This weekend Jim McConnel and Claire Hitchings claimed overall victory at Hole Park, finishing as quickest male and female of the day at the Triathlon England National Cross Duathlon Championships.
The rain may have been ever-present, but that didn’t stop Jim topping the M40-44 category with a finishing time of 2:05:07 in the Kent woodland, nearly two minutes clear of second-placed Sam Gardner of Berkshire Tri Squad, finishing in 2:07:03.
Jim said “I am so happy to win the title with the support from my friends and fellow racers in what is my first National Championships.
“The course was really testing today with such high winds, but despite the strong competition it was my day and all the long hours training have paid off."
Manchester Tri’s James Walker clocked 2:11:37 as third fastest of the day and first in the M25-29 race.
Claire’s winning time of 2:48:53 saw her finish as fastest female, picking up the W40-44 title in the process.
The 7Oaks duathlete was delighted with her performance, saying: “I'm absolutely thrilled to win what was a very tough race. I am really pleased with my bike form and am looking forward to September when I am competing in the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in Sardinia."
Karen Hayley was W50-54 champion and finished in second place overall, 10 minutes adrift of Claire in 2:58:18. Third quickest was Barbara Wenner-Grogan with a time of 3:06:05.
For full results, please visit here.
The next Triathlon England National Championships will be Sprint Distance Triathlon at Speedy Beaver on May 17. For more information, visit here.
Triathlon England 2015 National Cross Duathlon Champions:
M25-29 – James Walker, 2:11:37
W25-29 – Kirsty Vogan, 3:17:27
M30-34 – Glen Whittington, 2:24:14
M35-39 – Scott O’Neill, 2:14:16
M40-44 – Jim McConnel, 2:05:07
W40-44 – Claire Hitchings, 2:48:53
M45-49 – Rick Featherston, 2:19:31
W45-49 – Liz Pillans, 3:14:47
M50-54 - Paul Spowage, 2:25:44
W50-54, Karen Haley, 2:58:18
M55-59 - Nicholas Farnell, 2:40:01
M60-64 – Richard Hardy, 3:08:47
M65-69 – Ted Hamilton, 3:07:35
M70-74 – John Brown, 4:40:17
