Amanda Radley after completing the Kona Ironman
This weekend saw the first ever women's only Iroman world championships taking place in Kailua-Kona in Hawaii, the Pinnacle of Ironman events, where all competitors have to achieve a qualifying time to participate.
The distance includes a 2.4mile swim/ 112 mile bike / 26.2 marathon. It begins with the swim in the clear, calm waters of Kailua Bay, followed by a ride along the notorious Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, where dramatic volcanic scenery and ocean views shape the course.
Competitors finish with a marathon through Kona’s rugged terrain, with the island’s elements pushing you to dig deeper than ever before. This legendary course will challenge you in ways only Kona can.
V60 Amanda Radley took her rightful place on the start line after achieving an impressive qualifying time for her age group.
Despite the 80% humidity and 80 degrees temperatures, Amanda had an amazing day, completing the course well under the 17-hour cut off in an impressive time of 15hrs 08mins 53secs.
Team Giles headed to Bath to take on Relish Running’s Bristol & Bath races. V40 Katie Giles took on her first ultra, a 50km out and back effort along the old railway line from Bath to Bristol Temple Meads.
Considering the race miles Katie has done lately, only two weeks ago completing the Berlin marathon, it was a remarkable performance.
Katie was only aiming to finish before the eight-hour cut off, so was thrilled to make it back in 6:53. Determined not to miss out, despite being on childcare duties, SM Matt Giles took on the 25km point to point from Bath to Bristol, pushing their two daughters in a double buggy for a time of 2hrs and 5 minutes.
V60 Laraine Gibbons and V65 Peter Hayward were off competing in the south of France this weekend, in the Challenge Vieux Boucau and it couldn't have went any better. Peter did the middle distance triathlon in a time of 5.28.11, winning the V65 category, and Laraine completed the sprint distance triathlon, winning the V60 in 1.36.35. The swims were in a salt lake, roads were very flat and straight and the run went around the lake.
The first round of the Westward Cross Country League took place at the Newnham Park course in Plymouth, a challenging undulating run through woods with a few river crossings.
Five Torbay Tri Club members took on the challenge with V50 Andrew Longthorpe first back for the club in 36mins 15secs, then V55 Jon Parkinson 36mins 55secs, V40 Dave Brown 37mins 13secs, SM Bradley 'lizardman' Price in his first cross crunch events since he was 11, 37mns 57secs, and Steve Waters 40mins 10secs.
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