Now London Triathlon’s been and gone, we’re well past the midway point for the 2015 UK triathlon season – it’s time to start lining up some autumn and winter duathlons.
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The 2015 Human Race Off-Road Series will begin with the WildMan, bringing some testing trail racing to the military range of Ash Ranges near Aldershot, Hampshire on Saturday 21st November. The organisers say it will present a gruelling, undulating course that “does not relent”. Trail runners can choose from 10km or 15km options, with a duathlon (10km run, 18km bike, 5km run) also available.
Next up on Saturday 5 December is IceMan, held at the Army Training Ground in Frimley. The weather is likely to play its part, with it traditionally being treacherous underfoot and very muddy. Those who want to attempt the trail run can choose from 11km and 16km courses, whilst the duathlon will be a 10km run followed by 18km on the bike and a 5km run to finish.
The finale of the 2015/16 Human Race Off-Road Series will be MudMan on Saturday 5 March. The event returns to the Ministry of Defence in Camberley known for its hilly course and 50ft water section. Here you can choose from the duathlon (7.5km run, 15km cycle, 7.5km run) or from the 10km and 15km trail run courses.
Everyone brave enough to take on all three events can sign up for the series at a reduced cost, and will be included on the off-road leaderboard giving them the opportunity to win a trophy and cash prizes. Dogs will again be welcome to join trail runners with a special ‘canicross’ wave for those who love to jog alongside their four legged friends.
A limited number of entries into the Human Race Off-Road Series are now available. Visit www.humanrace.co.uk/off-road to secure a place in any of the three events, or the entire series, at the special early-bird rates.
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Have you started lining up some autumn duathlons? Let us know in the comments below!
The Detroit round of the ITU World Paratriathlon Series takes place this Sunday (16 August), with five Brits heading out to Motor City to win valuable ranking points before the ITU World Championships.
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>>> Britain’s pioneering approach to elite paratriathlon training
Andy Lewis follows on from his medal-winning performance at the Rio Test Event earlier this month by racing this weekend. Former footballer Ryan Taylor joins him in the PT2 event.
George Peasgood and Stefan Hoggan line up in the men’s PT4 event, and Clare Cunningham goes in the women’s PT4. The race will be held over sprint distance (750m swim/20km bike/5km run).
Detroit marks the final World Paratriathlon Series event before the World Championships in Chicago next month (15-19 September). Brits feature highly in the 2015 points race, with Phil Hogg (PT1), Lauren Steadman (PT4) and Alison Patrick (PT5) all leading their respective categories.
Paratriathlon will make its Olympic debut next year in Brazil, with six medal events confirmed for Rio 2016:
Men’s paratriathlon medal events
– PT1 (wheelchair users)
– PT2 (athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement)
– PT4 (as above, with less severe impairment)
Women’s paratriathlon medal events
– PT2 (athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement)
A small group of British paratriathletes had a weekend to remember at the ITU World Paratriathlon Event in Detroit, USA yesterday (17 August), with two golds and two silvers in the bag.
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>>> Three more paratriathlon medal events for Rio
Ryan Taylor won gold in the PT2 category, finishing just over a minute ahead of second-place finisher Andy Lewis (GBR). George Peasgood won silver in the PT4 category, and Stefan Hoggan finished sixth.
good to b back home 4 easy couple of days,great results from all GB athletes always learning from every1 around me at training good weekend
— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTay93) August 17, 2015
On the women’s side, Clare Cunningham picked up gold in the PT4 category – her third ITU medal for 2015, having won the Buffalo City ITU World Paratriathlon event last March and picked up silver in London.
“Happy days!!!” We all raced well here, great success! @BritTri @TriClare @RyanTay93 @Bladerunnerandy @stefanhoggan pic.twitter.com/nUURqTQoZE
— George Peasgood (@george_peasgood) August 16, 2015
Detroit ITU World Paratriathlon Event: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
Men’s PT2
1. Ryan Taylor, GBR, 1:05:32 2. Andrew Lewis, GBR, 1:06:51 3. Lionel Morales, ESP, 1:07:45
Men’s PT4
1. Chris Hammer, USA, 56:58 2. George Peasgood, GBR, 58:10 3. José Abraham Estrada Sierra, MEX, 58:42 6. Stefan Hoggan, GBR, 1:02:01
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Women’s PT4
1. Clare Cunningham, GBR, 1:06:07 2. Grace Norman, USA, 1:07:15 3. Kate Doughty, AUS, 1:08:59
With Kona fast approaching, Britain’s Rachel Joyce picked Ironman 70.3 Timberman in New England, USA to get in some race practice before the ‘big dance’ in Hawaii – and left others in her wake with some speedy splits.
