The final day of the Glasgow 2018 triathlon at Strathclyde Park featured 615 British Age Group racers and the elite Mixed Relay. The combined sport format of the Championships has been a huge success, with the Age Group team rising to the occasion with 67 medals, and world champions, France, putting on another classy Mixed Relay performance to win gold.
Britain’s elite mixed relay almost didn’t start due to injuries and technicalities. Marc Austin was unable to take part after a heavy crash during the bike leg of the individual race on Friday. The back injuries he sustained will rule him out of the rest of the season. Barclay Izzard, also underwent a medical exam to confirm that he needed to rest a foot injury after his brilliant top ten finish.
Iestyn Harrett and Gordon Benson were drafted in to join Beth Potter and India Lee, gaining the opportunity to experience a championship event in front of a British crowd. However, they were up against strong teams including France and Switzerland, who had individual champion, Nicola Spirig firing up their young team.
France overcame Switzerland during the final run to lift the European title and Belgium won bronze. Great Britain finished 12th. After a fast opening leg, the team were off the pace and unable to catch.
Potter said: “When gaps open, they open so quickly, and we just couldn’t cover it.”
Harrett, who raced the final leg for Great Britain was grateful for the opportunity and the support: “It was really nice to race for Britain today, to step up and race in front of a home crowd.”
Glasgow ETU Triathlon European Championships; Mixed Relay; Swim 300m, Bike 5.9km, Run Legs A, B and C 1500m, Leg D 1620m:
1. France, 1:15:07
2. Switzerland, 1:15:18
3. Belgium, 1:15:29
12. Great Britain, 1:17:26
Age Group Sprint Triathlon; 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run:
22 Gold
24 Silver
21 Bronze
Full list of medal winners here.
