The latest football news, analysis, game coverage, live scores, schedules, rankings. Follow the Super Rugby Season, Rugby Championship
Stuart Hayes finished the Olympic distance race in 1:54:28, less than a minute ahead of young Tom Davis with David Bartlett in third. World Duathlon Champion Emma Pallant’s winning time of 2:06:06 was too strong for the opposition. Sarah Lewis (Freespeed) and Emma Deary (Stortford Tri) also performed excellently and took second and third respectively.
Advertisement
Winner of the shorter Sprint distance was Mark Yeoman in 1:19:44 (Viceroys) in the male category, with Ben Ashwell and Duncan Allan completing the podium. The female winner was Carol Bridge (Rhondda Tri Club) in 1:26:59, closely followed by Bridget King and Karen Roake (B2P Tri Club).
Around 2,000 triathletes of all abilities took on the triathlon, which included a start in the River Thames and a final run in the shadow of the unmistakeable Windsor Castle. Many were racing to try and claim a much sought after place on the podium, whilst others were taking part with the sole ambition of finishing, with many choosing to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The swim route (1,500 metres Olympic, 750m Sprint) is predominantly downstream arguably favouring the weaker swimmers, before a quick dog-leg and an exit next to Alexandra Park where transition is located. After transition the bike course (40km Olympic, 30km Sprint) was where many looked the most comfortable, followed by the run (10km Olympic, 5km Sprint.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
New for 2016 was the Club Championship, allowing members of triathlon clubs to represent their team on race day. The female title went to Berkshire Tri Squad, with Team Dillon taking the male silverware.
Advertisement
In the relays Team Beecroft picked up the sprint title, with Team Choppers claiming the Olympic. The oldest winners on the day were Tom Rylance (79) and Daphne Belt (76), with Tom completing the run section barefoot! Many other awards were handed out to each of the age group winners, with full results available from www.humanrace.co.uk/results
Thinking about competing next year? The Windsor Triathlon will return on Sunday 18th June 2017. Registration is already open for those who want to take up the challenge, with a £20 discount if you enter in the next few days
Windsor Triathlon – race tips
.
The beautiful Central American country of Costa Rica is to hold a Ironman 70.3 race in June 2017. The inaugural event will take place on Sunday, June 18, 2017, in Playa del Coco, Guanacaste, located on the Pacific Coast.
Advertisement
“With its beautiful natural landscape and indigenous flora and fauna, Costa Rica is the ideal place to host an Ironman 70.3 race,” said Wilber Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Miami Tri Events and Colombia Tri Events and licensee of this new race. “We are confident that this event will become a classic as participants cross the finish line in a stunning location that will let them know their effort was worthwhile.”
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
The triathlon begins with a 1.9km one-loop swim in the Gulf of Papagayo, while riding the 90 km two-loop bike course through the region’s lush vegetation, will give participants the chance to see monkeys and iguanas, if they take their eyes off the road.
The 21 km (13.1 mile) run course takes place between palm trees with an ocean view and brings athletes to the finish line in breathtaking Playa del Coco, Guanacaste.
“It is a great honour to welcome athletes and their families from around the world to our country,” said Mauricio Ventura, Minister of Tourism of Costa Rica. “This is an opportunity for everyone to come together and enjoy the race with thousands of supporting spectators.”
“Costa Rica’s lavish rainforests, beautiful beaches on the Pacific Ocean and endless biodiversity make it the perfect destination race,” expressed Edwin Vargas, Vice President of Colombia Tri Events. “Athletes will be greeted by a country that values ecotourism with such energy, they will feel the appreciation for nature, local society and culture immediately.”
Advertisement
Related
Free Ironman 70.3 training plans
Middle-Distance Pacing
How to master the middle distance run leg
How to taper for middle-distance triathlons
Swimrun came to the UK in a big way this weekend, as the Swedish originators of the format, ÖtillÖ, hosted their first world series British race in the Isles of Scilly.
Advertisement
Meaning ‘island to island’ the ÖtillÖ series began as the result of a drunken bet between two friends, who wondered how long it would take to race across the Stockholm archipelago of islands. That race now forms the world championship event each September, but as the format increases in popularity, more qualifying races are appearing across Europe.
ÖtillÖ Isles of Scilly in pictures
Across land and sea
The swimrun format comprises alternating sections of tough trail running and sea swimming and you race in teams of two, so each pairing can support each other through the often tricky race conditions. In the Scilly race, competitors took on a total distance of 37.5km, with 30km of trail running around the Scilly coastlines and 7.5km of swims between islands.
Those swims weren’t for the faint-hearted either. The first swim was 2,000m and the last – back to the starting island of St Mary’s – was 2,350m against a tricky current. Shorter swims made up the middle section as the race truly lived up to the ‘island to island’ concept.
