Grand Shaftesbury Triathlon and Run Festival 2015 race report

“Makes me wonder why we’ve never held a triathlon before,” says Lord Shaftesbury

Published: May 21, 2015 at 9:37 am

Triathlon’s debut at the Grand Shaftesbury Run Festival proved a big success in Dorset last weekend, raising funds for several local charities such as Julia’s House, The Hadland Foundation, Victoria Education Centre and Wings For Life.

The festival took place on 15-17 May, with the triathlons taking place on the Saturday. Those competing in the Standard category started with a 1500m swim in the bitterly cold lake, followed by a 44km closed-road cycle and a 10km run to the finish.

Matthew Lawes, 28, from Team Rizzle-Razzle was victorious in the Standard category in a time of 2:21:08, and Leanne Watters, 25, was the first woman across the line in 2:53:14.

The Sprint class swam 750m, cycled 22km and ran 5km; Jack Grundy, 25, was the winner in the Sprint category in 1:14:18 with 32-year-old Sarah Kemp’s 1:26:40 the fastest female time.

The Novice triathletes swum for 400m, hopped on their bikes for 11km and ran the final 2.5km. Nick Curwood, 49, was the sharpest in the Novice class in a time of 44 minutes 28 seconds with Milly Cumming, 32, the quickest woman in 55 minutes 35 seconds.

What’s more, a children’s triathlon took place, where the kids swam for 100m, cycled 2km and ran 1km home. 11-year-old Bertie Pettit triumphed in a time of 16 minutes 52 seconds and Gracie Hawkins, 10, the fastest girl in 17 minutes 49 seconds.

Also, a 33k hand bike competition took place, in both On Road and Off Road classes. Dave Cooke was the only On Road competitor, crossing the line in 1:37:26. Steve Hodges, 44, was the fastest of three Off Road hand bikers finishing in a time of 2:25:48, half an hour ahead of the rest of the field.

Nick Ashley-Cooper, Lord Shaftesbury said: “Seeing how well the festival went this weekend makes me wonder why we’ve never held a triathlon before. A big hand to the Try Tri boys for organising all this and everyone here at St Giles House is already looking forward to next year.”

Did you race at St Giles House last weekend? Let us know in the comments below!

Triathlon’s debut at the Grand Shaftesbury Run Festival proved a big success in Dorset last weekend, raising funds for several local charities such as Julia’s House, The Hadland Foundation, Victoria Education Centre and Wings For Life.

The festival took place on 15-17 May, with the triathlons taking place on the Saturday. Those competing in the Standard category started with a 1500m swim in the bitterly cold lake, followed by a 44km closed-road cycle and a 10km run to the finish.

Matthew Lawes, 28, from Team Rizzle-Razzle was victorious in the Standard category in a time of 2:21:08, and Leanne Watters, 25, was the first woman across the line in 2:53:14.

The Sprint class swam 750m, cycled 22km and ran 5km; Jack Grundy, 25, was the winner in the Sprint category in 1:14:18 with 32-year-old Sarah Kemp’s 1:26:40 the fastest female time.

The Novice triathletes swum for 400m, hopped on their bikes for 11km and ran the final 2.5km. Nick Curwood, 49, was the sharpest in the Novice class in a time of 44 minutes 28 seconds with Milly Cumming, 32, the quickest woman in 55 minutes 35 seconds.

What’s more, a children’s triathlon took place, where the kids swam for 100m, cycled 2km and ran 1km home. 11-year-old Bertie Pettit triumphed in a time of 16 minutes 52 seconds and Gracie Hawkins, 10, the fastest girl in 17 minutes 49 seconds.

Also, a 33k hand bike competition took place, in both On Road and Off Road classes. Dave Cooke was the only On Road competitor, crossing the line in 1:37:26. Steve Hodges, 44, was the fastest of three Off Road hand bikers finishing in a time of 2:25:48, half an hour ahead of the rest of the field.

Nick Ashley-Cooper, Lord Shaftesbury said: “Seeing how well the festival went this weekend makes me wonder why we’ve never held a triathlon before. A big hand to the Try Tri boys for organising all this and everyone here at St Giles House is already looking forward to next year.”

(Images: Try Tri Events)

Did you race at St Giles House last weekend? Let us know in the comments below!