Eugene Grant and Vicky Gill were the winners at the Outlaw Triathlon in Nottingham. Grant, a local optician from Derbyshire, completed the course to achieve a surprise victory whilst Gill lived up to her pre race billing as favourite to smash the course record by half an hour.
With temperatures reaching the high twenties, completing the 2.4mile swim, 112mile bike ride and 26.2mile run became a real challenge for many of the 1000 athletes that took part. However, huge crowds helped cheer the athletes to the grandstand finish at the National Water Sports Centre.
Gill set a new personal best time over the long distance triathlon by ten minutes. She smashed the previous course record by half an hour with her time of 9hours 50:58, picking up a cash bonus of £1,000 in the process.
The 32 year old former elite runner set a steady pace in the swim and worked her way into the lead during the bike leg. She maintained the lead until and extended it during the run.
She said: “Obviously I went through some tough patches but they didn’t last too long. Crossing the line was the real highlight.”
She added: “Everyone on the course is really supportive and was cheering for me. I felt bad as I didn’t really have the energy to cheer back but I just tried to smile all the way round.”
Eugene Grant, 43 from Chesterfield, finished his fourth Outlaw in the row to claim an unexpected win in 9hours 27:09. He was just 14 seconds ahead of the fast-finishing Aussie, Ben Webeck.
He said: “I’m delighted. I came here today trying to achieve a sub ten hour finishing. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would actually win the event. This ranks with being married, first child being born and those sort of things.”
He added: “I’m just amazing I managed to achieve what have done. I think I just must be solar powered!”
The relay event was won by the Cancer Research UK team, including oncology doctor and professional triathlete, Lucy Gossage on the bike. Helen Gorman was the swimmer and Del Pitcher ran the marathon.
The Outlaw had raised £55,000 in pledges for Cancer Research UK before the event and with considerable donations today, the total could well exceed that. Many others completed the Outlaw challenge for their own charities as well.
Despite the hot conditions, plenty of finishers achieved personal best times on the Outlaw’s predominately flat and fast course.
The Outlaw will be televised by Channel 4 next month and it is hoped to confirm the race date and the entry date for 2014 in the next few weeks.
Men’s result:
1. Eugene Grant, 9:27:09
2. Ben Webeck, 9:27:23
3. Daniel Mcparland, 9:34:30
Women’s result:
1. Victoria Gill, 9:50:58
2. Catherine Benger, 10:08:52
3. Rekha Ravichandran, 11:13:09
Relay Result:
1. Team Cancer Research UK, 9:13:19
2. Team Mick's Team, 9:21:57
3. Team Compressport Zerod, 9:24:09
