Triumphant triathlon in Torbay’s annual championships

Bathed in sunshine, the beautiful English Riviera proved a fitting location for Torbay Tri Club to host their annual Championship race as Julian Smith and Katie Potter claimed top honours in the Sportiva Events Torbay Triathlon.

Racing over the standard distance format, comprising a 1500m sea swim, 40k bike and 10k run, the pair were joined on the podium by Jon Parkinson, Linda Dabbs and Rob Pressling who also took top age group honours.

Full results: Julian Smith 2.16.51, Jon Parkinson 2.19.22, Mark Colombini 2.20.01, Steve Waters 2.23.49, Ian Dabbs 2.29.29, Simon Mills 2.32.41, Katie Potter 2.36.14, Linda Dabbs 2.41.20, Neil Smart 2.51.36, Gavin Priest 3.06.20, Rob Pressling 3.18.50.

In the Sprint distance race, Charles Higginson was first club member home, while fresh from Team GB duty Laraine Gibbins continued her fine form with an age group win. Full results: Charles Higginson 1.12.03, Peter Hayward 1.20.23, Cathy Parkinson 1.25.03, David Hewet 1.32.32, Laraine Gibbins 1.34.39, Sarah Mills 2.06.02.

Returning from injury, Dave Brown put in a speedy performance to win the Supersprint race (41.23), while Gary Brenton also tasted a trip to the top podium with a win in the Aquabike discipline (1.47.36). Going long in the 3k swim event, Andrew Longthorpe led home a trio of club members with a time of 45.10 and was joined by Rebecca Procter 1.09.20 and Sally-Ann Reay 1.21.01 in her longest ever swim.

Crossing the border into Wales and Gary Burman and Tim Watson set their sights on age group GB qualification spots in Cardiff. In a fiercely contested race over the Sprint distance format, Gary and Tim both claimed impressive age group victories to secure their place at the World Champs, with Gary (1.03.55) narrowly edging Tim (1.04.03) across the finish line. Going longer, Paul Whitehead continued his strong race season in the Standard distance race to come home in a great time of 2.24.16

Simon Johnson took on the Derbion Ramathon, one of Derby's biggest and most loved half-marathons. Starting and finishing on Iron Gate, in the shadows of Derby Cathedral, the 13.1-mile route takes in Pride Park Stadium, Alvaston Park and the stunning scenery of Elvaston Castle Country Park. Simon completed the race in a great time of 1.35.29.