Palatial setting for Tri (From Andover Advertiser)

Palatial setting for Tri

7:44pm Tuesday 16th June 2009

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The beautiful surroundings of Blenheim Palace hosted the prestigious Blenheim Triathlon on the weekend of June 6/7.

The televised sprint distance race was spread out over the two days and attracted more than 3,500 competitors which included a number of professional triathletes hoping to gain valuable points as part of the British Triathlon series.

Peter Dennett was greeted by heavy rain and cold conditions but undeterred he tackled the 750m open water swim well, exiting the lake on 16mins 01 secs to start the technical bike section. The multi lap course was treacherous in places and Dennett, a strong cyclist, took the decision to be cautious, which finally paid off towards the end of the 20km route where he avoided a large crash, which brought the race momentarily to a standstill, to get a time of 41:14secs. After a busy marathon season which has seen him in Rome, Barcelona, Rotterdam and Vienna to name but a few, the 5km run at Blenheim was to prove a faultless task and he was strong throughout with a total race time of 1.31.22 placing 910th overall.

Sunday saw better weather conditions for Kieron Parnell and Tony Ebdon as the rain had subsided. First out of the lake was Ebdon in 15:29 secs followed by Parnell in 15.43. Onto the bike Ebdon exited transition one first with Parnell struggling to get his wetsuit off. Parnell’s troubles were to continue on the bike where he picked up punctures effectively ending his race. Ebdon remained trouble free to complete the bike course in 37.25. The run saw Ebdon finished strongly in 24:11secs to get a total time of 1.22:46secs placing 195th overall. Parnell completed the run to finish in 2.00:52.

The weekend also saw Baz Farquhar take part in the Weymouth middle distance triathlon. The race comprised of a 1,900m sea swim, 56 mile bike course and a 13.1 mile half marathon run. Conditions were good and the seas allowed for a less daunting swim and Baz completed this section in 46:51secs. The bike course took the competitors out of Weymouth on a double out and back loop and Baz made up ground recording 2:55.44 secs which included both transitions. The run was a two lap affair and Baz completed to get a finishing time and a new best of 5:28.11secs placing 169th out of 280 .

Preparations are still well under way as the club host their annual and highly popular sprint distance triathlon on July 19 in the picturesque grounds of Farleigh School.

The event, this year attracting Thomson Reuters as a main sponsor, attracts and encourages triathlon first timers and seasoned triathletes alike and also includes two children’s races. Entries are now open and details can be found on www.andovertriathlon.org.uk

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