Sunday 25th March saw the hosting of The Welsh National Duathlon Championships, facilitated by Always Aim High events as part of the Harlech Triathlon and Duathlon Event. Glorious sunshine welcomed the athletes at the first National Championship of the season as a frosty morning turned into a spectacular afternoon, where the weather could only be matched by the views at the end of a brutal finish within the walls of Harlech Castle.
A competitive field across both Triathlon and Duathlon were welcomed by hundreds of enthusiastic supporters across the route. With the Triathlon commencing within Harlech Swimming pool, the duathletes made their way towards the seafront to commence their first run leg. The 5km course returned to transition, where duathletes and triathletes met, before embarking on a flat and fast 21km cycle course. Having completed the bike, the athletes faced a final 2.5km run course before ‘storming the castle’ with 127 steps to the walls of Harlech Castle, where they were met by a festival of colour within the castle walls.
In a hugely competitive and local field, the men’s duathlon top three was also the Welsh National Championship, with Simon Cole of GOG Triathlon Club taking top spot ahead of Phillip Maddocks in second, and Pawl Hawkins in third.
Completing a clean sweep for GOG Triathlon Club, the overall women’s duathlon winner was Rhian Roxburgh. Rhian completed the stunning course comfortable ahead of Sophie Horrocks in second and Rhian Thomas in third, and ahead of Jasmine Bowyer and Emer Sandham within the Welsh National Championships competition.
Within the Triathlon event, the men’s top three separated by just under four minutes. Total Tri Training’s Chris Standidge took first place in the men’s race – two minutes ahead of Nathan Ford in second and Dan Elliot in third. In the women’s field, Helen Marshall finished first, ahead of second place Catherine Connell in and Helen Mason in third.
Welsh Triathlon would like to thank Always Aim High for hosting the National Duathlon Championship this year, and also congratulate everyone who took part across both events over the weekend.
Welsh National Duathlon Championship Medalists for 2018
| Category | Award | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Female Senior (20-39) |
Gold | Jasmine Bowyer | 1:22:15 |
| Silver | Emer Sandham | 1:22:56 | |
| Bronze | Claire Bishop | 1:44:59 | |
|
Female Veteran (40-49) |
Gold | Rhian Roxburgh | 1:12:38 |
| Silver | Helen Owen | 1:31:11 | |
|
Female Super Veteran (50-59) |
Gold | Jo Grandfield | 1:27:03 |
| Silver | Lorna Shaw | 1:30:41 | |
| Bronze | Anne Mynott | 1:32:06 | |
|
Male Youth (15,16) |
Gold | Joshua Wallace | 1:15:40 |
|
Male Junior (17,18,19) |
Gold | Ifan Oldfield | 1:06:30 |
|
Male Senior (20-39) |
Gold | Simon Cole | 1:02:58 |
| Silver | Phillip Maddocks | 1:04:38 | |
| Bronze | Paul Hawkins | 1:05:37 | |
|
Male Veteran (40-49) |
Gold | Gareth Green | 1:05:46 |
| Silver | Christopher Lewis | 1:12:10 | |
|
Male Super Veteran (50-59) |
Gold | Geran Hughes | 1:14:12 |
| Silver | Paul White | 1:27:31 | |
| Bronze | Gwyn Jones | 1:28:22 | |
|
Male Vintage Veteran (60-69) |
Gold | Roy Lewis | 1:22:26 |
| Silver | Colin Hunt | 1:24:17 | |
| Bronze | Ian Laing | 1:31:27 |
