TEESDALE TRIATHLON RETURNS

Entries are now open for the popular Teesdale Sprint Triathlon from Teesdale Leisure Centre, Barnard Castle, on Sunday July 17.

The race quickly reached its limit of 150 competitors when it was revived by Darlington Tri last summer and organisers aim to make it better than ever this year. Electronic timing has been introduced for the first time and every finisher will receive a commemorative, technical T-shirt.

The event starts with a 400m pool swim at the Leisure Centre, followed by a 28k bike through scenic Teesdale. It concludes with a 5k run on a spectator-friendly course next to the Leisure Centre.

This is an ideal race for anyone contemplating their first triathlon, In fact, around a third of last year’s field was new to the sport. Competitors have praised its friendly atmosphere and the great spectator support.

It is hoped to lay on several “try a tri” events for at the Leisure Centre for those who are new to the sport. These sessions will cover all aspects of the race, including transition practice.

This year’s prize structure is also greatly enhanced, with prizes for juniors, seniors and all standard veteran categories.

To enter, log on HERE or download an entry form from the Darlington Tri website HERE.

A message from Lindy Edwards

Has it struck you that while there are groups around that encourage women in the area to start cycling, there’s not much that caters for us when we want to take it a bit more seriously? I’d like to get something started – nothing fancy, probably just a list of email addresses so we can let each other know when we’re going to events and generally give each other some encouragement and support. I’ll also be in the Bridge pub in Newcastle (Here) from 8pm onwards on Monday 11th April, bearing a copy of Cycling Plus so you know who I am! At the very least I can spend the evening enjoying the best training drink known to womankind (gin!!)

If you’re interested you can email me on lindy.r.edwards@googlemail.com

British Triathlon, in conjunction with Tri Northumberland, are looking for between 4-6 willing volunteers to assist with the QE2 Triathlon in Northumberland on the 5^th June. This event is acting as one of the national paratriathlon series races, and as such the event organisers require people to assist with the water exit for athletes racing in the Tri 1 category (handcycle, and racing wheelchair).

Anybody interested will need to be available on the afternoon of Saturday 4^th, where BTF will be providing some training in the lifting technique and then on the morning on the 5^th, for when the race is underway. Anybody interested should contact Jonathon Riall – jonathonriall@britishtriathlon.org , the Paratriathlon national manager, who will be coordinating the training on the Saturday.”

 QE2 Paratriathlon Event

Tri Northumberland are delighted to announce that QE2 Sprint Triathlon has also been selected as part of the British Triathlon “British Paratriathlon Series 2011″. The event follows the same course as the Sprint event and will be run as the final wave making for an exciting finish around the lake.

For more information about the series, please visit BTF page here and all athletes must be classified within one of the six paratriathlon classifications, more information can be found here and there is a classification day flyer in the attachment section at foot of page. Should you require a classification for Triathlon please contact Jonathon Riall, the British Paratriathlon Manager, and for information of venues and dates of future classification opportunities. Please enter the Paratriathlon race via the following link

A message from Charlotte Ellis…

“I am looking for female guides who can guide me in any of the following:

• British Paratriathlon Championships 14th May in Nottingham;
• QE2 Triathlon, Northumberland 5th June (paratriathlon ranking event);
• European Paratriathlon Championships in Spain 25th June;
• Hyde Park Paratriathlon World Cup and British ranking event 6th August;
• World Paratriathlon championships 10th & 11th September in Beijing.

Travel and accommodation costs as well as entry fees will be covered and there is support for my guide’s coaching costs from the paratri squad for the guide for the world championships. I am also looking for guides for three training weekends in Loughborough. Please contact me at smilecharlie@hotmail.com if you might be able to help.

Many Thanks Charlotte Ellis”.

There are still a few places available for the Peterlee Sprint Triathlon on 17 April however entries will close this Friday. If you still wish to enter this event, you can do so here…

Tri Northumberland have be introduced 2 more exciting new events this season. There will be a Sprint distance and a Standard distance running within “Couple Challenge” our middle distance event on 24 July 2011. We are currently pulling event information together and entries are open now on the Trihard entry site. See HERE for more information.

The Bay Blast & The Breakwater July 24th 2011:

 The Bay Blast 

Swim 950m – Bike 25k - Run 5k 

A 950m swim in the shallow Bay protected by the breakwater with the Couple Statue “Ebb & Flo” standing guard, followed by a 1 lap 25k bike around the Northumbrian coastal route (Provisional Bike Route) then a 5k run or `blast` up and around the promande and footpaths of the bay.

Sunday 24th July 2011 – Newbiggin by the Sea

Event details are here

ENTER HERE via TriHard

The Breakwater Tri 

Swim 950m – Bike 42k - Run 10k

A 950m swim in the shallow bay protected by the breakwater with the Couple Statue”Ebb & Flo” standing guard. The 1 lap 42km bike will give you some fantastic views along the coastal route (Provisional Bike Route). The 10k run will be up and around the promanade and footpaths of the bay.

