Roxburgh and Wolfe win Llandudno

The popular Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon took place for the fifth time yesterday (Saturday 29 June) in great racing conditions, seeing a record breaking year.

The 1,200 places for the standard and the sprint distance race were sold out by middle of February, proving the ever-growing popularity of the event. The 2013 race attracted a large number of GB age group sprint athletes as it was the last opportunity to qualify for the World Sprint Championships and the standard race also incorporated the Welsh Triathlon Championships.

The hub of the event was on the Promenade, which was buzzing with spectators watching the swim in the sea, the exciting spectacle in the transition area and athletes crossing the finish line. The standard-distance race included a 1,500m open-water swim followed by a 36km (4 laps) cycle around the Great Orme and a 10km run along the Victorian Promenade. The sprint race consisted of a 750m open-water swim followed by a 19km (2 laps) cycle and a 5km run.

Roxburgh returns

In the standard race Phil Wolfe from Stafford Tri Club dominated across all three disciplines and took the overall title in 02:07:04. The runner up was Ian Roberts (Maxgear / Champion Systems) in 02:12:53 with Daniel Chesters (Thetrimarket.com) taking third place in 02:20:46.

Rhian Roxburgh from Carneddau Tri Club made her comeback to the tri scene by winning the standard-distance women’s race in 02:27:25, leading more than ten minutes ahead of Kelly Weall (Bike Science – Boardman Elite) who crossed the finish line in 02:37:44. Jennifer Dickson defended her third place from last year in a time of 2:41:33 by beating Alison Leavens (City of Chester Tri Club) on the finish line.

The sprint-distance race was won by Chris Standidge (TORQ) in 01:05:08. Standidge set up his win with a fast swim of 10:25 giving him a 3min cushion over runner up Nick Bundle (One Triathlon RDS). Bundle gained time on the cycle and run legs but finished just 12 seconds behind Standidge. Jon Fletcher from Arragons Cumbrian Tri Club came third in 01:05:43. In the women’s race, winner Nicola Boyd (One Triathlon RDS), took the women’s sprint title in 01:13:44 after chasing down the 3 minute lead after the swim leg of Linda Evans (Driven 2 Tri) who finished 2nd in 01:15:16, just beating Susan Fairfax (Crystal Palace Triathletes ) by one second to third place.

Simon Hill, race organiser, commented: “I would like to express a big thank you to everyone who has supported us in delivering another excellent Llandudno Sea Triathlon. We would like to thank Conwy Borough Council, Llandudno Town Council, Conwy Harbour Master, Llandudno Sailing Club, the St. Georges Hotel Llandudno, Xtra Mile Events Crew, Triathlon Wales, BTF Officials, Manchester Medical Services and North Wales Constabulary for their help with staging this event, in addition to all the other support groups who have assisted.

Results (provisional):

Standard Distance: 1,500m swim, 36km cycle, 10km run

MEN

1) Phil Wolfe (Stafford Tri Club), 02:07:04

2) Ian Roberts (Maxgear / Champion Systems), 02:12:53

3) Daniel Chesters (Thetrimarket.com), 02:20:46

WOMEN

1) Rhian Roxburgh, (Carneddau Tri Club), 02:27:25

2) Kelly Weall (Bike Science – Boardman Elite), 02:37:44

3) Jennifer Dickson, 2:41:33

Sprint Distance: 750m swim, 19km cycle, 5km run

MEN

1) Chris Standidge (TORQ), 01:05:08

2) Nick Bundle (One Triathlon RDS), 01:05:20

3) Jon Fletcher (Arragons Cumbrian Tri Club), 01:05:43

WOMEN

1) Nicola Boyd (One Triathlon RDS), 01:13:44

2) Linda Evans (Driven 2 Tri), 01:15:16

3) Susan Fairfax (Crystal Palace Triathletes), 01:15:17

A total of 185 athletes crossed the finish line in the standard race whilst 707 competitors completed the sprint distance race. The full results are available on http://www.xtramileevents.com/results

Other races in North Wales organised by Xtra Mile Events include The Eirias Middle and Standard Distance Triathlon on 3 August 2013, entry to which is still open.

The next race on the Xtra Mile Events calendar is the Buxton Triathlon on 14th July 2013. Go to www.xtramileevents.com for further details.