A look back at North Wests Achievements in the 2014 IRC

2014 IRC Race day report

Hi All

Friday August 22nd saw our defence of the Inter Regional Championship title. The team gathered on Thursday to travel to Holme Pierrepont at the Manor Hotel Pimbo who had laid on tea, coffee and cake to see the team off  .On arrival at Holme Pierrepont we had a bike recce and swim familiarisation and a short run. Team spirit was building throughout the day with Anna Hulme (now in the Youth category) providing the team flag as usual. This year we gave the option for the team reserves to travel with us, with their parents, so they could sample what the IRC'S are all about. This also provided extra support to the team.

After the bike recce and swim we travelled onto our hotel for some rest and welcomed food. We then had our team meeting and then to bed to rest for the activity's for the following day.  

Race Day

It was an early start for all as transition opened at 8.30. We arrived early to set up the bikes and to get the kit ready. The team were very relaxed and calm. The first race off from the pontoon was the T2 boy's.  Louis Johnston was 1st home for the NW in 7th place with a time of 21 minutes 27 seconds closely followed by Charlie Harding in 14th in a time of 21 minutes.51 seconds and Soloman Johl in 28th with a time of 23minutes 16 seconds. Within 5 minutes of the boys starting it was time for the T2 girls. The atmosphere was electrifying with lots of cheering from the side lines.

Every Year see's a sprint finish for the NW and this year was no exception. It was Lydia Louise Shenton with Harriet King both NW athletes and Bethan Nitsch from the North East region. I could see from 100m out it was going to be close. Both our athletes give their all and were rewarded by out sprinting the athlete from the North East to the line just by just a split second.  It was an amazing finish with Harriet and Lydia been given the same time of 23 minutes 44 seconds, coming 15th and 16^th. I could not separate them over to you parents - no arguing please as we do have video footage of the race. Larissa Hannam came in 30th with a time of 26 minutes and 1 second. It was a great solid performance by all the NW T2's. The points where already starting to roll in and it should be noted that Charlie, Harriet and Larissa are in the same age group next year. I feel a special mention for Larissa though as she is the youngest ever T2 selected, being only 1 month off still being a T1.

There was a gap to the T3 races of a couple hours. As the T3 boys arrived at the pontoon it was clear to see that the East Midlands where doing well as they had 3 athletes from the T2 girls in the top 5. Matthew Willis, T3 NW. who is the defending champion from last year was favourite and he didn’t disappoint.  Matthew, Daniel Slater (NW) and Marcus Day (NW) all exited the water in the top 8 .Matthew and Dan came back off the bike together in 2nd and 3rd place and it was not long into the run when they moved into 1st and 2nd place. Matthew turned on the afterburners to win with Dan in 2^nd. Both where the only athletes to dip under 22 minutes, with Matthew at 21 minutes 34 seconds and Dan with 21 minutes 59 seconds. Marcus also had a great result as he came in 8th with a time of 22 minutes 31 seconds.

T3 girls where not far behind and it was clear to see that East Midlands where having a great day with another 3 girls in the top 5. The first athlete back for the NW was Blythe Fourie, 9th with a time of 24 minutes 36 seconds, Lauren Cooley was next in 19th with a time of 25 minutes 44 seconds followed by Francesca Brint who was 22nd with a time of 25 minutes 37 seconds. Again it's worth noting that Marcus and Lauren are in the same age group next year which bodes well for the NW in 2015. All the T3's put in solid performances.

By the time the results were announced it was clear we had done well, but this year was not to be as the NW had to settle for 2nd overall with the East Midlands crowned champions so congratulations to them.

I am very pleased with the result and so very very proud of the athletes as they were asked to give 100% and that's what they did. To come 1st and 2nd in 2013 and 2014 respectively is fantastic. It goes to show that what we have in the North West is something special now. All we need to do is push on from here. The hard work has already started.

I would like to finish off the report by saying a big thank you to all the athletes who race in the NW series and all their parents to - the athletes chosen to represent you did you proud.

Andy Rawley

IRC Team Manager   

2014 North West Region IRC Team

The team for the 2014 Inter Regional Championships has now been chosen and I would like to congratulate everyone on making it into the the team to represent the North West at the Inter Regional Championships.This is reward for all the hard work and performances across the 2014 season. For me, as Team manager, it's been the hardest job by far picking the team as the standard is so high this year which is great to see so well done to everyone. Andy Rawley - IRC Team Manager

2014 North West Region IRC Team

T3 Boys

• Daniel Slater
• Matthew WIllis (Team Captain)
• Marcus Dey
• Shea Hannam (reserve)

T3 Girls

• Blythe Fourie
• Lauren Cooley
• Francesca Brint
• Alice Miller (reserve)

T2 Boys

• Louis Johnston
• Solomon Johl
• Charlie Harding
• Elliot Livingston (reserve)

T2 Girls

• Lydia Louise Shenton
• Larissa Hannam
• Harriet King
• Molly Wren (reserve)