2014 | shetland-tri-club

Malakoff Standard Triathlon - 7 September 2014

Harsh conditions for Malakoff Standard Triathlon

With the weather on Sunday morning living up to its billing and delivering consistent heavy rain and strong winds at one point it was touch and go whether the Malakoff Shetland Standard Triathlon would even be able to take place. However the call was made to halve the bike leg to 20km leaving the 1500m pool swim and 10km run at the correct distance. With the event this year doubling as the 2015 Jersey Island Games selection race there was lot at stake for the hopefuls wishing to qualify as well as a few nerves for the first timers having a go at their first standard distance race. A total of 16 individuals and two teams took part with athletes from Orkney as well as one individual travelling from much further south.

Due to limited lane space the female individuals and teams went off in the first heat with the male competitors following 30 minutes later. The standout swims on the day came from individuals within the two teams with Amy Harper and Lois Ross recording 18:35 and 21:29 respectively for the 60 lengths. Other mentions go to John W Simpson for working hard to get his time down close to 30 minutes and Janice Hamer for going 4 minutes under her target time. Out onto the bike and with conditions probably at their worse it was a real battle heading north out of town, through the brig o fitch and up and over to the turn point just after the Westside junction at the start of the Tingwall straight. The return leg, albeit easier on the legs, was nonetheless nerve wracking as the fastest competitors hit 50 mph at points with a strong tail wind. Notable bike times came from Colin Smith, who was way out front in the race having been given a good lead in the team competition from Harper, Lynsey Henderson who had the fastest female bike split of the day and Laurence Little, who has consistently trained throughout the year to enable him to keep getting better in each event he participates in. With just the 10km run to complete and all competitors completely soaked it was a case of grinding out the two big loops and two small loops around the clickimin loch and rugby pitches. Having taken over the lead in the team competition from Smith it was left to Alan Williamson to complete the run and come first over the line in the team competition in a total time of 1:44:27. In the womens race it was Henderson who put in her usual solid run to take first place in 1:56:09. Second over the line was Louise Parr in 2:01:12, recording the fastest female run split of the day of 45:12 and narrowly edging Gee Zissler into 3rd with a 2:01:42. Louise had travelled back up to Shetland just for the weekend from England, where she is a member of the RAF, a good effort to come all that way and race for a spot in Jersey. In the mens race it was Peter Fenwick who took the win in 1:42:58, followed by Andy Aitken in 1:47:15 and Neil Robertson from Orkney in 1:54:13. A number of athletes on the day were stepping up to do their first Standard distance triathlon and although the bike was cut short it was more than a challenge- in particular Sanna Aitken, Frances Hutchison, Alexis Smith and Janice Hamer deserve recognition. Janice chose to do the triathlon as fundraiser for James Hawick from Nesting who needs a bone marrow transplant and anyone who wishes to donate is more than welcome and can either do so by contacting Janice directly or the club.

Results: Peter Fenwick 1:42:58, Amy Harper/Colin Smith/Alan Williamson 1:44:27, Andy Aitken 1:47:15, Neil Robertson 1:54:13, Bonar Barclay 1:55:09, Lynsey Henderson 1:56:09, JW Simpson 1:59:35, Louise Parr 2:01:12, Gee Zissler 2:01:42, Lois/Derek/Babs Ross 2:08:46, Sanna Aitken 2:09:16, David Hamilton 2:13:45, Frances Hutchison 2:21:18, Laurence Little 2:27:30, Alexis Smith 2:45:38, Janice Hamer 3:05:16, Gemma Passmore DNF, Wendy Hatrick DQ.

As always many thanks go to Mandy Ridland for the timekeeping, Caroline Simpson for the bike safety and all the marshalls and staff at the Clickimin for enabling us to put on the event. As in customary the Island Games team will be named in a press release in the near future. The local racing scene is over for the summer now but winter training begins at the start of October and the first of the winter duathlon series is at the end. See www.shetlandtriclub.com for further details.

