Tri Club boasts its very own Powerman - and Ironman

Continuing the previous week of international racing for Torbay Tri, Jon Pressling representing Great Britain headed to the Swiss town of Zofingen for The Powerman. The race comprising of a 10km run, 150km bike segment and then a 30km run is reputed to be the world's toughest duathlon. As the World Championships Long Course Duathlon the heat and alpine environment made a tough race tougher, with only the beautiful views providing a small relief. Jon finished in an incredible 8:51:09 securing 9th place in his age group.

Closer to home, Sportiva events hosted their latest triathlon at Tavistock. This race also formed the Torbay Tri Club standard distance championships and provides athletes the chance to race in the impressive grounds of Mount Kelly School and utilise their 50m swimming pool. The rolling bike course on the edge of Dartmoor provides some challenge before the athletes return for their run along the path that used to host a railway line.
1st Female Laura Wilby 2:11:40, 1st Male Vet 40 Julian Smith 2:09:32, 2nd Male Vet 50 Simon Mills 2:20:03, 3rd Male Vet 50 Andy Chapell 2:20:35, 3rd Female Vet 50 Helen Chapell 2:40:59, 1st Male Vet 60 Frank Reay 2:21:37, David Hewet 2:50:26.
Sprint Distance - 3rd Female Senior 1:23:23 Sarah Luxton, Jon Cowling 1:24:57.

Ironman Wales is arguably one of the biggest events on the UK triathlon calendar and is notorious for its tough course from start to finish. Although a long distance triathlon is only over the course of a day, the time and dedication to get to the start line can never be underestimated. Chris Martin has trained hard for many months and with consistency being the key to his training he lined up for the start on the beach in Tenby. On a warm day in South Wales Chris had a great race and completed the course in 14:39:40 earning the right to call himself an Ironman.

In Cardiff Wendy Urban ran at the Cardiff 10k. A very popular race with over 4,000 runners creates its own challenges with a busy course and a high standard of runners. Wendy Urban had a great run coming 3rd in her age group in 46:36.

Staying in Wales the Tough Runner standard distance triathlon should have started in the waters of Llyn Tegid. However, poor visibility on the water forced the organisers to change the GB Age Group Qualifying race to duathlon format of 2.5km run, 38km bike and finally a 10km run. Representing the club was Steve Donnelly 1:49:43, Pete Hayward 1:57:52 and Loraine Gibbins 2:24:24.

Unfortunately, the Shropshire Triathlon suffered a similar fate with the swim being cancelled and changed to a run due to the emergence of a toxic algae in the days before the event. Lewis Cholerton still had a great race in the middle distance completing the run-bike-run in 4:21 placing him 4th overall and 2nd in his age group. In the sprint category Emma Jefferys came 3rd in her age group and 11th female overall.

After a couple years away the Dart 10k swim was welcomed back to Totnes. With a slightly amended course now finishing at Greenway on the Torbay side of the Dart, the swim remained true to its roots and still familiar to all returning swimmers. The swim is always popular and attracts swimmers from far and wide who wish to take on the marathon swim. Running over Saturday and Sunday the club had members swimming on both days.
Saturday - Becky Langman 2:15:34, Gary Brenton 2:41:47.
Sunday - Nick Cull 2:09:16, Rachel Carter 2:39:40, Rich Humphreys 2:49:45.