Scores take the GoTri challenge

 

 

Over 100 competitors took to the starting blocks for the last in a series of Pembrokeshire mini triathlons this summer.

 

Ten teams and 115 budding sports men and women - as well as a sprinkling of seasoned athletes - took part in the mini triathlon at Haverfordwest on September 15th.

 

It followed earlier GoTri events at Fishguard, Crymych and Haverfordwest and a Duathlon in St David’s.

The overall Haverfordwest winner was Gareth Payne, Ellie Astins was the first woman home, William Bailey was the first male novice and Naomi Sharp the first female novice.

Dave Astins won the Male Veterans’ race, while Martin Evans was the first male Super Vet home, Debbie Phillips won the Female Vet title and Jan Jones the female Super Vet.

The top mixed team was Newport Newbies, the Dylan Jones team won the male team race and Charlie’s Angels were the first women’s team home.

The overall winners of the series of four mini triathlons were Adrian Smith and Catherine Marks, while Carl Davies and Alec Ffitch won the novice categories.

 

Organised by Pembrokeshire Leisure – the leisure services arm of Pembrokeshire County Council - and the Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club, the mini triathlons are aimed primarily at first timers but are also open to more experienced athletes.

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Entrants take part in a 400m pool swim, a 12.5mile cycle ride and a three mile run and if three different sports are a bit too much, participants could  also enter as a three–person team taking on the swim, cycle or run individually.

 

“These mini triathlons are all about encouraging more people into sport and physical activity,” said Councillor Elwyn Morse, Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure.

 

“Events such as last year’s Olympic Games and Ironman Wales held in Pembrokeshire certainly inspire people but newcomers also need events that are within their reach. The advantage of the Go Tri events is that they are challenging and yet also attainable,” he said.

 

“They have proved extremely popular with both newcomers and experienced athletes.”

 

Gary Nicholas of Pembrokeshire Leisure said 452 people had competed in the four mini triathlons and duathlon this year, including 168 novices.

“We hope they enjoyed the experience and will take part again in next year’s series of mini triathlons,” he said.

 

“And who knows, they may even go on to bigger and better things such as last year’s category winners Adam Goy and Rhian Bruce, who have just completed their first Ironman!”

 

This year’s series of four mini triathlons was sponsored by Princes Gate Spring Water.

 

You can log onto www.pembrokeshire.gov/leisure/gotri for more information or contact your local leisure centre.