Sunday 24th July 2011 – Newbiggin by the Sea

Event details are here

ENTER HERE via TriHard

There are kids activities and races at the weekend so there’s plenty to do for everyone!

Congratulations to Elliot Gowland of Total Racing Int and Melanie Hayward of Barracuda Tri Club, winners of today’s Stokesley Duathlon. A race report and results can now be seen in the ‘Results’ section of this website.

27/03/2011 – Stokesley Duathlon

5k Run – 30k Bike – 5k Run

The Stokesley Duathlon always provides a fantastic season opener on the North East multisport circuit. And with 400 athletes from around the UK toeing the start line, the 2011 edition of this event would be no different.

In near perfect conditions – the sun was shining with hardly any wind – the stage was set for this seasons curtain raiser. A flat and fast 5k run, followed by a 19 mile bike and another final 5k run awaited the nervous, but eager looking athletes. Credit must go to Trihard, the race organisers, firstly for putting on another good event, but also quickly finding a new bike route after the original course had to be altered due to road works.

As the gun went off, it would be David Thomas of York Tri Club and John Hore of Carlisle Tri Club who were locked in a close battle at the head of the race through the first 5k run in a swift 16.11. They powered on to a 20 second lead over 3^rd placed Paul Brown in 16.31.

The bike would prove to be the deciding factor of the race as it would be interesting to see who would cope best with the new course changes. Total Racing’s Elliot Gowland, 8^th after the first run put in a storming performance and simply rode away from the field, turning a 30 second deficit into a 60 second advantage coming in to T2 (48.51). He would be followed by Ryton’s Phil Addyman in 49.47, with earlier leader Thomas, dropping back to 3^rd in 51.11.

Gowland set off on the final run at a strong pace and it looked difficult to see how his lead would be clawed back. However, both Addyman and Thomas put up a good fight, making a last effort for victory. They both pulled time back however is what enough as Gowland took the win in 1.24.53, just under one minute ahead of the chasers. Thomas moved into 2^nd in 1.25.44 just six seconds clear of Addyman, 3^rd in 1.25.50.

In the women’s race, Melanie Hayward of Barracuda Tri Club, last years winner, set the early pace in a blistering 18.15, already establishing a strong lead over her rivals. Donna Edmondson Booker of Leeds Tri Club entered T1 in 2^nd place in 18.41, followed closely by Alison Boyle of Wakefield Tri Club in 18.42.

 Onto the bike and Hayward was looking to increase her lead further. She did so, clocking the days fastest split in a nifty 53.43, which pushed her lead out to just over three minutes. Karen Poole of Cleveland Tri Club, who was almost 90 seconds down after the first run in 5^th place, battled her way up to 2^nd at the end of the bike in 55.13 as Edmondson-Booker slipped back to 3^rd in 57.39.

Hayward was not content with the lead she had and pushed on again on the final 5k run to increase her lead further (18.37) and take the win in 1.32.04. Poole (20.38) held on to 2^nd place in 1.37.02 as Edmondson-Booker, despite pulling time back (19.38), held 3^rd in 1.37.30.

The Novice race over a 3k run, 20k bike and 3k run, was won by Phil Jack who lead from start finish in 55.35. Eric Henderson finished 2^nd in 56.28 with Andrew Goodwin 3^rd, in 58.23. The first woman was Lizzie Spencer of Leeds Tri Club in 1.00.17, with Melanie Martin 2^nd in 1.03.23 and Emma Robinson, 3^rd in 1.04.01.

Provisional Results can be seen here… (or here)

Photographs can be seen here…

Results: (Abbreviated)

Overall: (Men):

1. Elliot Gowland – Total Racing Int – 1.24.53
2. David Thomas – York Triathlon Club – 1.25.44
3. Philip Addyman – Ryton Club – 1.25.50

Overall: (Women)

1. Melanie Hayward – Barracuda Tri Club – 1.32.04
2. Karen Poole – Cleveland Tri Club – 1.37.02
3. Donna Edmondson-Booker – Leeds Tri Club – 1.37..30

Category Winners: (Men)

Junior – Ross Landon – 1.29.46

Senior – David Thomas – York Tri Club – 1.25.44

Vet 40 – Elliot Gowland – Total Racing Int – 1.24.53

Vet 50 – Graham Bradshaw – Durham Tri Club – 1.32.21

Vintage – John Booth – 1.40.14

Relay – Godleys Cycles – 1.19.46

Category Winners: (Women)

Junior – Kyah Hall – Ryton Tri – Club – 1.55.37

Senior – Karen Poole – Cleveland Tri Club – 1.37.02

Vet 40 – Melanie Hayward – Barracuda Tri Club – 1.32.04

Vet 50 – Jenny Holland – Tyne Tri Club – 1.46.27