Triathlons

22 August - BRITISH PARATRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP
Kevin Flint, a member of the Grantham based cycle club Witham Wheelers, scored an empathic victory this weekend in the British National Paratriathlon Championship. The event took place at Holme Pierre Pont, Nottingham and consisted of a 750m swim, 20km bike and a 5km run.
In good conditions Kevin put himself in a strong position after the swim, his 4 laps on the bike were very consistent and he held on in the run to take 1st spot in the Category 5 classification. His overall time was 1 hour, 14minutes and 10seconds. He has also placed 4th at the European Championships and now heads to the World Paratriathlon Championship in Budapest on 11th September. His coach Peter Pain was full of praise for Kevin and stated that “Kevin is in good form compared to last year and if he works hard there is no reason why he should not podium.”

22 August - NOTTINGHAM TRIATHLON
Three members of Witham Wheelers competed in the Nottingham Triathlon this weekend with some excellent results. The event consisted of 750m swim, a 20km bike and a 5km run. Stefan Lawrence, who is recovering from injury, led the way placing 20th with a time of 1hr 6min 9sec also capturing 3rd in his age group. Mick Oliver then came in 27th with a time of 1hr 7min 3sec also getting 3rd in his age group. Peter Pain hit the tape in 41st in 1hr 9min 11sec having secured 1st place in his age group.

3/7/10 Junior Tandem Triathlon Bishops Castle, Shropshire
Young Witham Wheeler, Eleanor Crawford (10) took part in her first Junior Tandem Triathlon with her partner for the event Louis Russell. Eleanor first had a 200m swim, then Louis then had a 800m run, with then both finished with a 1km grass track bike ride. They both enjoyed the event and both hope to take part again next year.
The Junior Tandem triathlon is part of a whole weekend of tandem related events, Eleanor has completed the main Tandem triathlon event twice before as second stoker on a tagalong on the back of her parents tandem. The main tandem triathlon involves, one partner swimming 1000m,  a 30k tandem ride (for both),  a very hilly 10k run for the second partner and a 5k tandem ride back.
Other events of the weekend included Tandem Grass track racing, Treasure hunts, group rides and it’s a knock out on Tandems.

19 June 2010 Dambuster Triathlon
One of the top triathlons in the country attracting 1000 entries is based at Rutland Water featuring a 1500m swim in the reservoir followed by a hilly 42km road circuit and a 9.7km run crossing the dam twice.
Winner was Lawrence Fanou in 1:58:37.
Results of club members were as follows:
Peter Pain 2:26:18 234/1006 14th in age group 50-54
Neil Dowsett 2:26:24 236/1006 47th in age group 35-39
Gavin Dowsett 2:34:17 360/1006 75th in age group 30-34
Paul Letchworth 2:34:55 369/1006 77th in age group 40-44 Top of Page»

Open Water Swim 11th July - Bosworth Water
A brand new mass participation open water swimming event is set to launch in the East Midlands this summer.
The popular Midlands Championships at Bosworth Water will now feature open races in the afternoon on 11 July, named the East Midlands Big Swim.

Swimmers in the East Midlands Big Swim will have the option to wear wetsuits and compete in 500m or 1000m distances. The event is specifically aimed at novices and inexperienced open water swimmers of all ages, and will feature the usual BBQ and festival atmosphere that swimmers enjoy each year at the Midland Open Championships.

The Championships will go ahead as usual in the morning, featuring Junior, Senior and Masters events. The aim is to entice parents and supporters to have a go themselves following the championship events. Swimmers will have access to wetsuit hire through event partners, blueseventy, who will be offering 20% off the price of a wetsuit to entrants at www.blueseventy.com. All competitors will receive a free t-shirt and finishers will receive a medal.

East Midlands Regional Director, Roger Glithero said: "this is an opportunity to experience open water swimming in the heart of the midlands at one of the best open water venues in the country.

