Shetland ​​Triathlon Club
Malakoff Standard Triathlon - 06/09/2015
​
With the Clickimin pool out of action the Malakoff Shetland standard triathlon was moved up to Brae for the first time with 9 individuals and one team taking on the new course. The new route consisted of a slightly shortened 1km swim, a 40km bike heading south and back and a 10km run out along the Sullom road. For a number of competitors this would be there first attempt at a Standard triathlon and although dry the strong NW wind would make it a tough test.
With just one heat for the swim everyone was able to race together and as usual it was Andy Aitken who led out the water with a 13.30 closely followed by Pete Fenwick. In the womens race Lynsey Henderson was quickest in 13.56 with Sanna Aitken just 30 seconds behind. Other swims of note came from Laurence Little in 16.54 and Emily…. In 22.24 who was competing in a team with Stephanie Bain and Ruth Christie.
Onto the bike leg and it quickly became apparent to the competitors that it was going to be a very fast cycle south to the nesting junction with a strong tail wind. The fastest cyclists averaged 26-28mph to the turn. The return leg was a very different matter with 15-20mph average speeds. Fenwick was able to overcome Aitkens slight advantage at the front of the race and continued to pull away recording the fastest cycle of 1.03.21. In the womens race Henderson stretched her advantage over Aitken and recorded 1.14.59. Cycle of the day went to John William Simpson who used his bike power to move all the way from 8th place after the swim to 3rd place off the bike with a 1.06.23, the second fastest cycle on the day. Another mention goes to Stephanie Bain who rode her standard hybrid bike with wide tyres and flat handlebars and put us all to shame with our expensive carbon race bikes.
The run route along the Sullom road proved to be a worthy test with a headwind and mainly uphill run out to the turn point but at least providing an easier run back in. In the mens race Fenwick found some good run legs and recorded 37.36 to finish under his 2 hour target with 1.57.55. The next places were much closer and despite the fast finishing Bonar Barclay recording 42.47 for his 10km run Aitken was able to hold him off and finish 2nd and 3rd respectively. Henderson continued to dominate the womens race and with a 46.00 run took the victory in 2.17.35 ahead of Sanna Aitken and Catherine Williamson. In the team competition Ruth Christie took the team home strongly and the club are delighted they stepped up to the challenge and really hope it inspires other teams to give triathlon a go. Overall performance on the day went to JW Simpson who had the best complete race of his triathlon career and bodes well for next season. Other performances of note were from Catherine Williamson who finished really strongly and looked like she could do another one straight away and to Moraig Lyall who has completed all three of our triathlons this year including this, her first standard distance one.
Thanks for the running of the event go to Mandy Ridland for the timekeeping, Gee Zissler, Alexis Smith and Babs Ross for the lane counting and Derek Ross and Mel Mayo for the marshalling out on the roads.
The Club would like to thank Malakoff Ltd for their support of the club and also thank the Brae staff for use of the facilities. With this the last summer event of the year the focus now moves to autumn and winter training with Club Duathlons, 10k/5k Runs, cycle turbo training and swim sessions all planned and starting from October. See the club website or group facebook page for more details of the upcoming sessions.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Brae Sprint Triathlon - 26/07/2015
​
Sunday saw the annual running of the Shetland sprint triathlon up in Brae and for the first time in a number of years the conditions were about perfect for the 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. 13 individuals and 1 team took part with 2 swim heats taking place in the Brae leisure centre.
Best swim times on the day went to 2 members of Shetlands top sporting family with Andy and Sanna Aitken recording times of 9.52 and 10.58 respectively, this gave them both good leads over the other competitors going into the bike leg. Other swim times of note were from Aimee Strachan, swimming in a team with Mandy Ridland and Mel Mayo, a South African now living and working in Shetland who was taking part in her first triathlon.
Onto the bike and it was clear that Andy Aitken had the bit between his teeth as he powered north through Northmavine with Peter Fenwick doing his best to keep him in check. Even so at the end of 20km the gap from the swim had been maintained and with bike times just 3 seconds apart Aitken entered transition with a lead over Fenwick of nearly a minute. In the womens event Sanna Aitken who had swum in the first heat had a big lead but was unable to know how she was positioned as her nearest competitor in Georgina Zissler has swum in the second heat. As in the mens event it was clear that with similar bike times on the day it was going to come down to the run to decide the winner. A couple of strong rides came from John William Simpson with a 34.32 and Moraig Lyall with a 44.30, both used these fast times to move themselves up the field after their swims.
