Sunny skies and calm sea conditions once again greeted over 300 athletes who took part in the ninth TriExercise Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon in Broad Haven on Saturday.
Competitors either took on the 1.5k swim, 43k bike, 10.6k run challenge single-handedly or formed a relay team for this iconic event in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
The event saw some superb performances, none more so than from winner Ross Simpson (Urban Cyclery), who tamed the event in 2:15:56. Equally outstanding was the performance by the female winner, Jessica Parry-Williams (Cardiff Tri), who crossed the line in 2:27:22, lowering the women's course record by nearly four minutes in the process.
The men's veteran's title went to David Murray (Pencoed Tri) for the second year running in 2:26:02, knocking 35 seconds off last year's time and sixth place overall. The women's veteran title went to Anna Bartlett (Shrewsbury Tri) in 2:37:53. First super-veteran male was Gerwyn Davies (Rhondda Tri) in a very swift 2:33:07, with the female super-veteran honours going to Catherine Etchell (Brecon Tri) in 2:57:56, and the first vintage veteran was Paul Bennett in 3:05:35.
The hotly contested club prize, sponsored by Eddie Thomas Garage, was won by Cardiff Tri (Samuel Webster, Patrick Lees and Jessica Parry-Williams), who wrestled the title from host club Pembrokeshire Tri. In the relay category, the honours went to local hero Oliver Simon (three times previous individual winner) racing in a relay team, U Got Frogged, with Tonia Clarkson (Five Frogs) in a time of 2:22:22. The fastest corporate relay team was won by FBM in 2:31:58, winning a prize donated by Newgale YMCA.
Mike Griffiths once again completed the event dressed as Batman, and collected £192.88 for event charity Wales Air Ambulance as he went around the course and the post-event presentation. Further funds were raised for this worthy charity by the raffle of a week's holiday kindly donated by Timber Hill.
The local community really got behind the event, including The Ocean who provided the event registration and food for the volunteers. In addition to the sponsors mentioned already, the event had great support from Harcourt Colourprint (who also entered a relay teams), Rockpool Design, Broad Haven YHA, Drew Buckley Photography, St. Bride's Bay Clothing, Day's Hire and Physiofit West Wales. Physiofit raised £153.59 from post-race massages for weary limbs.
Members of Pembrokeshire Paddlers provided safety cover for the swim alongside David Perry and Bob Hannaford in a RIB, with further support from the RNLI inshore lifeboat and beach lifeguards.
The event organisers were delighted with the support provided by Pembrokeshire County Council, who provided support from several services including highways and Pembrokeshire Leisure, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by allowing use of their car park for the event. Amongst the 80-plus volunteers on the day, several were from Valero's Community Volunteers and event charity Wales Air Ambulance.
Planning for the 2014 event is already underway, with the date set for Saturday, June 28, and plans are afoot to celebrate the 20th birthday event in style.
Full results can be found on the Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club web-site http://www.pembrokeshire-tri.org.uk">www.pembrokeshire-tri.org.uk, along with details of the club's final event of 2013, the Pembrokeshire Half Marathon and 10k in Dale on September 29. Photographs from the event can be found at http://www.drewbuckleyphotography.com">www.drewbuckleyphotography.com.
Results
1500m Swim, 43km Bike, 10.6km Run.
Overall Men: 1. Ross Simpson, Urban Cyclery 2:15:56; 2. Samuel Webster, Cardiff Tri 2:20:27; 3. Luke Watson, TriExercise/Pembrokeshire Tri 2:23:35.
Overall Women: 1. Jessica Parry-Williams, Cardiff Tri 2:27:22; 2. Bethan Hughes, Tri Camp Race Team 2:36:42; 3. Anna Bartlett, Shrewsbury Tri 2:37:53.
Junior Men (17-19): 1. Jonathan Morris 2:49:46.
Veteran Men (40 plus): 1. David Murray, Pencoed Tri 2:26:02; 2. Scott Patrick, Pembrokeshire Tri 2:30:03; 3. Michael Pfeiffer, Brecon Tri 2:32:23.
Veteran Women (40 plus): 1. Anna Bartlett, Shrewsbury Tri 2:37:53; 2. Sian Williams, Pembrokeshire Tri/CDTT 2:50:19; 3. Jayne Arnold, Celtic Tri 2:50:27.
Super Veteran Men (50 plus): 1. Gerwyn Davies, Rhondda Tri 2:33:07.
Super Veteran Women (50 plus): 1. Catherine Etchell, Brecon Tri 2:57:56.
Vintage Veteran Men (60 plus): 1. Paul Bennett 3:05:35.
Relay Teams: 1. U Got Frogged 2:22:22; 2. FBM 2:31:58; 3. Tom & Dick 2:33:39.