Athletes from all over the world attended. Many Swedish swimrunners were in Scilly hoping to take the win at the first UK race, while it also attracted people from as far afield as Japan. Many British athletes were competing to try the format for the first time and they included former pro triathlete and swim coach Richard ‘the fish’ Stannard, who was competing with ultra-runner Andrew Fargus.
Winning strategy
It was Stannard and Fargus who led from the start and stuck to a clear race strategy to eventually take the win in the hotly-contested men’s category. “We set off hard to take the lead and pressed all the way, but we had to constantly look over our shoulders,” said Stannard. “Swimrun is not just a race, it’s a massive adventure and this course is beautiful!
“It is a stunning set of islands and such a great way to see them. Even if you are trying to win you get through some amazing scenery and there were lots of people cheering along the course, which was really welcoming. The race was tough, especially the last 2,350-metre-long swim when the body really starts to feel it.”
In the women’s and mixed races it was the Swedish teams that prevailed, with the current Women’s ÖtillÖ Swimrun World Champion Annika Ericsson taking the win in the women’s category with her partner Maria Edstedt.
Also racing was 220 Triathlon Editor Helen Webster (check back online later this week for her race blog) with Swedish partner Göran Wernqvist, and 220 writer and adventure racer Andy Blow, whose race report will appear in the next issue of 220.
Top 3 Race Results
Men
1. Richard Stannard and Andrew Fargus (GBR), Team Richard & Andrew, 5:02:44
2. Stefano Prestinoni and Fredrik Axegård (SWE), Team Swimshop.se, 5:04:22
3. Henrik Wahlberg and Claes Wiréhn (SWE), Team Löplabbet, 5:07:33
Mixed
1. Martina Ågren (USA) and Oskar Davidsson (SWE), Team Carbon 5:49:14
2. Anna Schlosser (SWE) and Johan Johansson (DEN), Team Crawlkurser.com 6:04:34
3. Ulrik Persson and Maggan Persson (SWE), Team Helikopter Wing 6:41:21
Women
1. Annika Ericsson and Maria Edstedt (SWE), Team Trispot, 5:56:40
2. Rosemary Byde and Isobel Joiner (GBR), Team sportextreme.com 6:21:39
3. Jenny Rice and Claire Wilson (GBR), Team Girls Wot Can, 6:41:47
For a complete result list click here. To find out more about ÖtillÖ visit the website here.
Tempted to try a race? See the current issue of 220 Triathlon for a 6-page feature on swimrun gear. Subscribe here.
Advertisement
To discover more about the Isles of Scilly, go to visitislesofscilly.com. To book your journey, visit islesofscilly-travel.co.uk or phone 01736 334220. There are Skybus flights to St. Mary’s all year round from Land’s End and Newquay Airports, and between March and October from Exeter Airport. Prices start from £140 return from Land’s End. From spring to late-autumn, the Scillonian lll passenger ship sails up to seven days a week between Penzance and St. Mary’s. Prices start from £90 return. 220 Triathlon stayed at the fantastic Star Castle Hotel, St. Mary’s, star-castle.co.uk.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
In the Olympic distance triathlon at The Dambuster’s triathlon at Rutland Water William Cowen (Jackpot Racing), was the overall winner, just 16 seconds clear of David Bartlett (Cycleogic.co.uk). Separated by just two seconds in the swim, David gained around 30 seconds over the rolling bike course, before William managed to reverse the positions with a 34:41 run split, which was the fourth fastest of the day. Third overall was Ashley Hurdman (Huub TFN RT) who overcame a two-minute swim deficit with an exceptional bike performance and strong run, to finish just 15 seconds slower than David. All three won their respective categories.
Advertisement
Claire Hann (Bikescience) was the overall winner in the women’s field. Starting with the fastest swim time of the day, she ended with the fastest run too – and came very close to making it a clean sweep on the bike. Only Emma Dreary, (Stortford Tri), who took second overall was able to go just a few seconds quicker on the bike than Claire.
Becky Schofield (Physio Resolutions) completed the podium with a strong performance across all three disciplines. As with the men, all three also won their respective age-group races in the process.
On Sunday the Ffit Conway Triathlon hosted the final, draft-legal sprint distance Cozumel qualifier in North Wales, courtesy of Xtra Mile Events.
In the women’s Jacqui Phillips (TRIKS) was able to show the youngsters a thing or two by taking the win and first place in the 45-49 category. A long-time member of the Great Britain team, Jacqui will be hoping to add Gold in Cozumel to a CV., which already counts European and World Championship medals into double figures over Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquathlon events.
For the men, it was a youngster, Benjamin Baugh (Linc Squad) who won the 15-19 category and overall hounours by almost one minute from Grant Bateman (Hillingdon Triathletes). James Hodgson completed the podium, with all three athletes taking first place in their respective age-groups.