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As expected, Joyce led the women out of lake Winnipesaukee in a time of 27:19mins, with Katy Blakemore (USA) hot on her heels. Behind them, Kaitlin Anelauskas (USA), Jeanni Seymour (RSA), and Kristen Marchant (CAN) exited the water in a pack 1:10mins back.
Pre-race favourite Angela Naeth (CAN) left the water 1:25mins back of the leader in seventh, with Heather Jackson (USA) 2:28mins back at the head of a chase pack.
Super-bikers Naeth and Jackson made their mark early on, and by the half-way point, Naeth had taken the lead of the race just ahead of Joyce, who’s no slouch in any of the three disciplines, and Jackson. Jackson passed Joyce late in the race and entered T2 second.
Disappointed to get my first ever drafting penalty and that it was from a pro male. #fairstarts @triequal
— Rachel Joyce (@RJoyce09) August 16, 2015
Naeth followed up her race-best bike (2:18:26) with a solid run to hold onto first with a winning margin of 4:27mins over Jackson—who had only a slightly slower run—and 8:52mins over Joyce, whose swim and run splits were both the fastest on the day. Naeth’s winning time was 4:16:14.
Recent Ironman Coeur d’Alene winner Andy Potts continued a strong season today with a win in New Hampshire’s classic race. The American was fifth out of the water in a steady stream of athletes spaced out by 10-second intervals behind swim leader Dylan McNeice (NZL). That lead pack also contained short-course specialist Cam Dye (USA), Tim O’Donnell (USA) and Jake Montgomery (AUS).
Once on the bike, Dye – who would go on to clock a race-best bike split of 2:06:06 – powered to the front, with O’Donnell, Montgomery, Potts, and Paul Matthews holding steady behind him. Behind them, somewhat weaker swimmers Leon Griffin (AUS) and Trevor Wurtele (CAN) began to put a dent in.
As the bike progressed, Dye sped away to enter T2 three minutes ahead of the chase pack, which included Potts, O’Donnell, and Montgomery. Two minutes behind them McNeice soloed his way into transition, with Wurtele, Griffin, and Taylor Reid (CAN) two minutes back of McNeice and seven minutes behind the leader.
Happy with the day, executed my plan, just beaten by faster boys! https://t.co/k6J4PYn5SL
— Cameron Dye (@camdyetri) August 16, 2015
With a race-best run of 1:15:30, Potts began to dig into Dye, and ultimately crossed the finish line first in a time of 3:50:24.
(Main image: Ironman)
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Were you racing in New England? Let us know in the comments below!
Get ready for some swearing, Hawaii – it looks like Gordon Ramsay is making a return to Big Island for this year’s Ironman World Champs.
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>>> Gordon Ramsay: The adrenaline ‘never stops’ at Ironman 70.3
The ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ star raced Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens on Saturday (15 August) and posted a sub-6hr time with splits of 42:11mins for the 1.9km swim, 3:06hrs for the bike and 1:51hrs for the run.
Lake Stevens 70.3 IRONMAN….Done ! http://t.co/FQBr2rPMtp
— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) August 16, 2015
Asked by Ironman afterwards if he’s working on anything specific in preparation for Kona, Ramsay said: “I’d say efficient riding and climbing to help with smooth power output.”
He added that at this year’s Kona, he wants to “improve on the bike and improve on the run without any hamstring issues”.
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Ramsay finished Kona 2013 in a time of 14:04:48, but injury woes scuppered his plans to take part last year. More recently, he raced Ironman 703. Staffordshire, finishing in a time of 5:53:49 as part of his GR100 squad.
