Harlech Triathlon, Sunday 11th May 2008

Report by Andy Quicke

Set on the Welsh coastline in the shadows of Snowdonia this was a fantastic setting for a triathlon. Add to that the friendly atmosphere created by both locals and marshals who have come together for the last 7 years to make it happen and the terrific course this event was one that leaves you with a warm Ready Brek glow inside.

The day started with a 400m pool swim in fantastic sunshine, before we hared out into the transition field to mount our bikes.

Now at Harlech this is where the race started to be fun... Upon leaving transition we tackled the steep climb out of the town to pick up the road that more or less followed the coastline for the whole bike leg. The bike was brilliant apart from the intervention of a couple of Sunday drivers who nearly took me out. Due to the staggered nature of the pool swim starts there was no crowding on the bike and there was always someone just in front of you to aim for. At the turnaround point of the course, however, a mechanical failure saw me and my bike take a collision course with a solid slate wall - which left me requiring a new fork, handlebars, front rim and brakes. This was particularly annoying as it was such an enjoyable race.. I wasn't the only one who suffered on the bike as Sonia punctured.

Back in transition Sonia witnessed Chris Brobin mistake his tri-suit for a wetsuit, before being reminded that tri suits do not need peeling off and getting back on track... the wrong way out of transition!

Not to be stopped and no doubt with adrenalin coursing through my veins I set out on the run course. The run follows a track out towards and then along the beach before returning across the dunes and rising up the steep ascent to the imposing Harlech Castle and the finish line (and in my case the St John's Ambulance people). There were a number of great performances from the club, but the common thread amongst us, as we enjoyed our complimentary tea and bacon butties, was a big smile on our faces regardless of what had happened.

Harlech is a "proper" triathlon and is a real highlight on the race calendar run by people for people in an attractive setting on a fantastic course for an affordable price.

Unfortunately there are rumblings afoot that mean that this could be the last Harlech Tri in its current format - to add your voice to the petition against the closure of the pool go to http://harlechtriathlon.users.btopenworld.com.

Man Tri positions:

There were over 16 racing from Man Tri. Special mention goes to Tim Johns who finished in 6th place out of the field of over 300 and Chris Brobin who earned an impressive lump of slate for coming 4th in his age group.

Other club competitors were: Dave Shackley, Paul Schofield, John Murray, Andy Quicke, Judith Wall, Ian Welch, Steven Alcock, Becky Baldwin, Becky Walton, Tony Dickinson, Sonia Harris, Clare Welch and Ruth Hurrel.

Full results are here: http://www.tri247.com/results_5024.html

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