closely contested race. The competition featured a 1.9km swim, 90km bike, and a 21km run with a Welsh Title up for grabs in every category! It was a race of two halves with sun in the first half and mist In the second.
In the open race, Andrew Horsfall-Turner took an early lead after a strong 25min 20sec swim, but Liam Lloyd quickly caught up with him during the bike leg to eventually claim the win. It was a great performance by Liam Lloyd, who won his third Welsh Title of the year and eventually came third overall in a time of 4hr 09min 35sec)
The women's race was equally exciting, with Hannah Munday leading the way after a strong 30min 34sec swim. However, Hannah Saitch put in an impressive performance on the bike before Carys Mai Hughes overtook Hannah during the run to snatch the win. Carys' victory was particularly impressive because she is a local girl, and she managed to beat some very talented athletes in a time of 5hr 03min and 50sec.
Overall, it was a fantastic day of racing, with both the open and women's events featuring some great performances. Congratulations to Liam Lloyd (4hr 09min 35sec) and Carys Mai Hughes (5hr 03min 50sec) for their fantastic victories, and also to Andrew Horsfall-Turner (4hr 16min 32sec) and Ryan Jones (4hr 27min 53min) completing the overall open podium and Hannah Saitch (5hr 08min 12sec) and Emme Thomas (5hr 40min 58) for their impressive efforts.
We wish all the athletes the best of luck in the next upcoming Welsh National Championship which will be the Aquathlon in July!
Take a look at the Welsh National Category Champions in the Middle Distance below!
Open Senior
1. Liam Lloyd
2. Andrew Horsfall-Turner
3. Ryan Jones
Female Senior
1. Carys Mai Hughes
2. Hannah Saitch
3. Emme Thomas
Open Veteran
1. Stephen Rowlands
2. David Coates
3. Hugh Pascoe
Female Veteran
1. Kirsty Hudson
2. Natasha Barton
3. Alex Brown
Open Vintage Veteran
1. Peter Lloyd
2. Mark Evans
3. Mike Tate
Female Vintage Veteran
1. Tracy Haseldine
2. Daniela Jones
Open Super Veteran
1. David Spry
2. Chris Bloodworth