Dambuster Triathlon
ITU Qualifier 2016 (Standard Distance) 1.5km / 42km / 10km
Men
1st – William Cowen (Jackpot Racing) – 1:58:21
2nd – David Bartlett (Cycleogic.co.uk) – 1:58:37
3rd – Ashley Hurdman (Huub TFN RT) – 1:58:52
Women
1st – Claire Hann (Bikescience) – 2:15:11
2nd – Emma Dreary (Stortford Tri) – 2:18:01
3rd – Becky Schofield (Physio Resolutions) – 2:20:48
Full results
Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon
ITU Qualifier 2016 (Draft-Legal, Sprint Distance) 750m / 19km / 5km
Men
1st – Benjamin Baugh (Linc Squad) – 1:02:49
2nd – Grant Bateman (Hillingdon Triathletes) – 1:03:43
3rd – James Hodgson – 1:06:05
Women
1st – Jacqui Phillips (TRIKS) – 1:12:37
2nd – Blythe Fourie (Racepace) – 1:13:19
3rd – Ashia Fenwick (University of Bath) – 1:14:02
Advertisement
Full results
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Race report: ÖtillÖ’s first UK race a huge success in Scilly Isles
Advertisement
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
The British female athlete’s consistent run of medals continued at the ETU Triathlon European Under-23 Championships in Burgas, Bulgaria with Sophie Coldwell winning a silver medal in the individual race over the sprint distance
Originally meant to be held over the Olympic distance,Coldwell, as a strong swimmer, would have hoped the swim would have provided more opportunity of a breakaway in perhaps her strongest discipline. Despite leading out of the revised 750m non-wetsuit swim, however the flat nature of the course saw athletes regroup and a large pack all descend upon T2 in close proximity with the medals to be decided on the 5km run course. Zoe Thomaswas also in that lead group at the start of the run.
A very close finish saw the first four athlete cross the line within six seconds, Coldwell surprising herself on the run to take the silver medal just one second in arrears to Italy’s Angelica Olmo.
Advertisement
“Can’t believe little old me got my first championship medal from a run race!” she said after the event.
Coldwell also helped the mixed British team, of Zoe Thomas, Christopher Perham and Morgan Davies to a silver. In a close battle throughout, Italy took top spot on the podium in the final stages with the British team having to serve a 10 second penalty, Davies bringing the team home for the Silver with Spain completing the podium for the Bronze medals.
Spain’sDavid Castro Fajardo took the Gold in the Men’s race, with Grant Sheldon(fifth), the leading British athlete. As with the Women’s event, despite various attacks and breaks on the bike it was all down to the final 5km run as a huge group reached the second transition separated by very few seconds.
Burgas ETU Triathlon U23 European Championships – 750m / 20km / 5km (race amended to Sprint distance)
Women
1st – Angelica Olmo (ITA) – 1:05:35
2nd – Sophie Coldwell (GBR) – 1:05:36
3rd – Ekaterina Matiuk (RUS) – 1:05:37
20th – Zoe Thomas (GBR) – 1:07:10
DNS – Chloe Cook (GBR)
Men
1st – David Castro Fajardo (ESP) – 59:51
2nd – Dario Chitti (ITA) – 59:54
3rd – Shacher Sagiv (ISR) – 59:57
5th – Grant Sheldon (GBR) – 1:00:10
11th – Christopher Perham (GBR) – 1:00:25
24th – Morgan Davies (GBR) – 1:01:04
32nd – Calum Johnson (GBR) – 1:01:30
Burgas ETU Triathlon U23 Mixed Relay European Championships –
300m / 8km / 1.5km
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Team Results
1st – Italy – 1:39:10
2nd – Great Britain – 1:39:30
3rd – Spain – 1:40:12
Advertisement
Full Results
New research shows a lack of sleep can cause an athlete performance to fall significantly. The research, carried out by scientists at the University of California, showed energy expenditure during submaximal exercise decreased 3.9 percent; maximal aerobic power decreased 2.9 percent and time to exhaustion decreased by 10.7 percent (37 seconds). Submaximal heart rate decreased after sleep restriction, as well as peak heart rate and Psychomotor Vigilance Test response speed.
Advertisement
“Our study is unique since we examined the relationship between sleep, physical performance, cognitive functioning, and physiology simultaneously,” said lead investigator, Cheri Mah, MS. “Future studies are needed to better understand the physiologic responses to sleep restriction, and conversely sleep extension, to understand the dose response of sleep interventions on performance and health.”
