Mike’s Bikes Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon

More than 300 triathletes descended on Broad Haven recently for the Mike’s Bikes Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon. 

The event, hosted the Welsh Standard Distance Triathlon Championships for the fourth time in 10 years, also served as Round Two of the Welsh Super Series, and highlights were broadcast with it’s own 30 minute programme on S4C a week later.

The event, organised by Pembrokeshire Tri Club, has become a firm favourite in the Welsh triathlon calendar, having won Welsh Triathlon Event of the Year three times, and in 2015 the British Triathlon Event of the Year.

The racing at the head of the event was fierce, but many athletes completed their first event in Broad Haven, and 24 relay teams ensured there was plenty of fun to be had too.

In the men’s race, top honours went to local boy Alex Matchett, of Pembrokeshire Tri Club. Alex had already won both the Llanelli and Swansea Triathlons so was a hot favourite, and he didn’t disappoint by overhauling another well known Pembrokeshire triathlete in Oliver Simon on the run.

Matchett completed the 1500 metre swim, 43km cycle and 10,600 metre run in 2:09:39 - as Simon (2:12:02) held on to second place, with James Dean (2:16:53) taking third.

In the ladies race, local girl Catherine Marks, also of Pembrokeshire Tri, took third in 2:41:18 following her win in Llanelli - but the clear winner was Katie Greenwood (Cardiff Tri), who clocked 2:36:47, four minutes ahead of runner up Fiona Marks (BAD Tri).

Winners of the overall relay title were Practice What You Preach (Pembrokeshire Tri) in 2:28:29, with the fastest ladies team from Team Cemais (2:56:59).

The winning mixed relay team were from West Coast Tri (2:35:26), and the Bluestone Buoys (2:33:39) took the corporate relay prize.

The 2019 event date has already been set for Saturday, June 8th, and Mike’s Bikes of Haverfordwest will again be the main sponsor.

For more information on the club visit www.pemsbtri.org.uk, and full race results from Broad Haven are available at www.stuweb.co.uk.