Inter-County Sprint Triathlon - 19 July 2014

Shetland was host to this year tri counties competition against Orkney and Caithness. The competition consisted of everyone completing a sprint distance triathlon.(750m swim,20km cycle and 5km run). The times of the first three male competitors and first female from each county are added together to get the team time the lowest combined times winning the coveted tri counties helmet. Orkney had won it the previous year so Shetland and Caithness were back this year fired up to win the helmet back.

The competition started with the swim in the pool, The Shetlanders setting out at a fast pace, showing the opposition that they mean business. Andy Aitken was first out the water in 09:54, quickly followed by Pete Fenwick and Joe Spencer from Caithness. Lynsey Henderson was the first women out the water. Then the first Orcadian Neil Robertson was next out the water. Bonar Barclay(Shetland),David Spencer(Caithness) and Torquil Clyde, Michael Butler, Albert Bruce( all Orkney) all coming out water between 12-13 minutes. Newer and Novice tri athletes came out water next including Andrew Philips,Richard Williamson, Rhonda Sandison, Lorna Stanger the Caithness teams female member. Lewis and Moraig Lyall and John Amy ( Caithness).

The cycle course was on a tough hilly course, especially for the visitors who are used to much flatter courses. In the lead Pete Fenwick and Andy Aitken were keeping up the speed as shown in the pool. Joe Spencer and Lynsey Henderson next in the line working hard on the hills,Henderson passing Spencer on the return leg of the cycle. Bonar Barclay and Torquil Clyde strong cyclists speeding through the bike route to make up time lost in the swim. Neil Robertson joining team mate Torquil clyde putting in a strong cycle leg.The Caithness team also fighting back on the bike to make up time with David Spencer pushing hard following his son example and Lorna Stanger more comfortably in the cycling discipline., John Amy final member of Caithness team joining in with the rest team to work hard.

The run course was on the flat of area around the clickimin. This run would be the deciding discipline in the county race. Pete Fenwick extended his lead at the front to finish with a 18:25 run time and overall time 1:02:45. Andy Aitken was 2nd over the line have a great day racing. Bonar Barclay pushed ahead on the run to come in 3rd. Then next over the finish line was Lynsey Henderson, Finish the Shetland team line up to ensure the county helmet return to Shetland. The chicked Orcadian and Caithness men were in next over the line. Torquil Clyde picking up 1st veteran, Joe Spencer 1st Junior, Lorna Stanger made it 2nd female. Moraig Lyall 3rd female.

Thanks to all volunteers that came and helped out with marshalling and timing. And also thatnks to Caithness and Orkney competitors for travel up to compete to make it a great day of racing.

Brae Novice Triatlhon - 25 May 2014

Sunday saw the largest turnout so far for the STC annual Novice triathlon up in Brae with 12 competitors lining up for the 400m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run. With a mixture of experienced and new triathletes it was going to be an exciting race with more than a few nerves, especially for the debutants.

With the weather playing fair for once, at least in not having torrential rain, the race got underway with a 24 length pool swim. It was David Wilson who was first out the pool with a 5.51 swim time, closely followed by Fraser Hall, Bradley Wood and Bonar Barclay all with sub 6 minute swim times in lane 1. It was the experienced Barclay however who used this nous to his advantage in transition and left first to head out on the bike leg. The next two out the water from lane 2 in sub 7 minute times were Laurence Little and Davie Williamson followed by Tim Ash in 7.30. The 3rd lane was a bit more congested with 5 swimmers battling it out in the short 16m pool. Richard Pedder was the first out followed by the female contingent of the race with Rhonda Sandison, Nicola Duthie, Donna Murray and Alexis Ross exiting the pool in that order.

