Eights schools will be taking part on 8 July by inviting 400 kids aged 8-11 to the roadshow, described as a pilot for what could become a national scheme that aims to combine cross curriculum activity and foster wider access to sport. More information on the ‘TriKnights’ project here.

Alison Saunders, Head teacher at St Lawrence primary school (Stone Street) which will be taking part in the day, said: “This is a unique and exciting opportunity for the children to be exposed to a contemporary and popular sport. 

“It is our role to expose children to changing trends in learning and sport and help motivate them to lead a healthy lifestyle. Triathlon broken down is swimming, cycling and running so naturally part of a child’s life, and we hope to use this fun platform as a creative way of delivering the curriculum and benefiting the children.”

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The day will see the children’s time split between cultural education and sport. The triathlon section will encompass a lake swim, cycle around the lake and run through the grounds pre-empted and supported by triathlon coaches who have been involved in the Olympic Games (www.thetrilife.co.uk).   

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For more information contact Yvonne Turner at [email protected].

The morning’s racing started with glorious sunshine at St Mary’s Sports Centre in Calne, Wiltshire; unfortunately this proved to be the calm before the storm as 639 competitors took on the variable weather conditions from stormy to pure sunshine. 

The triathletes who started early managed to escape the worst of the weather with only a few minor puddles to avoid. The triathletes who started later were not as lucky.

Proceedings were brought to a halt when the main thunderstorm hit and race officials made the decision to suspend the racing for 10 minutes. “The flashes of lighting and stair rod rain made the decision easy to stop the race for safety reasons until the storm had passed,” said race director Aaron Ward.

After a short break the racing was back underway as the triathletes took on the 750m pool based swim, 25km bike and 5km run. The weather improved as the elite triathletes took to the course but the road conditions being greasy made for fearless bike handling skills as the elites gambled on the wet and dry sections of the course setting them up for a fast flat 5km run.

As the racing came to a close, Samuel Wade of Cardiff Metropolitan Uni was the quickest across the line in a time of 01:05:18, nearly a minute ahead of Richard Horton 01:06:14 and Chris Perham 01:06:17, both of Loughborough Uni.

It proved to be a clean sweep for Cardiff Metropolitan Uni when Zoe Thomas took the women’s BUCS title in 01:11:43.  In second place was Sophie Coldwell a Loughborough student in the world class performance squad at Loughborough with an overall time of 01:12:32 who lost time on the bike section to Zoe Thomas. 

In third position was Chloe Cook from Leeds Beckett Uni (Carnegie) who had the fastest run split of the day in 18:23 and an overall time of 01:12:47. The fastest female swim split on the day was Kimberley Bell in 09:08. A triathlete to watch out for in the future from Birmingham Uni was Floren Scrafton with an overall position of 12th but with the third fastest female run split of the day with 18:49.

For full results head here.

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Lewis, who is a single leg amputee, had arguably the best race of his career in the PT2 classification (definitions below). Competing in a highly competitive event, he was beaten by the reigning world and European champion, Vasily Egorov (RUS) and Italy’s former world and European champion, Michele Ferrarin.

Reid won bronze in the PT5 classification for visually impaired athletes. She and her guide, Mel King, finished third behind local favourite, Susana Rodriguez (ESP) and Joleen Hakker (NED).

Joe Townsend faced a tough field in the PT1 event, including multiple champions, Jetze Plat (NED) and Bill Chaffey (AUS). Returning from shoulder surgery earlier, Townsend was characteristically tough on the challenging course.

James Smith finished sixth in the PT3 event to round off the British results.

The British squad was smaller than it might have been due to next weekend’s British Paratriathlon Championships in Llanelli. The results of the South Wales event will decide selections for 2015 major championship events, including the World and European Championships.

Madrid marked the third of ten rounds of the ITU World Paratriathlon Event series. The rounds offer ranking points that help secure starting slots at major Championship events.

Paratriathlon sport class definitions:

PT1 – Wheelchair users. Athletes use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment. 

PT2 – Athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athethosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

PT3 – As above with less severe impairment.

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PT5 – total or partial visual impairment competes with a guide.

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(Image: British Triathlon / James Mitchell)

Team manager Chris McCormack says, “We tried to keep it a surprise to the end, but there’s no one else who could be a perfect fit on a team of superstars. He’s the current Ironman World Champion, two times Ironman 70.3 World Champion, Ironman Europe Champion, and the most lethal bike rider in the history of the sport.”

Kienle believes the Bahrain Endurance 13 is the strongest triathlon team ever, and wants to take part in making it the most successful as well. He states, “It is an honour to be part of this great group of athletes.

