The British Triathlon Championships Liverpool saw 1500 triathletes battle for national titles in youth, junior, senior, paratriathlon and amateur age categories during one spectacular day of racing.
Racing together for the first time ever in a combined National Championships, the hot conditions brought out the best in athletes from across the country as they batted for national titles and PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London places.
A swim in Queen's and Wapping Docks was followed by a closed-roads city centre cycle ride and a run around Liverpool docks, including running past the Echo Arena and the Royal Liver Building.
The senior elite races were dominated by Australia, with wins for Charlotte McShane and London 2012 Olympian, Brendan Sexton. First British athletes across the line were Emma Pallant, a former elite runner turned triathelte, and Callum Johnson, 19 from Newcastle upon Tyne.
Sexton said: “I certainly had to work for it. It’s good to come over to the British Triathlon Super Series and down here at the docks it’s a wonderful location.”
Johnson was surprised to finish as the top British athlete, and it is encouraging for the future that he is still a junior. He finished third overall and said: “I knew my form was good, it was just a case of putting it all together. To come out on top out of all the Brits is just unbelievable.”
The women’s race was also won by an Australian, Charlotte McShane, who enjoyed returning to Britain having been born in Scotland.
She said: “When I started the run I felt really terrible but I held back until I could put in a surge and breakaway. It worked, it paid off.”
Pallant finished second overall and was pleased to lift the British title: “It’s not bad for a first year, hopefully my coach, Michelle Dillon, will be pleased with that and it’s nice to have my family out supporting today.”
Jonathan Fairhurst, 41 from West Kirby on the Wirral was one of 85 members of the Mersey Tri Club to take part. The club is one of the biggest in the country.
He said: “The atmosphere was brilliant. Most of my family came down. Racing in club colours on the home course meant you were getting shouted with encouragement, it gives you a massive lift racing in Liverpool.”
He added: “I think the area is tailor made for an event like this. The course is spectator friendly so it encourages people to come out and watch. We all met up afterwards and watched the elite men and women show us how it should be done, it was hugely impressive.”
Paratriathlete, Phil Hogg from Derby appreciated the support as he won his Tri1 category and the national title. He said: “It was amazing. There were lots and lots of people supporting us because we’re all racing together.”
Results are available here. The event is scheduled to be televised on Sunday 28 July on Channel 4 at 7am.
British Elite title winners (spint distance):
Paratriatlon winners listed here.
