ANDOVER Triathlon Club head coach Dan Mason braved challenging weather conditions to finish in the top 10 per cent at the Weymouth Half Ironman.
The event, known for its grueling course, presented athletes with a 1.2-mile sea swim, a 56-mile undulating cycle, and a 13.1-mile run along the scenic Jurassic Coast.
However, Mother Nature had other plans for the athletes on the South Coast that morning.
The day began with a dramatic display of thunder and lightning at 4am, followed by a relentless downpour that eventually led to the flooding of the transition area.
READ MORE: Andover triathlon club members tackle ultra challenges
Despite the adversity, participants were gearing up for the swim when event organisers made a tough but necessary call to cancel the swim due to an impending electrical storm.
As the rain finally ceased, athletes embarked on the cycling leg of the race, battling strong winds.
Dan, who is also a coach for Total Tri Training, impressively covered 40 miles before encountering another storm. This time, rain came down in torrents and powerful winds challenged racers on their descent back to Weymouth.
But he showed remarkable resilience during the run. The first 10 minutes of the run continued to be a wet affair, but Dan found his rhythm and completed the race in style.
Dan crossed the finish line in an outstanding time of 4:28.45s, placing him in the top 10 per cent of the race among more than 2000 competitors.
Reflecting on the day, Dan said: "It was a great event; just a shame about the weather and the swim being canceled, but definitely the right decision under the circumstances."
SEE ALSO: Enham Summer Fete raises thousands for Enham Trust
Another member of Andover Triathlon Club, Karl Gailer, made his mark on the racing scene last weekend.
Karl, who had previously competed in the London Marathon and the Windermere Ultra Marathon, took on the Winchester Half Marathon.
He completed his fourth appearance in the event with a stellar time of 2:3.48s, just 40 seconds shy of his personal best on the course.
He said: "The hills don't get any easier on this course, but it was great running conditions out there!"
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here