With most competitors leaving transition and starting the bike leg with no worries unfortunately Wood in his first triathlon had a chain come off his bike just out of transition and having tried unsuccessfully to get it back on had to come back and look for help- this was ably delivered by Lynsey Henderson, herself not a stranger to mechanical issues in races and she soon had him back going, albeit with a severe time deficit to the other front runners. Two bike times of note were that of Barclay and Williamson, with the former extending his lead at the front of the race

and the latter overtaking those in front of him and coming into transition in second with a 20.27 bike split. Other notable rides came from Ash and Little for the guys and Smith and Duthie in the female race.

Out onto the run and it was Barclay who extended his lead still further with the fastest run split of the day of 11.41 finishing first in an overall time of 38.41. Williamson however ran well to hold second spot and on debut finished strongly as well in 41.04, this result bodes well for him chasing for a 2015 Island Games place this year. Third spot went to the very consistent Hall in 45.06, who had a good race with evenly balanced splits between the three disciplines. In the womens race a close battle had developed between Smith and Duthie with the latter having the advantage from the swim but Smith clawing back time on the bike for them to come into second transition together- it was to be the same for the run in the end with Smiths winter training paying off and allowing her to take the victory in 55.05 with the faster run split. Duthies effort in her first triathlon gained her the prize for the best performance of the day however which she rightly deserved to be pleased with. Both other debutants in the female race produced performances to be proud of as well and the triathlon club hope to see them and all the other competitors back at future races.

Results: Bonar Barclay 38.41, Davie Williamson 41.04, Fraser Hall 45.06, Bradley Wood 46.23, Tim Ash 48.25, Laurence Little 50.50, David Wilson 51.25, Richard Pedder 51.54, Alexis Smith 55.05, Nicola Duthie 55.40, Donna Murray 1.01.00, Rhonda Sandison 1.21.15.

The next triathlon will be the Junior triathlon at Sandwick on the 22nd June before the tri-county sprint triathlon on the 19th July at Clickimin. See www.shetlandtriclub.com for further details on training and racing.

Jake Porter Duathlon - 27 April 2014

Shetland Tri Club Duathlon #6 - 30 March 2014

Henderson breaks course record and Wood shows promise in March Duathlon.

5 athletes took to the start line on Sunday to compete in the March instalment of the Shetland Triathlon Club’s Duathlon Series. Under glorious sunshine a light easterly breeze conditions were as good as they could have been and the competitors were keen to make the most of it on the 2.2 mile run/13.5 mile bike/2.2 mile run course.

The early pace was set by triathlon newcomer Bradley Wood (17) who led the field on the first 2 mile run loop. Andy Aitken and Lynsey Henderson filtered in behind the youngster and stuck close to each other with neither being able to shake the other off their tail. Jim Nicolson and Alexis Smith completed the field and both looked in fine running form.Wood was first into transition in a time of 13.50 putting his background in middle-distance running to good use and after a swift turnaround he was heading out on his new Carrera bike. Aitken led Henderson by 3 seconds into T1 but an efficient 38 second transition saw her out on the bike before him. Nicolson was in next followed by Smith who’s rapid transition times always sees her make time up on the rest of the field.

As always the bike leg shuffled the pack. A strong ride from Aitken saw him move to the head of the race within the first couple of miles, only ever letting up to pull faces at Kevin Jones on the roadside. Henderson, knowing the female course record was a possibility continued to push for a fast time, and Wood, on his duathlon debut, was following advice and keeping the pace hard but steady. He managed to keep the threat of Nicolson at bay who was tapping out a steady rhythm a couple of minutes behind him. Smith, with a PB within her grasp was keen to get back to transition and begin the 2nd run. Despite channelling a few valuable breaths at cheering on her competitors her improving bike splits continue to impress her peers. Bike splits were 37.00, 40.48, 46.39, 46.09 and 53.37 respectively.