The study involved 12 healthy elite male cyclists who either had restricted sleep to 4 hours for three days or extended sleep to 10 hours for two weeks. Cyclists completed a baseline week of habitual sleep and a 2-week washout period in between interventions. Outcome measures pre and post intervention included: a 20-minute submaximal test, a 1-minute incremental maximal exercise test, and a maximal time to exhaustion test on a bicycle ergometer and metabolic collection system as well as the Psychomotor Vigilance Test.
Advertisement
Related
Six ways to sleep like an athlete
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Starting sports at an early age does not necessarily provide athletes with an advantage, and practice levels accounts for just 1% of the difference in elite athlete performances, new research from Case Western Reserve University has found
Advertisement
“While practice is necessary for elite athletes to reach a high level of competition, after a certain point, the amount of practice essentially stops differentiating who makes it far and who makes it to the very top,” said lead author Brooke Macnamara, assistant professor of psychological sciences at Case Western Reserve University.
“Human performance is incredibly complex,” she said. “Multiple factors need to be considered, only one of which is practice.”
According to the study practice explains about 18% of why some athletes perform better or worse than others, with 82% of this difference attributed to factors other than practice.
The findings counter the notion that anyone can become an expert or elite athlete with 10,000 hours of practice, a theory inspired by research from Florida State University professor Anders Ericsson in the early 1990s and popularized in the mainstream since.
“The concept of 10,000 hours taps into the American ideal of hard work and dedication leading naturally to excellence,” said Macnamara. “But it does not account for the inherent differences across people and across sports.”
And despite some research suggesting starting young gives an athlete more time to build skills critical to attaining high performance levels, this study contradicts this.
Higher-skill athletes start at about the same age as less-skilled athletes – or even began a little later – according to Macnamara’s research. In fact, athletes may benefit from waiting to specialise in one sport: A more physically mature athlete can accomplish the fundamentals of an activity more easily, with a lower risk of injury from overuse.
Factors other than practice believed to influence athletic performance include genetic attributes, such as fast-twitch muscles and maximum blood oxygenation level; cognitive and psychological traits and behaviours — including confidence, performance anxiety, intelligence and working memory capacity
Advertisement
“As we look at multiple factors, I don’t think we’ll ever be able to — with 100% certainty — predict someone’s performance in any activity, not just sports,” Macnamara said. “But we can do better than we’re doing now.”
Attitude splits elite athletes from the ‘almosts’
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
The 500 competitors will take on one of the most physically and mentally demanding running races of the year. The course, which Red Bull promises tests the limits of human endurance, will follow a difficult and treacherous route across 22,8 miles of the National Park.
Advertisement
And the participants will have to be tactical if they want to be in with a chance of winning as there are four steeples to reach, and if they fall into the slowest third at the first three they will be eliminated. Only 40 runners will reach the final steeple in Lynmouth (Steeplechasing )
At the first knockout, Trentishoe, 160 male runners and 160 female runners will make it through to the next stage. At the second knockout, Martinhoe, 90 male runners and 90 female runners will make it through and after the third knockout, Lynton, only 20 runners will remain from each category.
Advertisement
The name steeplechasing derives from early horse races when riders raced from church steeple to church steeple, jumping fences and ditches and crossing many intervening obstacles on the way.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Registration for the event opens 5 July, pre-register your interest here
The Leeds event will be held on the weekend of June 10-11 2017, again hosted as a partnership between Leeds City Council, UK Sport, the ITU and the organising team of British Triathlon and IRONMAN.
Advertisement
It is reported in excess of 80,000 people lined the route of the elite races from Roundhay Park to Leeds city centre, where Gwen Jorgensen and Ali Brownlee triumphed in grandstand finished on Millenium Square.
However despite the elite races being a success, there were organisational issues for the 6,000 people taking part in the mass-participation triathlon events across the weekend, which left many stranded in the city centre for hours without their belongings.
World Triathlon Leeds: organisational issues blight age-group event
British Triathlon have released a statement apologising for the chaos saying: “We are sorry for the anxiety, frustration and inconvenience that was caused. The organising team of British Triathlon and IRONMAN want to address the problems from last weekend and get them right for future events.”
The Leeds event in 2017 is race four in an eight-leg ITU World Triathlon Series (further events may be added), following on from Abu Dhabi, Gold Coast and Yokohama. After Leeds the series moves on to Hamburg, Edmonton and Stockholm before the Grand Final in Rotterdam in September.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Jack Buckner, Chief Executive of British Triathlon, said: “To be able to put triathlon into the heart of a major city, right in front of people on the streets and on live television is really important in terms of the profile of our sport, and I¹m delighted that the ITU World Triathlon Series will be back in Leeds in 2017.”
Advertisement
To see more responses to the organisational chaos at WTS Leeds from 220 readers, head over to our forum discussion – and don’t forget to leave your thoughts on this latest update in the comments!