3 WIGHT TRI ATHLETES ACHIEVE SUB-6-HOUR TIMES IN MIDDLE DISTANCE TRIATHLON

Wight Tri members Mike Kimber, Rob Doorly and Phil Bunn attempted to break the 6-hour mark at the Cotswold Middle Distance Triathlon.

This event consisted of a 1.2 mile open water swim, 56 mile cycle and a 13.1 mile half marathon run to finish. All 3 athletes were making their 1st attempts at the longer distance event.

Despite facing the difficulties of an early start in chilly waters to running in the scorching midday sun, the athletes performed admirably.

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Rob was out of the 1900m swim with a super 36:35 swim, followed by Phil and MIke close together in 40:36 and 40:43.

However, Phil then overtook Rob on the bike with a solid 2:48:59 bike split, with Rob and Mike posting 2:52:56 and 3:01:27 respectively.

They then all posted solid run splits for the half marathon distance of 1:54:55,1:54:14 and 2:05:54.

1st home was Phil in an impressive time of 5hrs 30min 38secs followed shortly after by Rob in 5hrs 32min 30secs with Mike finishing in 5hrs 53min 47 secs.

All 3 beat their 6-hour target.

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LIZ GETS BRONZE IN EUROPEAN AGE GROUP TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS

Liz had qualified for both the standard and sprint triathlon distance triathlons, which were held on consecutive days in the centre of the City of Madrid, with the swim in the Lago de Campo de Caso.

Due to overnight adverse weather, which affected the algae readings in the lake, the first of the events was changed into a duathlon: a 5km run/40km cycle and a 10km run.

Liz started well and entered T1 in 3rd position in her 65-69 age group. However, a bike mechanical failure ruined her chances of a podium place, and she therefore decided to withdraw from the race to save her legs for the sprint event the following day.

Liz entered T1 in 2nd position with a solid 1st run. However, she was caught on the bike by a faster cyclist and – despite making up over a minute on her on the 2nd run – was unable to make up the time she had lost on the bike, finishing 3rd in 1:17:25 for the 1.7km run, 20km cycle and 5km run.

The Isle of Wight triathlete was awarded bronze medal in her age group and an automatic qualification place for the 2024 European Sprint Triathlon.