Well over 400 competitors took to the field of the latest edition of the East Grinstead Triathlon on Sunday which sold out in record time last January.
First person home overall was previous winner and GB Triathlete Colin Dixon in a time of 1:05:45. Superior swim and run splits gave a comfortable victory over 2nd placed Jim Burdett (SLH Tri Club) 1:07:57. One to watch for the future is Tonbridge Wells’ 23-year old Billy Ziller, who came 3rd overall.
Last year’s second placed lady, Jill Cliff (Deal Tri) 1:16:28, went one better in 2011 to claim first by a single second from Freddie Sumption of Greenwich Tritons. As well as practising swimming, cycling and running triathletes also have to Transition between each sport and such a tight finish shows how important it is to be good at all four disciplines.
The club was one of the first in the country to have an event specifically for novice ladies. This year, a total of 53 ladies completed the try-a-tri, with Susie Grant easily taking top spot in 45:49 from Isobel Clarke and Lucy Harvey. Isabelle Hodge from Hove came 7th after breaking her back last October and Caroline Coxall from Oxted was going to reward herself with beer and cake after finishing 13th.
Membership of the East Grinstead Triathlon Club is going from strength to strength and this year nine debutant club members took to the course, being led home by Roger Taylor in 1:26:48 with Louise Saville (1:36:14) coming top of the ladies.
Local legend and regular entrant Daniel “Don” Cooper met his match this year with four fellow Septuagenarians, including Michael Ormerod of Redhill taking part in his very first triathlon. This age category was won by Les Humphrey of Bromley Veterans.
Other notable local performances were Paul Blackmore from Lingfield who came 12th, Bruce Edwards 45th, Richard Shinn 83rd, Caroline Mayne 209th and Nicola Taylor in her first race who finished 264th.
Making the long trip back to their home town of East Grinstead from Devon and North Wales respectively were Roger Sheridan and Simon Stacey. Simon came a creditable 78th in 1:24:38 and Roger had a storming race winning the 50-59 age group and coming 9th overall.
Perhaps the real spirit of triathlon was captured by the story of Tara Kent. Having punctured after little more than one mile of the cycle, a friendly marshal came to Tara’s aid and contacted the Reverend Nick Lamb of Holy Trinity Church in Forest Row. Without further ado, the Reverend leant Tara his folding bike allowing her to complete the race and raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.
If you feel inspired to take part in a great pastime for overall health and wellbeing, entries for next year’s race are likely to open around December, or you could visit the club at www.egtri.com
newspaper article here
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