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Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon 2016

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Course records, PB’s and firsts all conquered at Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon this weekend

The sun shone for the Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon giving 1,300 competitors stunning race conditions by a regal castle with an amazing course. The triathlon festival was hailed a huge success by all and will subsequently expand to a weekend triathlon in 2017 (24/25 June). 

 

The course was typical of what we have come to expect of a Castle Triathlon Series event – a challenging swim, bike and run course but set in a beautiful part of the world with unrivalled athlete support and a great atmosphere. It offered a particularly motivating course for the Olympic and Gauntlet races with spectator cheering areas as they looped on the swim with an Australian exit and looped through the event village on the bike.

 

The Gauntlet

Elliot Smales flew around the course leading on all disciplines and conquered the race with a time of 4:09:12 breaking the course record previously held by Joe Skipper (04:13:09). Smales has raced with the Castle Triathlon Series for some years now, and this was his official half iron distance race, and second win of The Gauntlet (the Irish race became a du-athlon last month due to mist). 

 

Steve Berry came an impressive 5th as he now places two of the five Gauntlets he plans to compete in 2016 under his race belt and prepares for the Bastion (full iron distance at Hever Castle) in two weeks. Amy Jenkins (Hartree Jets Ecosse) took the first place for the female Gauntlet race.  

 

The podium for the Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon Gauntlet race ended: 

1.9km / 96km / 21km. 

 

Position Men Women

1. Elliot Smales (04:09:12) Amy Jenkins (04:53:15)

2. Chris Standidge (04:20:11) Claire Cooke (05:22:15)

3. Phil Murphy (04:33:54) Kirsten Cameron (05:27:59)

 

Olympic distance

The women’s Olympic race saw hot competition between Castle Triathlon regular winner and pro triathlete Catherine Jameson (Pedalcover) and new to the pro scene this year, 22 year old Hannah Drewett from Leeds (Team Jackpot). Hannah Drewett stole the lead out the swim just seconds behind the lead male, Beau Smith (Racepace). Jamseon soon caught up with Drewett and passed her on the bike leg, to be overtaken on the run by Drewett resulting in first place for Drewett, second Jameson and third Emma Deary (Stortford Tri and Yonda Racing Team).

 

The men’s races were just as exciting as a strong elite field took part resulting in a first from Will Cowen, Beau Smith in second and Paul Hawkins (Peaks Performance) taking third.

 

The podium ended: 1.5km / 44km / 10km

Position Men Women

1. Will Cowen (02:04:26) Hannah Drewett (02:15:40)

2. Beau Smith (02:06:57) Catherine Jameson (02:18:05)

3. Paul Hawkins (02:08:35) Emma Deary (02:23:03)

 

Junior tri stars

The afternoon was dampened by the weather, but not by the performances of the 350 8 – 15 year old tri super stars competing in the three distances around the estate. See full results here. 

 

It was a special day for Mali Jones (15 years old) who came second in the 13-15 year age group and now faces her first adult race next year after taking part in the event every year since she was 8 years old. 

 

Bailey was back with another PB

The BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award winner, Bailey Matthews, was back to beat his time again by 15 minutes. He is taking part in all five Castle Triathlon Series events after his legendary performance last year and has since had a PB of 23 minutes at Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon last month and now even more time shaved off. He was cheered on by the crowd as he raced hard and demonstrated how his training and great attitude is taking such great effect.

 

Performances that make a difference

At the heart of the event was family and charity as the national charity partner, NSPCC, hosted a family entertainment zone and welcomed the triathletes raising money for their amazing work. The local charity, the Neuromuscular Centre was instrumental in providing volunteers and the event supports the important work they do to help the cause. 

 

Registration is now open for 2017 for Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June 2017 with a discount of 30% for North West Clubs

 

 

For further information please contact;

 

Yvonne Turner

Castle Triathlon Series

T: 01892 870 681

E: Yvonne@castletriathlonseries.co.uk 

 

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