The Bala Middle Distance Triathlon played host to the Welsh Championships on Sunday, with 194 athletes on the start list. The event was also round one of the Welsh National Series, with home nation members scoring points based on their relative finishing times.
The day started off with changeable conditions, ensuring a choppy swim in Llyn Tegid and rain during the bike stage. Stewart Moore, from Manchester Triathlon Club, was the early leader in the men’s race, establishing a lead of over two minutes after the ~1.9k swim. Meanwhile, the women’s race was a close affair heading out on the bike, with Louise Kelly (Yonda Racing) first out of the water.
The 80k bike course would prove to be a decisive factor in the men’s race, with Ashley Hurdman (Team Botrill HSS Hire) moving from 2nd place after the swim to establish a big lead that he would never relinquish. In the women’s race the battle for top spot came down to two athletes following the bike, but was still in the balance heading out onto the run. Louise Kelly (Yonda Racing) and Kerry Oldfield (C.O.L.T) came off the bike within thirty seconds of each other, with Kelly overhauling this deficit in transition to take a small lead out onto the run.
Following the bike, athletes took on an undulating 20k lakeside run, with the the tough terrain proving a real test of stamina. Ashley Hurdman maintained his lead on the run to win in an impressive 3h55’27. Meanwhile, in the battle for the remaining podium spots it was Lewis Eccleston (Manchester Tri Club) who edged away from Richard Anderson (RedVenom) in 4h08’25 and 4h09’06 respectively.
The first athlete home in the Welsh Championship was Ross Simpson (Urban Cyclery) 4h17’56, followed by Gareth Hodgson (Team Cranc) 4h23’11 and Tom Walker 4h30’50.
In the women’s race Louise Kelly ran away from Kerry Oldfield to win in 4h59’20, with Kerry Oldfield 2nd in 5h04’58, winning the F40-49 category in the process. Third place went to Helen Teasdale, in 5h12’59, who became Welsh Champion in the F40-49 category.
Congratulations to all the athletes who raced and battled through the rain early on to finish in bright sunshine and warm conditions by the end of the run. Thanks to Wats-on events and Wrecsam tri club for a fantastic event and to all the marshals and volunteers who made the event possible.
Welsh Champions were decided across categories from Junior to Super Vet and can be shown in the table below:
|
Category |
1st place |
2nd place |
3rd place |
|
Junior Male (19) |
Sion Kelly Williams (GOG Triathlon Club) |
- |
- |
|
Senior Male (20-39) |
Ross Simpson (Urban Cyclery) |
Gareth Hodgson (Team Cranc) |
Tom Walker (U/A) |
|
Senior Female (20-39) |
Nicola Summers (RacingTNT) |
Sophie Thomas (Tenby Aces) |
Eleanor Davis (Clwb Beicio'r Bala) |
|
Veteran Male (40-49) |
David Woodsford (Cr@p Tri) |
Steffan Ford (Freedom Triathlon) |
Craig Flannery (U/A) |
|
Veteran Female (40-49) |
Helen Teasdale (U/A) |
- |
- |
|
Super Vet Male (50-59) |
Martin Evans (Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club) |
Peter Ward (GOG Triathlon Club) |
Ian Mossop (U/A) |
|
Super Vet Female (50-59) |
Debbie Jones (U/A) |
Maggie Collingborn (U/A) |
|
Congratulations to all the medallists!
Full results of the race can be found HERE:
The standings in the Welsh National Series can be found HERE
This is a competition open to all home nations members. Points are allocated relative to the time of the 40th percentile finisher. The best three races count for the series with prizes across the national championship age-groups. Both races that Youth and Juniors can all enter will count in the Youth and Junior categories.
The next Welsh Championship event will be the Standard Distance Championships, which will take place at the Cardiff Triathlon on Sunday 25th June. This will also host the second round of the national series.
