After competing at the recent Eastbourne Ironman and Half Ironman events, Wight Tri members Dan Morgan, Paul Webb and Craig Wilson took on the 255 Triathlon Relay as a team at the weekend.
This is the world’s longest single-day triathlon, which was organised by TriBourne Multisports Events and took place at the Goodwood Motorsports Circuit. The 255 was made up of a 5km swim, 200km cycle and 50km run – and was certainly not for the faint-hearted.
On the morning of the event the weather gods were not on the athlete’s side, with strong winds and rain continuing for most of the event; just what you don’t need for such an epic distance on all 3 disciplines. However, this did not deter these 3 hardy triathletes.
Paul started off on the 4-lap 5km swim and completed it in 1hr 35 mins 29 secs, 2nd in the 40+ category and 23rd overall from the 66 teams.
Dan had a storming bike leg to post a fantastic time of 5:39:15 for the 52-lap 200km bike route and hopefully wasn’t too dizzy going round and round the 3.5km loop. Dan posted the 10th fastest bike split overall and 1st in their category.
Onto the 50km run, which consisted of 10x 5km loops. Craig started well and was posting good solid 24-28 minute laps, but by 40km he was beginning to feel the effects of the day. As true teammates do, Dan and Paul stepped in and completed the last 2 laps for the team to finish the 50km run in 5:16:39.
With an overall time of 12hours 36mins and 24secs, they were 5th in the 40+ category and the 36th team overall.