After racking the bikes back in transition and slipping on the trainers again it was onto the 2nd run to decide the final placings of the race. Aitken, who was showing little sign of a recent foot injury led out with a 3 minute cushion over his nearest rival. He held onto his position and crossed the line in 1:07.56. Knowing the course record was still achievable Henderson stormed through the 2nd run and crossed the line in 1:11.07, knocking a further 10 seconds off her own PB and Course Record she set last year. Wood, who experienced the unavoidable "jelly legs" that every newcomer faces ran his 2nd run in under 15 minutes and posted a brilliant 1:16.56 for his first ever competitive multisport event. Being motivated, showing a great attitude and having a strong grasp on running, swimming and now cycling he is placing himself well to become a very well-rounded young triathlete. The ever-steady Nicolson who held his 4th position place from start to finish crossed the line in 1:20.43. Smith ran another solid run to cross the line in 1:31.07. Despite missing out on her PB was pleased, along with everyone else, to be outside racing in the sunshine.

Shetland Tri Club Duathlon #5 - 23 February 2014

A win for Gair puts him clear at the top of the table in Duathlon series. With the weather not co-operating for Februarys Duathlon the rescheduled event took place on Saturday at Tingwall with 8 individuals taking part on a sunny, if not slightly breezy day. The early pace was led out on the first run as usual by Russell Gair but this time he had some company in the form of new Triathlon Club junior member Bradley Wood who soon moved to the front and paced the two round in just over 13 minutes, a very fast time on the day. Gair set out on the bike first with Wood heading out as well albeit on a shortened bike course for his first duathlon. The next trio of John William Simpson, Richard Williamson and Fraser Hall were close together around the 14 minute mark and set out on the bike within 30 seconds of each other. Next back were regulars Lynsey Henderson, Wendy Hatrick and Alexis Smith.

First back off the bike after his short course was Wood who immediately set out on his second run and found that the jelly legs that all triathletes fear had taken hold, nevertheless he recorded a strong run of 14.58 to bring him home in 52.22. After only training with us for a month now Wood has a strong future in the sport should he wish to pursue it. Out on the main bike course and a battle had developed between Simpson and Gair with Simpson finally getting the better of the Quarff man to come back into transition first with a 38.35 bike time. Henderson as usual was showing she can mix it with the guys on the bike being next into transition after overtaking Williamson and Hall out on the road. Both Williamson and Hall put in strong cycles but it was Williamson who got the better of the two by 5 minutes, Hall did have a borrowed bike however so the battle will be much closer when he gets his own. Hatrick and Smith were next back in with the former wishing she had put more layers on and the latter wasting no time in transition by telling the timekeeper she was putting her bike on the floor instead of in the rack and recording the fastest transition of the day of 10 seconds!

Although first out of transition Simpson knew Gair was chasing him down and it was Gair’s faster second run that brought him first home in 1.07.53, although only a minute ahead of Simpson. Henderson maintained her lead to the two guys behind and all three had some of the most consistent run times on the day. Next back was Hatrick who looked to have warmed up and bit followed by Smith, who has consistently lowered her times on the course over the winter. Thanks must go to Caroline Simpson for the cookies that her husband brandished at the end of the race, he appeared to try and take credit for them at first but this myth was soon dispelled when they tasted superb.

The next event is the monthly 10/5k series this Saturday 9 am at the Clickimin followed by the duathlon on the last Sunday of the month. This will be the last chance to get a practice before the Jake Porter Duathlon Championships in April. Keep getting those entries in either as a team or on your own and get raising money so we can try and match the success of the event last year. Continuing thanks go to Malakoff Ltd for support of the club and its community events and lastly keep up to date with us on facebook or www.shetlandtriclub.com.

Shetland Tri CLub 5k/10k #5 - 8 February 2014

Biggest turnout of the series as Hall and Williamson take fastest spots.

Despite the organiser guaranteeing calm pleasant weather during the mid-week reminders the conditions actually turned out to be far from pleasant with a strong breeze and heavy showers greeting the runners for the 5th 10/5k run of the series at the Clickimin on Saturday. This did not stop the biggest turnout of the year however with 12 runners taking part over the two distances.

