Monday, September 12, 2011
Dunmow Triathlon Club hosted its third Triathlon on Sunday based at Dunmow Leisure Centre and Parsonage Downs. 400 competitors from all over the South and East of the UK had entered the race and over 300 completed the course on a largely dry, warm and sunny morning.
The triathlon itself was a great success with all athletes fully enjoying the testing courses and for those who came from outside the area the realisation that Essex was not a flat county. Both the run and bike routes were undulating which caught some of the competitors unaware and certainly tested the majority!
The 16 length, 400m swim was held in the Leisure Centre’s pool and started at 0815– the fastest competitor was Peter Hawkins from Durham University Triathlon Club, who completed the distance in 6minutes and 22 seconds. The competitors then ran from the pool to the transition area on the Parsonage Downs area in front of the Helena Romanes School to begin the 23 km bike leg.
The bike course took the competitors on the B184 to Thaxted, turning left in Thaxted on the road towards Elsenham turning left at Broxted to complete the course via Tilty Hill and the Eastons before returning to the Leisure Centre and beginning the run. This was the first time that the Club had negotiated a partial road closure which improved competitor safety outside the Leisure Centre down to the Little Easton junction. Antony Birt was the fastest competitor on the bike leg completing the course in a very impressive 37 minutes and 17 seconds despite the strong headwinds which all competitors had to endure on the road out of Thaxted.
A 5km run completed the event – the run itself was a mixture of road and cross country which again included some testing hills for the competitors. The fasted run time was set by Chris Burgoyne from Springfield Striders in 18 minutes and 24 seconds.
Prizes were presented by Club Chairman Phil Elms and the winner of the men’s race was Antony Birt, who won the inaugural event in 2009 representing Ipswich Triathlon Club in 1 hour and 6 minutes and 54 seconds. The women’s race was won by last year’s winner Louise Rolfe from Walden Triathletes in 1 hour 15 minutes and 08 seconds. (both pictured)
New members of Dunmow Tri club can take part in the race and the first Dunmow Triathlete to finish was Chris Taylor who finished in 19th place, just over 9 minutes behind the eventual winner in only his second ever triathlon. First Dunmow lady to complete the event was Kirsten Jolly who not only raced but helped set up and marshal the event!
Phil Elms, Chairman of Dunmow Tri Club said “The race lived up to all our expectations, was hard work but enjoyed by competitors and volunteers alike. I’d also like to thank the local community for their understanding for any disruption caused by the race”. Phil also paid tribute to the Club Members, their Families and all the helpers who provided support to get the event staged and then provide safety cover for all the competitors.
Dunmow Triathlon Club would also like to thank all our sponsors and supporters for helping make the event a real success for the Town, these include Ramsay Healthcare, Saffron Walden Building Society, Pure Tri, Out There Sports, Chiro Health, Off Site Digital, The Sports Injury Clinic and the Co-Op in Dunmow for supplying all the water and bananas.
Dunmow Triathlon Club are already planning their third winter duathlon (run/bike/run) event in Hatfield Forest in March 2012 and the 4th running of Dunmow’s Triathlon in September 2012 post the undoubted success of triathlon and the Brownlee brothers in the 2012 Olympics. Entry for both these events will be via the internet at http://www.entrycentral.com/
If you are interested in competing in next year’s Dunmow Triathlon or the Duathlon in the spring the club offers training and support for all levels of athlete and is especially supportive of novice Triathletes. Regular swimming sessions, running track and cycling sessions are organised via the Club. The Club now has 7 British Triathlon qualified coaches to supervise all sessions. It is based from Dunmow Leisure Centre, for more information contact Phil Elms, Chairman at the Leisure Centre or via this website