Salisbury next for Tri Club
9:26am Wednesday 7th May 2008
The triathlon race season has now started and several members from Andover Triathlon Club have been in action recently, all eager to see if their winter of training has paid off.
Seven competed in the Winchester Triathlon which comprised of a 400m pool swim, a 20-mile undulating bike course and a five mile run, a mile shorter than advertised. The event is organised by Concept Sport and forms part of their popular Fast Twitch' series.
The weather was reasonably warm but a little windy and many were in their first ever triathlon and should be pleased to get to the end in one piece. The race also marked the launch of the new club kit and it was a welcome sight to see the club developing its identity among other triathlon clubs.
First back for Andover was Rob Mead in 70th position in 1hr.47m28s, just beating Henry Knott in 76th. Paul Wills finished in 1.57.07 in his first ever race, with all three putting in good performances. Next home was Cath Haines in 259th in 2.17.28, followed by Richard Baker in 2.20.55 for 264th position, again in his first ever race. Hannah Williams was 268th with an improved time in 2.23.22, and finally Sarah Thomas in 282nd in 2.31.42, also completing her first ever triathlon.
Seven were also in action two weeks later in the New Forest Triathlon, organised by Race New Forest' and comprised of an 1100m open water lake swim, a 20.5 mile cycle in the northern section of the forest and a six mile multi terrain run.
The weather was kind with near perfect, warm conditions with a gentle breeze, and once on the bike all could forget the cold lake temperature that the swim had thrown at them.
In total there were 306 finishers on the day showing the growing popularity of this race.
Four from Andover finished close together and it was good to see real competition within the club for positions. First home was Henry Knott, who continued his good form from Winchester in 2.4.23, for 51st position, sixth in his age category and also recorded the fastest bike split from the club with 59.48 minutes.
Chris Thompson was 59th in 2.05.38 posting the fastest swim split from Andover in 18.43mins. Next home was Rob Mead in 77th in 2.08.46, with Howell Reed 81st in 2.09.17, recording the fastest run in 41.14 minutes.
Next home was Dave Hall who put in a solid all round performance for 150th and a time of 2.20.23. Dave Upton, competing in his first open water event, followed in 281st in 2.51.23 and Hannah Williams, the club's only female on the day completed the line up in 3.04.59, in 301st place for 14th in her age category.
The next major race in the calendar is the Salisbury Triathlon, which they are using as their club championship sprint event in three week's time.