Go Beyond Sport hosted their second annual standard-distance Pitsford Triathlon last Sunday (12 July), seeing competitors race through an overcast Northamptonshire.
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With a significantly larger turnout than last year, Ian Smith was the cream of the crop, taking the victory in the men’s category. Lindsay Romecin saw off the competition in the ladies’ category and crossed the line first.
A new perpetual trophy was introduced at this year’s race, which was to be awarded to the first club team. Rugby Tri Club, who were using the event as their Standard Distance Club Championships, won the first award.
Coming from behind
After leaving the water third, men’s winner Ian Smith came roaring out of the reservoir, excelling on the bike and run, and posting splits of 1:03:13 and 39:21mins respectively – the fastest times of the day.
Men’s podium at Pitsford Triathlon 2015
Second-placed James Beechy, from Army Triathlon Association, matched Smith’s time on the bike and they went into the run almost neck-and-neck. Despite pushing Smith hard, Beechy couldn’t keep up and finished just under three minutes behind the winner.
Matthew Glenn rounded off the top three, and last year’s champion Jordon Simmonds, who was the fastest swimmer with a time of 18:19, finished fourth.
Lindsay Romecin had to wait until the cycle until she took the lead in the women’s category. Martine Crofts emerged from the water 50 seconds ahead of the eventual winner but was to finish 11 places behind Romecin.
Women’s podium (winner Lindsay Romecin far right)
With a confident run and cycle, Lindsay Romecin finished 4mins ahead of the second-placed Katie Beckett. The runner-up posted the fastest run in the women’s category – a 45:12mins split.
Beckett had to work hard for her second place, seeing off a formidable challenge from Sarah Ashcroft. The pair were just a minute apart when Beckett got to the T2, but Ashcroft couldn’t close the gap any further and had to settle for third place.
Number of relay teams nearly doubled
This year’s triathlon saw nine relay teams take part, four more than the event’s first year.
Mark Hazle, Steve Woods and Tom Greeves took the win, finishing five minutes ahead of second-placed Martyn Lever, Richard Jones and Eddie Smith. Lever was part of the winning relay team in last year’s event.
Pitsford Triathlon 2015 champions (1.5k/ 40km/ 10km)