General entries for next year’s World Triathlon Series event in Leeds went on sale at 9am this morning (Tuesday 18 August) – and they’re going to sell like hotcakes, say the organisers.
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>>> Leeds lands 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series event
Over 1,500 entries have already been sold to Home Nation members during a priority entry window, and more than 3,500 spots are now available to the general public across the beginner, sprint and Olympic distance events.
The event will mark the final chance to see Britain’s elite triathletes compete against their international rivals on home soil before they head off to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The point-to-point course begins with a swim in Roundhay Park, followed by a bike leg in and around Leeds city centre, finishing with a testing run course also in the city centre.
Olympic champ Alistair Brownlee said: “Competing in my home city of Leeds is going to be one of the highlights of next year, not just for me, but for every elite athlete or amateur competitor who comes to Yorkshire next June.”
Entries for the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds can be made via the official event website, and there is early bird pricing until 31st October.
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Will you be entering WTS Leeds? Let us know in the comments below!
Want a new long-distance challenge next year? General entries for The Bastion 2016 went on sale this morning, offering athletes the chance to race around the iconic backdrop of Hever Castle in Kent, with 25% off for those who enter early.
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>>> 2015 Bastion winners crowned at Hever Castle
The Bastion will take place on 10th July 2016 and begins with a 3.8km unique swim at the Italianate loggia in Hever Castle, taking competitors down the length of the main lake before passing the Japanese teahouse and heading into a scenic river section.
The 180km three-loop bike course represents one of the toughest iron-distance routes on offer in the UK, with around 2,800m of ascent covering ‘areas of outstanding beauty’ in the High Weald area of Kent, before passing through Hartfield and over the Ashdown Forest.
The marathon covers a four lap run route mainly an off road trail run, circumnavigating the two stunning estates of Hever Castle and Chiddingstone Castle before an iconic finish in front of the Hever Castle drawbridge that once gave passage to King Henry VIII.
An amazing, unforgettable experience
Athletes are treated to an amazing event village to top off the whole experience, with live bands playing throughout the day, a climbing wall, archery, catering, bike support and more. You’ll cross the finish line in front of Hever Castle with a medal, T-shirt and memories that will last a lifetime.
Last year’s event was won by pro triathletes Darren Jenkins and Bethan Fowler, whilst behind them came hundreds of amateur triathletes with their own stories of courage and endeavour. Amongst them was Anthony Gerundini, who was completing his 100th iron-distance triathlon, whilst many had chosen The Bastion as their first time at attempting what many consider the ‘toughest one-day physical challenge’ in the world – drawn by the amazing athlete support and welcoming atmosphere present at all Castle Triathlon Series races.
In addition to the iron-distance triathlon, the event will also run concurrently a long distance aquabike and open water swim events – providing the ultimate long course supported training experience with all the atmosphere of a major triathlon running at the same time.
Enter here for another amazing Bastion Triathlon at Hever Castle on the 10th July 2015.
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Will you be entering The Bastion next year? Let us know in the comments below!
The new issue of 220 Triathlon magazine went on sale today, and this month we’re all about the future – like our cover star Ben Dijkstra, one of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming triathletes.
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Also in this month’s issue:
Secrets of Ironman success: boost your physical and mental endurance
Smash your A-race: beginners’ training plan, master the 21km run, how to beat fatigue
Brunt vs Isoman: our Weekend Warrior shares his racing woes
Big helmets grouptest: 10 aero lids rated for race day
Orbea Ordu triathlon bike first ride
PLUS wetsuit giveaway: win a Blueseventy kit package worth £780
Martyn Brunt swimming 7 miles for the IsoMan (Image: Ian Cook / Dirty Green Trainers)
Find 220 Triathlon on sale at newsagents across the UK, and the digital edition can be picked up via the iTunes store, Google Play and Zinio.
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Bonus digital content includes: watch cover star Ben Dijkstra win the Youth Olympic Games; view race highlights from this year’s Engadin Swimrun; see eight-year-old Bailey Matthews complete the Castle Howard Triathlon.
With three races left on the 2015 WTS calendar, Stockholm will see some tough points battles this weekend – Spanish trio Javier Gomez, Mario Mola and Fernando Alarza are all racing, and in the women’s race Sarah True and Katie Zaferes (USA) will face stiff competition from Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig.
