Stage 4 of the Welsh Super Series

A mild morning on Saturday 18th of September saw some fantastic racing in Newborough Forest at the Sandman Sprint Triathlon. As part of a wider weekend of racing organised by Always Aim High Events, the sprint triathlon formed stage 4 and the penultimate race of the Welsh Super Series for 2021.

A sea temperature of 16 degrees celsius meant that the swim went ahead as ‘non-wetsuit compulsory’ to the delight of all swimmers. As participants made their way to the swim start there were many faces filled with excitement for the challenge that lay ahead.

8:00am saw the start of the first swim waves with the sun attempting to make its way through the clouds and over the hills. Many spectators also made their way to the beach to watch their athletes take on the swim.

In a time of ten minutes and forty-two seconds, Deri McCluskey was first out of the swim shortly followed by Josh Wallace in a time of eleven minutes forty-six seconds. The middle of the pack came out very close together with Michael Wilson coming out at seventeen minutes forty seconds, Leanne Baxter with a time of seventeen minutes and forty-two seconds and Rhys Lewis with a time of seventeen minutes and forty-six seconds. First female out of the water was Sarah Roberts in a time of twelve minutes eight seconds closely followed by Rhian Roxburgh in a time of twelve minutes and nineteen seconds.

The rise out of transition and onto the bike route saw Deri McCluskey and George Commins come out of T1 within seconds of each other. George managed to get away on the bike finishing the 22.9km route in at just over thirty-six minutes. The women’s battle saw a great performance from Carys Mai Hughes came back on the bike after finishing the swim at position 47 to coming into T2 in position 18. Rhian Roxburgh managed to come out of the bike top in position 12 in a time of just under forty minutes. There was also some exciting racing in the middle of the pack with Ben Ashton, Gewnno Llewelyn, Darren Raines, Owain Hughes and Bob Blackwell completing the bike within one hundredth of each other.

The run saw Dewi McCluskey put up a terrific time of twenty minutes forty-five seconds and David Hill who place sixth overall complete the run in a time of twenty minutes and fifty-four seconds. Tom Graham who placed fourth overall was not far behind him in a time of twenty-one minutes and seven seconds. Over in the women’s race, Carys Mai Hughes posted a time of twenty-two minutes and five seconds, but that wasn’t enough to clutch first place from Rhian Roxburgh who was stronger on the bike and finished the run in a time of twenty four minutes and four seconds. Helen Talbot who was third fastest female also posted a time of twenty-five minutes and place fifth in the women’s competition.

Overall, the race saw Deri McCluskey take first place in a time of one hour twelve followed by George Comins in a time of one hour thirteen and Stephen Rowlands in thirds place with a time of one hour fourteen.

In the women’s competition, Rhian Roxburgh lead in first place in time of one hour eighteen, followed by Carys Mai Hughes in a time of one hour twenty-two minutes and in third place, Julie O’Hagan in a time of one hour twenty six minutes.

Honorable mentions to George Comins (Royal Navy Tri) , Steve Rowlands (Carmarthen TC), Gareth Bowyer (GOG), Ian Imeson, Malcolm Jones (GOG), Megan Leigh (Chorley Athletics & Tri Club), Carys Mai Hughes, Rebecca Comins (Dragon Tri) and Gillian Lawrence (Oswestry Olympians) who all finished top of their categories.

The club competition saw GOG Triathlon in the lead with representation from a 24 athletes, followed by Celtic Tri and Dragon Triathlon Club in 3rd place.

Well done to all who took part and we look forward to seeing you all at the final stage of the Super Series takes place on the 3rd of October at the SWYD Sprint, Barry Island.

For a full set of results from the Sandman sprint, click here.

For an up-to-date Super Series breakdown, click here.