“I believe that the members of the team are great role models for others to start to have a more active lifestyle. I think there is great potential in the Middle East. I like the vision behind the team, and sport can do a lot of good things in the world.”

Kienle joins a team that has racked up great results this weekend to support the official launch. Sam Appleton won the Byron Bay Triathlon, while at Ironman 70.3 Mallorca Daniela Ryf scored an overall win and His Highness Shaikh Nasser finished 13th in his age category; both have qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship to be held in Austria.

At the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Vietnam, James Cunnama and Caroline Steffen stood atop the podium, while Terenzo Bozzone went three-for-three with another podium finish from three consecutive weekends of racing.

The Bahrain Endurance 13 Team

Javier Gomez Noya (ESP)
Sam Appleton (AUS)

Jodie Swallow (GBR)
Brent McMahon (CAN)

Luke Bell (AUS)
Caroline Steffen (SUI)

Joe Gambles (AUS)
Jan Frodeno (GER)

Terenzo Bozzone (NZL)
Daniela Ryf (SUI)

Ben Hoffman (USA)
Sebastian Kienle (GER)

James Cunnama (RSA)

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For further information on the team, visit – www.bahrainendurance13.com

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>>> Rio 2016 test events confirmed for August 2015

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Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee were assured of places in the men’s race by virtue of their international medal winning success, whilst Non Stanford, Helen Jenkins, Vicky Holland and Jodie Stimpson have earned their places on the women’s start list. Last weekend’s ETU European Cup in Antalya saw Mark Buckingham, Adam Bowden and India Lee meet the selection criteria.

British Triathlon Performance Director, Brendan Purcell said: “The test event in Rio is the first of two assessment races this year that offer the opportunity to gain automatic nomination to the British Olympic Association for Rio 2016 selection. Athletes winning a medal in Rio, and at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago will be automatically put forward for selection.

“The emphasis at the test event, therefore, is to take athletes who have demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure, and to perform well on a course profile similar to what we are expecting in Rio. The test event is about individual performances, and the target is to get on the podium.”

The Rio test event will feature both triathlon and Paratriathlon during the weekend, 1-2 August. The races will start on Copacabana Beach.

Great Britain Triathlon Team selections, Rio test event, 1-2 August 2015, 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run:

Tom Bishop
Adam Bowden
Alistair Brownlee
Jonathan Brownlee
Mark Buckingham
Aaron Harris
Vicky Holland

Helen Jenkins
India Lee
Non Stanford
Jodie Stimpson

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>>> Ironman 70.3 Staffs training plan

As a multiple triathlon Champion, Gomez has not only accumulated one of the best records ever achieved in triathlon history but also proved that he is one of the world’s most versatile triathletes holding Championship titles across Olympic and middle distance triathlons.  

As reigning and 4 time ITU World Champion, Ironman 70.3 World Champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist to name just a few, organisers are delighted to be welcoming Javier to Staffordshire for its inaugural race, which will form part of his journey to the 2016 Olympics in Rio. 

Upon confirmation of his entry, Gomez said, “I’m excited to be racing at Staffordshire and am very much hoping to follow on from my success at the 70.3 World Championship. I enjoy non drafting races so am really looking forward to racing a 70.3 distance. Obviously a victory would be fantastic, but my preparation is not specifically for winning this race. It’ll be great to be part of this new event – it also has the added appeal of the weather not being too hot!”

Javier will join a 30-strong Pro field, including Australia’s Joe Gambles who will be returning to his birthplace of Staffordshire, Marko Albert from Estonia and 2014 70.3 UK Champion Will Clarke, who will be competing for the $25,000 prize fund, which is the largest ever prize purse for a 70.3 in the UK.

Gomez will be under starter’s orders amongst 2,700 athletes on Sunday 14 June. Attracting huge local support, this inaugural event has also attracted high profile names such as Gordon Ramsay, Danny Mills, Jonathan Ross and Charlie Webster to its entry list. 

The event which takes places through the four districts and boroughs of Cannock Chase, Lichfield, East Staffordshire and Stafford will consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile cycle and a 13.1 mile run.

Places for individuals sold out in minutes, but entries are still available for athletes either through the event’s official charity partners or as a team relay. 

Kids aged 3-14 can also be part of the action by entering the IRONKIDS run event on Saturday 13th September, the day before the main event. Distances vary from 500 metres to 2km according to age. For further information and entry on this fun focused event, please visit www.ironkids.co.uk 

For more information go to www.ironman.com/staffordshire70.3.

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The announcement comes just three months after the organisation set their 2015 prize purse for the Americas, pledging to pay out across all 15 races, with $50k on offer at full distance triathlons.

