Victories for Clarke and Swallow at the Strathclyde Park Elite Triathlon

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Jodie Swallow kicked off the British Triathlon season with an impressive performance at the Strathclyde Park Elite Triathlon on Sunday, finishing in first place ahead of local favourite Kerry Lang.

The event at Strathclyde Country Park - set to be the venue for the triathlon at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 - doubled up as the British Championships for the standard distance triathlon, which involves a gruelling 1500m swim, followed by a 40km bike ride and rounded off with a 10km run.

Bright and breezy conditions prevailed as the race got underway, with Lang, who is based in Elderslie near Glasgow, making the most of the swim leg to exit in the leading group alongside Swallow.

The Scot headed off in the saddle in first place, and maintained that position until the run when she was passed by Swallow.

Lang said:

“The swim was good, there were a few people close to me in the first fifty metres but I just kept my head and swam strongly. I’d been in the water earlier so I knew it wasn’t too cold. I just wanted to get out in front and get a good lead."

“The transitions between each discipline were both smooth, I got passed about 500m into the run and I knew Jodie was running strongly. I generally work my way into the run but I probably let her get too far ahead early on.�

Lang, who combines a successful career as an ear, nose and throat specialist at the Southern General hospital in Glasgow with a demanding schedule as an elite triathlete, has competed at the Strathclyde Park venue twice before but this was her first podium finish.

She said: 

“I’m pleased with my performance at this early stage in the season and I’m delighted to get silver - hopefully it will be gold next year!"

Swallow looked strong as she came round the final bend to take gold ahead of Lang, with Birmingham’s Jodie Stimpson winning bronze.

Swallow said:

“It went really well for me today, yes it was a tough race and really hard work but I enjoyed it and am in good shape and proved that today. The cold wasn’t an issue, I didn’t notice it which is a good sign.�

Swallow is good friends with the runner up Lang and enjoyed the competition with her today:

“Kerry and I have worked hard for this so it was great for us to finish as a one-two. We talked about today during the week and it worked well for me in the end but we are both British athletes so want to do this on the world stage together.�

There is no rest for these triatheletes as Swallow heads to France next week to compete for her French team in Dunkirk next weekend.

But there was disappointment for Scottish champion Catriona Morrison, from Broxburn in West Lothian. The 32-year-old was forced to withdraw during the bike stage due to a stomach illness. Morrison, who is the reigning World Long Distance duathlon champion, was frustrated at being unable to finish the race.

Morrison said:  

“I woke up this morning feeling quite ill. I was going to pull out this morning but I thought I’d at least start and see what happens. I wanted to start rather than lie in bed wondering what might have happened."

“The water was cold, and I wasn’t expecting a brilliant swim, but I’m more disappointed not to finish as I hardly ever pull out of races.�

Morrison, who enjoyed an impressive victory in St Croix earlier this month, still has her sights set on regaining the European Duathlon title she won two years ago when the event takes place in Hungary next week.

“I’m hopefully going to do well there and it’s important to be healthy for that,� she added.

The men’s race was won by British Olympian Will Clarke. The 24-year-old cruised to victory to notch up his second British Championship win and third victory at Strathclyde Park.

He said: 

“It was a fantastic first race of the season and it couldn’t have gone better. I love winning a race like that and it was a great confidence boost for the season ahead. I love the course here now – I’d come back every weekend to race if I could.�

World and European Under23 Champion in 2006, Clarke is hoping to continue his impressive form in the senior ranks, with the London Olympics in 2012 a key focus.

He said: 

“I’m definitely aiming for the Olympics in three years time as well as the Commonwealths here in Glasgow in 2014. Hopefully my form will continue so there’s a lot to look forward to.�

Clarke was in the front pack out of the water, and built up an impressive lead over the bike leg which proved invaluable when he took a tumble from his bike with 2km remaining.

“My gears were clunking around and I hit the deck. My tyre rolled off so I had to put that back on - I was looking over my shoulder to see how much the others were catching up. The gap went from over a minute to down to about 20 seconds, but luckily I’d built up a good lead and was able to keep pushing on the run.�

The British Championship silver medal was won by Aaron Harris, competing over the Olympic standard distance for only the third time. Bronze went to Dann Brook from Sheffield.

There was further heartache for Scotland’s double champion David McNamee. The Irvine born triathlete was hoping to gain selection for the European Under23 Triathlon Championships in Italy next month, but was unable to finish the race after his saddle broke midway through the bike ride.

He said: 

“I had less than 10km to go on the bike when my saddle came loose and bent backwards. It was too dangerous to carry on and I would have lost too much time."

“I’m really disappointed - you have days like this but it’s not what I wanted at the British Championships. I’ve got to go away now, get over it and move on – I’m racing at Blenheim in a couple of weeks time so I’ll go there and try and get some self respect back.�

Full results and commentary from the event can be found by clicking here.