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This year’s race (map here) will feature a new swim start and two transitions, and this year returns to Olympic distance (1.5km swim/40km bike/10km run) – but the cobblestones will remain. Let’s hope the weather’s better than last year too.
Women’s preview
The peerless Gwen Jorgensen is sitting this one out, meaning compatriots True and Katie Zaferes have the opportunity to score valuable points on Saturday (22nd August) that could narrow their gap in the title race.
All-American women’s podium at WTS Gold Coast 2015
Zaferes has racked up five podium finishes this year and sits just 355 points behind Jorgensen. True has scored two podium finishes this year and rounds out the top-three in the title chase.
There are just two British women racing in Stockholm on Saturday – Jessica Learmonth, who’s enjoying a fine first WTS season having led out of the swim at WTS Auckland, and India Lee who recently won the Windsor Triathlon and came 49th at the Rio 2016 test event.
Other podium threats include fourth-ranked Andrea Hewitt (NZL), who finished second to True at last year’s event, and reigning Olympic champion Nicola Spirig (SUI), who’s raced just one WTS event this year – claiming bronze in Cape Town. Spirig has since earned her spot in Rio with a win at the Baku European Games and the European Championships. Full start list here.
The women’s race will be contested at 12:25pm local time (11:25 UK time) on Saturday 22nd August. UK viewers can watch the action live on BT Sport (£), and online at triathlonlive.tv (£). Highlights are on BBC Two on Sunday 23rd at 5:15pm.
Last year’s uphill transition at WTS Stockholm
Men’s preview
Series points leader Javier Gomez (ESP) is undoubtedly the man to beat on Sunday (23 August) – both Brownlees being absent – but Mola is just 331 points behind his compatriot, and already has four podium finishes to his name this season.
A win in Sweden would put Mola top of the leaderboard if Gomez doesn’t finish in the top two. Fernando Alarza sits third in the series points race, and will push hard for more.
Matthew Sharp is the sole Brit racing – his top results so far this year include ninth at the ETU European Champs in Geneva, and fourth at the Quarteira ETU Triathlon European Cup event.
Both Brownlees are missing Stockholm this year
Australia’s Aaron Royle could be a podium threat and had a superb race at the Rio 2016 test event recently, while fellow Aussie Ryan Bailie is also enjoying a strong run after a career-WTS high fourth-place finish in London.
While Vincent Luis is off the start list in Stockholm, France is emerging as the latest nation to rival the Brits and Spaniards. There will be no shortage of French talent in Stockholm come Sunday in Anthony Pujades, Aurelien Raphael and Simon Viain.
All three men will likely emerge from the wetsuit-required water out front, along with the Russian team and South African Henri Schoeman. Their challenge, of course, will be holding off speedy runners such as Mola, Joao Pereira and Joao Silva. For the complete start list, head here.
The men’s race will be contested at 15:36pm local time (14:36 UK time) on Sunday 23rd August. UK viewers can watch the action live on BBC Two, and online at triathlonlive.tv (£).
(Images: Janos Schmidt / Delly Carr / ITU)
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Who do you think will win WTS Stockholm? Let us know in the comments below!
Like a challenge? Entries for The Legend Triathlon have just opened – a new single-lap iron-distance race around Snowdonia National Park, taking place on Sunday 10 July.
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Billed as the UK’s friendliest, toughest and most beautiful single lap iron distance triathlon, it will start and finish in Llanberis and send athletes through ‘mind-blowing scenery, flawless tarmac and a number of iconic climbs’, according to the organisers.
Those climbs will include Bwlch maesgwm, Pen-y-Pass and the infamous Dinorwig Quarries. The run stage comprises of a full-length mixed terrain marathon set in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, then brings athletes back to Llanberis to finish.
“The interest this event has already had is incredible,” said event manager Rob Samuel. “We had over 750 people pre-register for the event, and with only 500 places up for grabs I fully expect The Legend to quickly become a sell-out event. Therefore, anyone who is thinking of entering I would advise them to do it now before it’s too late!”
For more info and to book your place, head to www.thelegendtriathlon.com.
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Will you be entering The Legend? Let us know in the comments below!