Local?competitors were well represented at Sunday’s Macclesfield Triathlon, with two Wheelers excelling in their categories.
While organisers were delighted that the popular sprint-distance triathlon event was a great success, Ian Lawton and Rebecca Holland had extra reason for cheer as they were the first male and female racers to return.
A total of 166 athletes started with a 400m swim at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, which was followed by a beautiful 24.9km cycle ride from the Cheshire Plains out into the edge of the Peak District and a two-lap, 7.34km run along the lanes around Broken Cross.
Lawton won the men’s race with a fast run securing him the title in a time of 1hr 14:18min, ahead of Evolution Bikes’ Arthur Connell just over a minute behind.
Matthew Welsh of Deeside AAC took third place in 1:16.44.
Holland, of City of Chester Tri Club, led the ladies home in 1:22.08 thanks partly to the day’s third overall fastest time on the bike.
Charlotte Wormleighton came second in 01:28.56 but Natalie Abbott of Macclesfield Wheelers was the host town’s real star, securing third place in a time of 1:29.12.
Abbott’s fellow Wheeler and Macclesfield Harrier Fred Wardle was another hometown success story, as he won the men’s 55-59 age category in a time of 1:35.17.
Katy Burke achieved the fastest overall swim time while Phillip Lynes was the fastest on the bike and overall winner Lawton put in the fastest run.
Race director Simon Hill said: “The Macclesfield Triathlon is a popular pool-based sprint distance triathlon, and I am pleased that the 2013 race has been another success with athletes of all levels taking the plunge.
“I would like to thank all the marshals and volunteers as well as the Macclesfield Leisure Centre staff, East Cheshire Council, Xtra Mile Events Crew, BTF Referees, Manchester Medical Services and Cheshire Constabulary for their help with staging this event.
“A big thank you also goes to everyone who raised money for our Official Event Charity, Friends of Park Lane School.”
Sponsors of this year’s triathlon include Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative (Official Bicycle Retail Partner), Starley Bikes (Official Specialist Bike Brand), USN Ultimate Sports Nutrition (Official Nutrition Partner), Zone3 (Official Wetsuit Partner), Clif Bar (Official Energy Bar Partner), Aftershokz (Official Headphone Partner), Up & Running (Official Sports Retail Partner) and Athlete Matters (Official Physio and Rehab Partner).
The Macclesfield Triathlon is part of the Xtra Mile Events Tri Sprint Series, with the South Manchester Triathlon the last event of the series this season.
Places for that race, scheduled for September 22, are going fast, anyone wishing to take part should go to www.xtramileevents.com for further details and to register.
