It’s got one of the most forbidding names in triathlon, for good reason. The third annual instalment of the Brutal Extreme Triathlon saw 146 athletes race in the stunning surroundings of Llanberis at the foot of Snowdon in north Wales last weekend.
In all there were 91 entrants to the half-Iron distance, 39 for the full-Iron distance and 16 hardy souls taking on the double-Iron distance race. All of them started with a swim in an unseasonably warm Lake Padarn, followed by a bike through Snowdonia National Park, including a long climb to Pen-y-Pass and a fast descent down Llanberis Pass. The races finished with a 15km ascent of Mount Snowdon involving nearly 1,000 metres of climbing.
In the half race, there were 81 finishers with Warren Mason taking the male win after overtaking Chris Pillar on the run, and Tom Adams rounding out the podium. In the women’s race, Bethan Griffiths overtook Rosemary Byde on the final section for gold, with Julie Webb taking bronze.
In the full distance race, there were 34 finishers, with David Chapman leading the men from start to finish, followed by Joshua Bishop and Ben Norman. Only one woman entered the women’s race, Ella Richardson, who battled her way through to the finish.
In the double, there were 12 finishers, all men, and the lead continued to change hands over the 82km run course. In the end Anthony Gerundini managed to edge ahead in the final two hours of the race to claim first place, followed by Ludovic Chorgnon and Luke Paul Davis.
Half Brutal results
Men
Warren Mason (06:08:21)
Chris Pillar (06:19:25)
Tom Adams (06:24:50)
Women
Bethan Griffiths (07:13:38)
Rosemary Byde (07:27:51)
Julie Webb (07:35:59)
Full Brutal results
Men
David Chapman (12:21:54)
Joshua Bishop (13:06:57)
Ben Norman (13:59:01)
Women
Ella Richardson (20:37:46)
Double Brutal results
Men
Anthony Gerundini (31:27:04)
Ludovic Chorgnon (32:25:04)
Luke Paul Davis (35:21:52)
For the full results head here. For the full gallery head to our Facebook page.
(All images: Klickchick Photography)
Did you race the Brutal last weekend? Let us know in the comments below!