The races which will no longer offer prize money to the pros are:

– Challenge Atlantic City Full
– Challenge Quassy Half
– Challenge Pocono Mountains Half
– Challenge Maine Half
– Challenge Cedar Point Full

“While we have of course received messages from disappointed pro athletes, we have also been overwhelmed by messages of support and understanding, expressing frustration at the current state of the North American triathlon market that necessitated these changes,” says Szlufcik on Challenge Family’s Facebook page.

“What we hope will come out of this decision is a strong Challenge Family race series in North America that continues to provide an outstanding athlete experience to all athletes, all ages, ability and gender. Some races will focus on strong quality pro fields, celebrating the pinnacle of our sport. Others will deliver a world-class age group experience.”

Prize money will still be available at a number of Challenge races in the US however, including Challenge Penticton, Challenge St Andrews, Challenge Knoxville, Challenge Williamsburg and Challenge Florida.

All Central and South American races will also offer a pro purse, including Challenge San Gil, Challenge Maceio, Challenge Florianopolis and the newly announced Challenge Puerto Varas.

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With that in mind, we had a quick chat (via email) with the fundraising officer of Birmingham University’s tri club, Tom Powell. 

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Can you tell us a little about the club?

We’re the triathlon club based at Birmingham University and have members with a wide range of experience.

Some have been competing since young ages and have international experience, others have transferred from individual disciplines, as well as a fantastic crop of upcoming talent who are now addicted to this amazing sport!

How many members do you have?

We’ve had consistently around 100 members for the last few years, with the vast majority of these being active members and we always have big numbers in all the training sessions.

We’re lucky enough at Birmingham to have the best University Cross Country team in the UK and we’re constantly inspired by their success and feel we definitely have the potential to match it.

Is there a club A-race?

The main races we target are the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) events of which there’s four events throughout the year. A duathlon, a biathlon, a sprint triathlon and a standard triathlon.

Tabby Rodgers racing at the British University, College and Schools Sprint (BUCS) Sprint Championship

Our women’s team managed to secure a bronze medal in the Duathlon and Biathlon and were narrowly pipped to third place in the BUCS sprint champs last weekend.

We have some fantastic endurance athletes at the club and feel we have a great chance with both individual and team medals in the men’s and women’s categories at the standard tri.

What’s the best thing about Birmingham University Triathlon Club?

The best thing about us is the friendly nature of the club, unlike other sports there aren’t too many big egos in triathlon and it’s very much team orientated.

Elliot Packham acting as guide for blind club member Jack Garner 

On a personal level prior to October I was solely a runner, however following a lengthy hamstring injury I took up triathlon as cross training. I soon fell in love with the sport and have never looked back since!

What I love about the club is the way that I’m able to train with the same group of people and receive quality coaching despite being a good county level runner yet never having previously received a swimming lesson.

The coaches and committee were fantastic at encouraging me through my early sessions and are a credit to the University.

On top of this Jodie Stimpson often trains with us during our early morning swimming session, and provides the team with a great moral boost – it’s definitely needed at that time in the morning.

Most recent victories?

The biggest victory by a club member recently was Rosie Davies who won the European standard distance duathlon championships.

The club currently has 10 UK age-group athletes, and with many more of our members being inspired by Rosie’s example, we are hoping for an additional five over the coming season.

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>>> Chrissie Wellington on prepping for a hilly Ironman

Starting and finishing at Hever Castle in Kent on 12 July, this is a three-lap affair with each lap counted as 60km long and taking in some of the stunning sites of the Weald and Ashdown Forest – an area of outstanding beauty.

The circular route itself will take competitors out of Hever Castle, up through the High Weald of Kent before passing through and over the Ashdown Forest and into the village of Maresfield.

Those familiar with the various bike courses at the Hever Castle Triathlon will know all about the sharp climbs out of the Castle and the longer drags past Hartfield and up into the forest. Gear selection, fitness, pacing and nutrition will all play a big part in successfully completing the challenge.

After a quick tour of the village, competitors retrace their steps to the top of the forest before returning to Hever via the historic and quintessentially English villages of Groombridge, Fordcombe and Penshurst. There is plenty of support for the riders on the course, particularly whenever they pass Hever Castle and see their friends and family. 

Forewarned is forearmed and a recce of the bike course is very much recommended. Despite the fearsome looking course profile, competitors from the 2014 event rated it as one of the best cycle courses they had taken on with many returning for 2015. The event has a few remaining spaces and it is well worth adding this iron-distance race to your calendar this year.

For more information on this year’s race head here. 

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