Triathlon, The Fastest Growing Sport in the United Kingdom

I have some friends in the UK, Kevin & Lori Rowe - this past weekend, Kevin sent me this race report from Rob Lines.

July 1st 2007 started with a heavy downpour as 280 triathletes descended upon Whitlingham Country Park, Trowse, Norwich for the third edition of the Norwich Triathlon.

A standard distance triathlon, also known as Olympic distance, awaited the competitors comprising a 1500m swim in the Whitlingham Broad starting in three separate waves from 8am at fifteen minute intervals. A quick transition from swim to bike and then out for a 40km undulating course around South Norfolk before returning to transition and a 10k multi-terrain run around Whitlingham Country Park, along the River Yare and a lap of both the large and small Whitlingham Broads.

The rain eased up just as the first wave of swimmers received their race briefing at the Outdoor Centre on the Whitlingham Broad. Competitors we placed into waves according to their age group and it was the Men's age group E (25-29) that led that wave and indeed led the race overall.

Mike Auger of 2XU TFN and Tri-Anglia's Oliver Milk were amongst the first out of the water and onto the bike course. Whilst the rain had subsided there was plenty of standing water on the roads and a strong head wind against them on the undulating first half of the course.

Heavy rain had also washed lots of stone flints onto the road, which proved costly for several riders who had opted to stay with well worn racing slicks. Fortunately the wet conditions provided no major accidents and by the time the last few riders were finishing the bike
section the road surfaces were pretty dry.

Whilst the roads were drying quickly Mike Auger made heavy work of the bike to run transition as he slipped and slid into the bike racking and struggled to rack his bike. Whilst he lost time, he managed to stay ahead of Oliver Milk as he went out onto the run course.

Mike maintained his lead finishing in 2:02:22 (h:m:s) with Oliver Milk, finishing in second position just over a minute behind in 2:03:35. Third overall was another Tri-Anglia member Andrew Walpole in 2:05:37.

In the ladies race it was Rachel Barnes of Cambridge Triathlon Club that took the honours covering the course in a time of 2:26:50 with Tri-Anglia's Rose Waterman in second in 2:30:57 and Emma Thorpe of Newmarket Tri Club third in a time of 2:31:22.

In total 284 competitors entered the race, 235 started and 224 competitors finished with the male to female split being 182 to 42. The fastest swim time was that of Iain Downie of Ipswich Tri Club in 22:29. Fastest bike time was 1:01:45 recorded by Benjamin Mickleburgh. Fastest run was 36:55 posted by Nick Grimmer of Spalding Triathlon Club. Fastest ladies: swim 23:17 by Katie Davis, bike 1:12:12 by Rachel Barnes and run 41:43 by Rachel Barnes. Youngest competitor: 18, Oldest competitor : 65-69 age group.

Triathlon continues to be the fastest growing sport in the UK. Check out the Tri-Anglia triathlon club at www.tri-anglia.co.uk

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