Outdoor Sports News - with PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

TriExercise Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon a huge success

200 competitors either took on the challenge single-handedly or formed a relay team for the iconic TriExercise Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon in Broad Haven on Saturday 2 nd July, an event held in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Oliver’s on top

The sun shone, the sea was like a millpond, and the spectators were in good voice as they saw some superb performances, none more so than from local winner Oliver Simon (Pembrokeshire Tri) who exited the water in second place, but took the lead through T1 and went on to build a victory that stretched to nearly eight minutes by the finish, lowering the record for this tough course to 2:13:18. Having recently secured a top 10 finish at Ironman 70.3 UK, and a win at Tenby’s Long Course Weekend, he surely looks in good form to make the step up to Ironman in his home town of Tenby in September.

Real battles for places

Finishing second overall and a convincing winner in the veteran category was Welsh legend Martin Powell (Rhondda Tri), showing that age shows no signs of slowing him down yet. Rounding out the top three was Samuel Webster (Cardiff Tri). Sam’s club mate Jessica Parry-Williams was an even more convincing winner, taking the female course record and over 15 minutes from second placed Katie Beecher (Les Croupiers Tri). Completing the women’s podium was veteran winner Celia White (Pembrokeshire Tri), showing great potential, having only recently moved to triathlon from running, due to injury.

Pembrokeshire Tri are top club team

The hotly-contested club prize, sponsored by Eddie Thomas Garage, was won again by Pembrokeshire Tri (Oliver Simon, Jonathan Pryke and Scott Patrick). In the relay category, the honours again went to Pembrokeshire with Newgale Surf Lifesaving Club (Jack Pinson, Peter Lloyd and Alaric Whalley) comfortably retaining the title they won in 2009 and 2010, recording the 6 th fastest time overall. The fastest corporate relay team was won by a local team from FBM, winning a prize donated by Newgale YMCA.

‘Batman’ Mike bags the cash

The race was very well supported by local athletes, particularly from Broad Haven, and a number of them collected prizes from main sponsor TriExercise, of Haverfordwest, in their various categories. The local community really got behind the event, including the Ocean Café Bar Restaurant who provided the event HQ and food for the volunteers.

Mike Griffiths, from Swansea, once again completed the event dressed as Batman, and collected money for event charity Wales Air Ambulance as he went around the course. Further funds were raised for this worthy charity by the raffle of a week’s holiday kindly donated by Timber Hill.

Thanks galore

In addition to the sponsors mentioned already, the event had great support from Harcourt Colourprint (who also entered a relay team), Broad Haven YHA, Drew Buckley Photography, K-Swiss, Speedy Hire, St. Bride’s Bay Clothing, Station Self Drive, Haven Sports, Neovite and Physiofit West Wales.

Members of Pembrokeshire Paddlers and Haverfordwest Canoe Club provided safety cover for the swim, and Pembrokeshire Raynet provided radio coverage for the bike and run courses. Neyland Yacht Club very kindly supplied marker buoys for the swim. The event organisers were delighted with the support provided by Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by allowing use of their car parks for the event.

Results

Full results can be found on the Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club web-site www.pembrokeshire-tri.org.uk, along with details of the club’s final event of 2011, the Pembrokeshire Half Marathon and 10k in Dale on 2 nd October. Photographs from the event can be found at www.drewbuckleyphotography.com.

1500m Swim – 43km Bike – 10.6km Run
OVERALL MEN

1 Oliver Simon, Pembrokeshire Tri 2:13.18
2 Martin Powell, Rhondda Tri 2:21:02
3 Samuel Webster, Cardiff Tri 2:22:43

OVERALL WOMEN

1 Jessica Parry-Williams, Cardiff Tri 2:34:57
2 Katie Beecher 2:49:42
3 Celia White, Pembrokeshire Tri 2:51:35

VETERAN MEN

1 Martin Powell, Rhondda Tri 2:21:02
2 Andrew Maclean, Cardiff Tri 2:29:57
3 Gareth Harvey, Trilife 2:33:58

VETERAN WOMEN

1 Celia White, Pembrokeshire Tri 2:51:35
2 Janice Coyle, Cardiff Tri 2:52:51
3 Clare Williams, Pembrokeshire Tri 3:15:04

RELAY TEAMS

1 Newgale Surf Lifesaving Club 2:24:46
2 Hair Bear Pair 2:34:58
3 Sian and the Shambles 2:40:38

Photos

		The swim viewed from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
		Race winner Oliver Simon tackles the challenging bike course.
		Female winner Jessica Parry-Williams in control on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
		Veteran male winner Martin Powell with the stunning St. Bride’s Bay in the background.
		Celia White on her way to the veteran female title.
		Peter Lloyd from the victorious relay team from Newgale Surf Lifesaving Club.
		Mike “Batman” Griffiths completes the race for the 3rd successive year in full fancy dress, raising funds for the Wales Air Ambulance as he goes.