Adam Bowden and Sophie Alden are crowned 2018 British Elite Triathlon Champions

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Great conditions and close racing at the Cardiff Triathlon

Now based in Wales, Adam Bowden added another British Elite Triathlon Championship to his C.V. on Sunday in Cardiff, having previously won the title two years ago at Tri Liverpool.

Despite his racing focus this year having been primarily over the Middle Distance non-drafting format, the long-time British Elite team member and regular on the World Triathlon Series circuit showed he still has the speed and talent to compete over the Sprint Distance. His renowned running speed carried him home to a second consecutive Cardiff Triathlon win, closing out his race with a swift 14:22 for the 5km run.

Starting at 10:30 a.m., and with the added benefit of live streaming of the event, the opening 750m swim was a key factor in the race and allowed a group of six athletes - Marcus Dey, Fergus Roberts, James Teagle, Iestyn Harrett, Nathan Tweedie plus Bowden – to form an early breakaway that would reach the second transition with a lead of more than half a minute. James Teagle set the early pace on the run, but Bowden soon showed his experience and class, smoothly moving to the front to complete an impressive victory. Teagle held on for Silver, with Fergus Roberts completing the podium to take the Bronze, five seconds later.

For the Elite women, the early stages of the race suggested that the opening 750m swim would also be a key factor. Grace Kennell and Sophie Alden powered through the water to build a 21 second lead over a large chasing group, from which Alden was soon solo at the front of the race, as Kennell fell back into the main chase group.

Despite her efforts, Alden could not hold her chasers off on her own, but clearly had more than one plan for the race. Having been caught, she regrouped within the pack and then as 12 athletes approached transition together, she made sure that she was quickest into the running shoes and headed out onto the 5km run with Kate Waugh on her shoulder. That pairing pulled away at the front of the race and on the second of two run laps, it was Alden that proved the strongest and could enjoy her moment on the finish straight to become British Elite Triathlon Champion for the first time.

2017 World Junior Triathlon Silver medallist Waugh held strong for second, with reigning European Aquathlon Champion, Hannah Kitchen completing the podium.

British Elite Triathlon Championships Cardiff Triathlon – Sunday 24th June 2018

750m / 20km / 5km (Draft Legal)

ELITE MEN

1st – Adam Bowden – 55:28

2nd – James Teagle – 55:51

3rd – Fergus Roberts – 55:56

4th – Iestyn Harrett – 56:09

5th – Morgan Davies – 56:14, 6th – Jimmy Kershaw – 57:02, 7th – Marcus Dey – 57:04, 8th – Nathan Tweedie – 57:08, 9th – Luke Pollard – 57:10, 10th – Chris Silver – 57:14

ELITE WOMEN

1st – Sophie Alden – 1:02:22

2nd – Kate Waugh – 1:02:34

3rd – Hannah Kitchen – 1:02:49

4th – Jenny Manners – 1:02:59

5th – Fenella Langridge – 1:03:09, 6th – Emily Alderson – 1:03:21, 7th – Iona Miller – 1:03:27, 8th – Zoe Thomas – 1:03:54, 9th – Megan McDonald – 1:04:03, 10th – Bronwen Owen – 1:04:19

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