This morning (Sunday 11 June) saw the brightest age-group talent vie for British Standard Distance Triathlon Championship medals, alongside hundreds who took on sprint distance and relay races on day two of the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds.
Beginning from the same blue carpeted pontoon as the sports world class stars, the first events of the morning saw athletes take on a 1500m swim, 36.2km cycle and 10km run in 5-year age-group waves. As well as hosting the British Championships the race also double up as a Great Britain Age-Group Team qualifier for the 2018 ITU Standard Distance Triathlon World Championships, with many athletes toeing the line in hope of achieving a place to race down under on the Gold Coast.
Quickest finisher of the day was Edward Castro, captured the M25-29 title in just 20 seconds over 2-hours. James Wilson (M35-39) was next to finish in 2:01:01 with Daniel Jenkin taking the M30-34 crown finishing third overall in a time of 2:01:26.
Commenting on his performance, Castro said: ““I came here to get on the podium. I’m racing in Kitzbuhel next weekend (at the Kitzbühel ETU Triathlon European Championships), so just wanted to have a good race in the lead up.
“I didn’t compete here last year, but today was absolutely fantastic. Transitions were really smooth, the marshals were great - I can’t complain about anything.”
In the women’s field it was Emma Dixon who’s blistering 37:41 10km run saw her become the first woman to cross the finish line. Returning from 1026, where she finished third overall, Samantha Rose went one better coming second in a time of 2:17:12. Emma Pick was our third female to finish, in a time of 2:18:22.
Winner of the W35-39 age-group and either overall was Lisa Webb, who post-race said: “It was a great race – a great run in particular as most of it was downhill! The event was very well organised, much better than last year and I really enjoyed it.
“The ride into town was good. It wasn’t too cramped together and there was a decent amount of space between riders, so that was helpful.”
For those looking for something slightly shorter, the sprint distance race provided the perfect opportunity, consisting of a 750m swim, 18.9km cycle and 7.5km run leg into Leeds City Centre’s Millennium Square. Fastest over the shorter format was Gaetan Malfeyt, taking the tape in 1:14:20. He was followed home by Ben Macmillan some three minutes and 21 seconds later, and Felix Wernham, who clocked 1:17:58 to finish third overall. It was Brit Tate who stormed to victory in the women’s race in a time of 1:24:17, followed home by Angela Knowles and Naomi Reynolds.
Teams of two and three also took on the sprint and standard distance course as a relay, many raising money for charitable causes along the way.
For a full list of results, including all the races over the course of the weekend, click here.
