Taunton Triathletes Beat The Bad Weather!
Despite the adverse conditions over 350 athletes showed their grit and determination as they battled it out in the 12th Taunton Deane Foot Anstey Triathlon on Sunday.
With heavy rain and strong winds affecting the course for most of the day, the times recorded by the athletes were still outstanding. Using a new electronic race timing system for the first time, the split results for each element of the triathlon were updated and displayed instantaneously as competitors passed through each transition and crossed the finish line. This lead to an atmosphere of tension and excitement throughout the day amongst the athletes and their supporters.
Only the final positions in each distance and age category were unknown until the prize giving at the end of the day when Andrew Hannam of Taunton law firm Foot Anstey, sponsors of the event, presented the prizes.
Overall winner of the event, Edward Hawkins, took the title in a time of 01:01:53 whilst Holly Lawrence was the fastest female in a time of 01:07:32.
For the third year in succession, the event was sponsored by Foot Anstey Solicitors and supported by the Somerset County Gazette. The event is organised by local triathlon club, Somerset RC Tri and Tone Leisure.
Andrew Hannam, partner at Foot Anstey said “Despite the weather being the worst in the race’s 12 year history, over 350 competitors turned out along with their supporters. Combined with the cheerfulness of our volunteer marshalls, a great day was had all round. It is rewarding to be able to support this growing sport; it’s certainly exciting to watch both experienced athletes and ‘first timers’ competing on the same demanding course. We offer our congratulations to all those involved on the day – not merely for just putting up with such gruelling conditions!”
The sport of Triathlon is now the UK’s fastest growing sport and this increasingly popular event was sold out just five days after it was launched in January of this year. Athletes wishing to register their interest in the 2010 race should visit the Foot Anstey website: www.footanstey.com/events
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS
The sprint event is for experienced athletes whilst the novice event is open to anyone new to the sport or who has taken part in less than three triathlons in the past. Both events have male and female categories in various age groups from Junior (16 -20) right through to Vintage Veteran (60+). The novice race comprises a 200m swim, a 13.6k bike section and a 2.5k run. The sprint race is over a 400m swim, 23k bike and 5k run course.
The triathletes use the Wellington Sports Centre swimming pool for the swim element before taking to the quiet roads for the bike element towards Milverton and Wiveliscombe and then a mixture of footpaths and quiet lanes for the run.
For the full results and more information about the event please visit the event website at www.tauntondeanetri.co.uk
Published 18/05/2009