"The water is relatively shallow, meaning it's nice and warm. We're offering people the option of wearing a wetsuit or whatever suitable swimwear they'd like to wear. One of the big benefits of Bosworth Water is that the lake is fairly small so you're never too far from the sides. spectators can walk right around the lake so it feels very friendly and safe. There are places for 500 people to take part and we will open the offer to local triathletes as well as swimmers and the general public. It promises to be a fantastic day!

Entry is available through www.eastmidlandsbigswim.com. Use the promotional code 'bosworth' to access 20% off bluseventy wetsuits. Top of Page»

Sunday 6th June - Lutterworth Junior Triathlon
Two club riders took part in the Youth category (ages 15 & 16 ) event at Lutterworth sports centre with a 400m swim, 8km bike and 3km run.

Peter Cocker took his first Triathlon win using his cycling strength to take a clear 2 minute margin at the end, finishing in an overall time of 39.35. Despite a lack of swim training Ashley Money also did well to finish 5th overall in a time of 44.56.

15 May 2010, three Witham Wheelers; Pete Pain, Rob Head and Mick Ryan raced in the VUE National Emergency services Triathlon at Holmepierre Point, Notts. This was their first open water race of the season and this was reflected by the water temperature which was "Bracing" to say the least!!!!!!!!!

The race attracted the best emergency services triathletes from the police, fire, ambulance, prison and mountain rescue teams. Pete Pain was racing in the 50 -55 "Saga" age Group, however he is in good form recording a noteable 19 min 5km run split. Rob Head was racing in the 35 - 39 age group, and Mick Ryan raced in the 40 - 44 age group, both had an even paced race finishing at the top end of their age groups. There was a strong wind blowing down the course and it was not a day for PBs, 166 athletes finished the race, however the overall positions were:

Pete Pain - 36 overall - 2nd in age group
Mick Ryan - 57 overall - 14 in age group
Rob Head - 65 overall - 13 in age group

Why should a Triathlete join a cycling club?
The obvious reason is that it will improve your cycling. The long steady clubrun on a Sunday morning of anything up to 70 miles, especially through the winter, provides ideal base level fitness and will improve bike handling and confidence in riding in close company with other cyclists. Also riding in a group is more sociable and makes the time in the
saddle go quicker.

In the summer we have a mixture of time trials, of which the weekly 10 mile event is perfect for the effort required in sprint Triathlons and also bunch racing to force you to pedal at speeds you would never normally reach
when out on your own.

Currently we have around 6 members training and competing in Triathlons from relative beginners to National Army age group team level.

So whatever level you are at, come along and see what we can offer, at the Cricket Club Gorse Lane Grantham around 7.00 on a Tuesday during the summer months. Better still bring your bike and try out the 10 mile TT course.
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On Sunday 11th June 2006 the first ever Grantham Triathlon took place at the Meres Leisure Centre.
Particiating were Witham Wheelers very own Matt Penifold, Peter Pain and Simon Cocker.
This is a Sprint event and consists of a 400m (16 lengths) swim, 12 mile bike ride (1st lap down Casthorpe Hill and back through Harlaxton and second lap back to Barrowby and direct to Harlaxton then finishing with a 3 mile 2 lap run of the Meres.)
First wave of swimmers go around 9.15.
A large field is expected but to give you an idea of how popular Triathlon currently is, nearly 500 people of all ages, shapes and sizes (some even bigger than Phil) took part in a recent Sprint Tri event at Southwell. Simon Cocker came 262nd in 1.08.31 compared to the winner in 48.06, its definitely a sport where you always have plenty of room for improvement.

There is talk of a Grantham Tri club setting up after the event if it is a sucess.

The Witham Wheelers welcome Triathletes to train with them on our club runs and compete in our club events

Full Results - click here
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Above; Simon Cocker, Mat Penifold and Pete Pain left, Peter Cocker, winner of the Splash Pedal Dash Junior Triathlon for the Witham Wheelers.