Athletes feel heat (From Western Telegraph)

Athletes feel heat

3:00pm Wednesday 14th July 2010 in

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Crowds of spectators turned out to watch the Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon held in Broad Haven. More than 200 entries were received for the event, and on the day 165 brave souls took to the start line, with the total number of competitors taking part reaching 209 thanks to 24 relay teams.

The event hosted the Welsh Standard Distance Triathlon Championships and saw some fast and furious racing take place at the front of the field. In the men’s race, Pembrokeshire triathletes Oliver Simon, Luke Watson and Jonathan Pryke led after the 1,500m swim, closely followed by Rhys Jones, from Rhondda Tri.

At the end of the 43k bike the race was between Oliver and Rhys.

Rhys beat Oliver to the line by five seconds in a sprint at the end of the 10k run. Luke Watson also had a great run to finish third.

In the women’s category the outcome never seemed in doubt, as Ellie Jones, of Pembrokeshire Tri, led from start to finish, taking the win by more than six minutes and adding the Welsh championship title to the Welsh duathlon championship title she won in May. Both Oliver and Ellie now lead the Welsh Grand Prix Series, which reflects well on the state of triathlon in Pembrokeshire.

Specialist decorators Mark Jones sponsored the team prize, which was won by Pembrokeshire Tri (Oliver Simon, Luke Watson and Jonathan Pryke). In the relay category, the honours again went to Pembrokeshire with Newgale Surf Lifesaving Club (Alex Matchett, Peter Lloyd and Alaric Whalley). They comfortably retained the title they shared in 2009, recording the fourth fastest time overall.

A local team won the fastest corporate relay team, winning a prize donated by Newgale YMCA, from event supporters Haven Sports.

Mike Griffiths, from Swansea, once again completed the event dressed as Batman, and collected money for the Wales Air Ambulance as he went around the course. More than £1,200 was raised on the day through donations and the raffle of a holiday donated by Timber Hill.

Full results can be found on the Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club website at www.pembrokeshire-tri.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon received generous support from main sponsors TriExercise, sponsors Bike Science, Bluestone, Blue Lagoon, Harcourt Litho, Julia Hill Photography, The Ocean Café Bar Restaurant, Rockpool Design, Speedy Hire, St. Bride's Bay Clothing, Station Self Drive, and Timber Hill Self Catering Cedar Lodges, and supporters Cotswold Outdoors, Haven Sports, and Physiofit West Wales.
org.uk, along with details of the club’s final event of 2010, the Pembrokeshire half marathon and 10k in Dale being held on September 26th. Entries for this event close on September 18th.

Results 1500m swim - 43k bike - 10.2k run OVERALL MEN 1, Rhys Jones, Rhondda Tri 2:16:01; 2, Oliver Simon, Pembrokeshire Tri 2:16.06; 3, Luke Watson, Pembrokeshire Tri 2:19:53.

OVERALL WOMEN 1, Ellie Jones, Pembrokeshire Tri 2:42:11; 2, Bridget Ripley, Padarn Tri 2:48:31; 3, Jayne Arnold, Celtic Tri 2:50:03.

RELAY TEAM 1, Newgale Surf Lifesaving Club 2:19:53; 2, Hair Bear Bunch 2:43:00; 3, The First Timers 2:44:34.