Allan Williamson lead the pace out again from the start although this was even faster than previous runs as he had decided to have a go at the 5k course this time. He was joined by series debutant and fast junior athlete Bradley Wood and both used their athletics training to hold a very fast pace. Also doing the 5k were Callum McLean and two other newcomers in Nicola Duthie and Aimee Keith. Despite the conditions Williamson completed the two lap course in a rapid 18.04, followed by Wood in 19.20 and McLean in 21.40. Duthie and Keith also looked pleased with their performances and so they should, both recording 28.40, well under their half hour target time.

Onto the 10k course and with conditions deteriorating it became even harder for the runners who had opted for the longer distance. Fraser Hall was leading the way however and showed a good judgement of pace to record 43.35, an excellent time on the day. A small battle had developed between the next two runners with Wendy Hatrick (45.49) getting the better of Laurence Sutherland (46.46) after the latter had led through halfway. The next runners across the line were series first timer Frances Tait who dipped under 50 minutes with a 49.59, Babs Ross who just missed out on “sub 50” for the second month in a row with 50.10 and Heidi Eriksen, also on her first run with a debut 53.36. Performance of the day went to the triathlon club’s own Laurence Little who has been regularly training with us for two years now but was having a go at his first series run. Although probably a little apprehensive before the start Little ran an even paced 10k to finish in 55.30, illustrating that the training he has been doing is paying off.

Our next event is the fifth winter duathlon at Tingwall on Sunday 23rd February at 11am. This is a great opportunity to have a go on the course that will hold the Jake Porter duathlon Championships in April that proved so popular last year and was nominated as one of Triathlon Scotlands events of the year. For the monthly training duathlons just turn up on the day and if you are interested in the Championships see www.entrycentral.com and search for the event for entries. Please also check out our website at www.shetlandtriclub.com for all the latest news and training info.

Shetland Tri Club 5k/10k #4 - 11 January 2014

Williamson fastest but Ross takes performance of the day in 10k/5k Triathlon series.

The first run of the new year in the Tri club 10/5k series saw 9 runners take to the course on Saturday morning at the Clickimin and although temperatures were cool the wind was definitely kinder than in December.

Allan Williamson took the pace out on his own as he did back in December and looked again to be trying to improve on his rapidly decreasing 10k PB time. Next on his heels were the fast starting Wendy Hatrick and previous series runner Laurence Sutherland followed by first timer but tri club regular Sanna Aitken plus regulars Babs Ross and Janice Hamer. Three runners opted for the 5k course, with Alexis Smith fastest in 25.20 after deciding not to complete the full 10k due to an ankle niggle. Also out for her second run of the series was Lisa Johnson and she was joined by first timer Kate Wills- they both ran the 5k together well with Wills putting in a sprint finish to record 31.13 just 1 second faster than Johnson- the timekeeper is sure that Lisa will have a go at reversing this result the next time though.

Back to the 10k course and although looking to have tired on his third lap Williamson increased the pace for the last lap spurred on by a timecheck from the timekeeper and crossed the line in 38.48, a new PB by 10 seconds. Sutherland with a 45.39 was in the end to get the better of Hatrick with 46.02 by perhaps pacing his run better but both were good runs on the day. Next home and with the performance of the day was Ross who recorded 49.24, a PB by over a minute and a half and well under her sub 50 minute target at the start of the series. She did this by running evenly at the start but gradually increasing her pace through the run and showing real commitment for the last lap. Next in after a close battle was Hamer and Aitken in 50.45 and 51.06 respectively although it should be noted that Aitken thought she had another lap to do so wasn’t quite as tired as she should have been. Next time Sanna!

Our next event is the fourth winter duathlon at Tingwall on Sunday 26th at 11am. Before that however is our AGM on Wednesday 22nd January at 7.30pm in the upstairs lounge bar- anyone is more than welcome to come along and find out more about the club and maybe even join up. Please also check out our new website at www.shetlandtriclub.com for all the latest news and training info.