Milestone magic for St Annes Triathlon

Some strong winds made the St Annes Triathlon even tougher but it was fitting that this 10th anniversary event should provide a test for the athletes taking part.
Hitting the road in the St Annes TriathlonHitting the road in the St Annes Triathlon
Hitting the road in the St Annes Triathlon

A sellout entry of more than 600 contested this milestone event, including 150 children as athletes of all ages got involved in the three-discipline event, which entails a swim, cycle ride and run in quick succession.

The starts at YMCA pool were staggered throughout the morning and the swimmers immedieately dashed outside afterwards for the bike ride and run, based around the Promenade and nearby country lanes.

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The overall adul winner was George Ravenhall of Hillingdon Triathletes in a combined time of 59:29.

Second was Jonathan Ferguson of Rossendale Tri Club (61:22) and third Graham Ball of Stafford Tri (61:40)

Blackpool Wyre and Fylde’s Caroline Betmead took the first female prize in 69:38 for 34th place overall.

Dawn Hodgkins of Ribby Hall Tri was fourth lady and second vet after Caroline in 75:51 (88th).

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Younger competitors were divided into various age categories and members of Blackpool Aquatics Tri Squad (BATS) took three of the first four places in the girls’ T1 race.

Grace Scott was first home in 20:08 and Isabel Tuck second in 21:53, while Phillipa Barnes came home fourth in 23:35.

Harris Rollaston of Marple Swimming was the fastest boy in this category in 19.37, just one second ahead of BATS’ Ethan Brown.

The T2 category was won by BATS competitors Emma Pomfret (girls’, 25:15) and Luke Rawcliffe (boys’, 25:04).

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BATS also took the top two places in the girls’ T3 category through Poppy Bridge (32:34) and Felicity Barnes (34:35).

Marple Swimming won the boys’ event with James Rollaston in 32:19

William Holmes of Blackpool Wyre and Fylde AC was first male in the youth category in 43:44, with Luke Johnstone of BATS third in 48:16.

Organiser Tim Armit told The Gazette: “All the smiling faces at the end showed what a success the event was.

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“It is incredible to think this is out 10th year, and this year’s was event was on the same date as the first.

“We never thought it would still be going and some who competed 10 years ago did so again.

“What was also great was to see teams from Stafford and Rochdale a well as racers from Kent and Bath all coming to St Annes just for this race.

“Now it’s on to Fleetwood for the final race in the series (on September 10).

“Here’s to the next 10 years hopefully.”

Tim also thanked the Dalmeny Hotel on the Promenade for serving as race headquarters.