With just the run to complete Fenwick entered transition as Aitken was leaving and with a couple of words with his rival to spur him on the former set about the chase on the 5km run. Despite not being sure about the legs off the bike Fenwick was slowly able to reel him in and just at the halfway point was able to put a burst in and overtake him. The gap increased a bit by the finish but with a run time of 19.01 it was clear that Fenwick had done just enough to take the win on the day. Although the two “lead” women weren’t able to have the same head to head race a similar situation played out with Zissler able to put in the fastest womens run time of 21.30 to overtake Aitken in the virtual standings and take the win by a couple of minutes. The winning times were 1.04.32 for Fenwick and 1.16.14 for Zissler. Also running well on the day were Bonar Barclay, who ran himself into third place with a 19.37 and Catherine Williamson who maintained her place with the second fastest womens run time of 23.48.
Results: Peter fenwick 1.04.32, Andy Aitken 1.05.36, Bonar Barclay 1.09.30, JW Simpson 1.14.05, Gee Zissler 1.16.14, Sanna Aitken 1.18.03, Laurence Little 1.22.27, Neil Pirie 1.26.03, Maurice Inkster 1.27.35, Catherine Williamson 1.27.54, Moraig Lyall 1.31.17, Mel Mayo 1.34.13, Aimee Strachan/Mandy Ridland 1.40.48, Alexis Smith 1.42.33.
It was also great to see Neil Pirie representing East Fife triathlon club who had travelled up from south and Alexis Smith, returning to triathlon following her marathon exploits of the spring. Big thanks go to Frances Hutchison for organising the race and all the helpers and marshals on the day.
We have a break in August from local racing before our next club events on the 5th/6th September with the junior triathlon and the Malakoff Shetland Standard triathlon. As ever check details on facebook or the website.
Brae Novice Triathlon - 31/05/2015
​
Shetland Triathlon Club's summer of events kicked off in Brae on Sunday with their annual Novice Triathlon. Having been a feature on Shetland's sporting calendar for a few years now it has grown in popularity at each time of asking. Comprising of a 400m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run this shorter distance triathlon has always been aimed at attracting newcomers to the sport, with more of an emphasis on 'completion rather than competition'. Of the 18 who took part 10 had never raced in a triathlon before, and the broad range of ages and abilities goes to show that whatever category you fall into you can always come and have a go. Along with the newbies were a few familiar faces and a few of the Island Games team who were using the event to brush up on transitions and race-day preparations.
After a quick race briefing explaining the route and the rules, the entrants were set off in 2 heats in the water. Everyone was allocated a lane which matched their ability, and left to complete the 24 lengths using whatever stroke(s) they wished. After exiting the pool it was a quick dash out the fire exit into Transition 1 where their bikes, helmets, trainers and clothes awaited them. While the more seasoned tri-suit clad athletes were out the pool and on their bikes in under a minute, some of the more inexperienced took their time in making sure everything was in place for the cycle leg. With a brisk south-easterly headwind out to the bike turn a few of the field were beginning to question why they had signed up, but as any cyclist knows this effort is always rewarded with a welcome tailwind to bring you home again. All but 1 bike made it back to Transition 2, an unfortunate slipped chain brought one young competitors day out to a premature end.
With the bikes racked back in transition the 10 first-timers got their first taste of 'jelly legs' as they set off on the run. The sensation that your legs are still riding a bike takes a few hundred metres to shake off but once they found their stride there was no stopping them. Some fine running saw everyone cross the finish line, there were even a few smiles peppered through the grimaces of pain and exhaustion.
Shetland Tri Club spokesman Andy Aitken said "Its been another great turnout for another great event. There were a few pre-race nerves from a few of the new faces but everyone has done themselves proud and the feedback has been 100% positive. I think its important to have these shorter events as it gets folk who normally wouldn't consider taking part in a triathlon to come and give it a crack. You don't have to be super-fit and have all the fancy kit to join in, and that's the message the club is trying to spread."
Jake Porter Duathlon - 26/04/2015
​
For the third year running the Jake Porter Duathlon Championships attracted large numbers of individual and team competitors all looking to test themselves on the Tingwall course and in the process raise funds for the Childrens Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS). After providing invaluable care for Jake, whom the race in named in memory of, CHAS continues to provide support for families from Shetland and the Triathlon club are proud to continue to support the cause.
With the weather at least providing dry conditions albeit with a strong westerly breeze the 19 individuals and 22 teams set out to tackle the 2.1 mile run, 13.5 mile cycle and 2.1 mile run. Leading out the race on the first run was Alan Williamson of team MacGandhi part 2 with a fast 12.45 followed by individual competitor Bonar Barclay with a 12.58. First female into transition was Lynsey Henderson with a 14.10. Other good first runs from the teams came from Manson Scobie, the Dream Team and HIE Shetland. Out onto the bike and in the team competition Robin Atkinson of team Panther Limas set about trying to catch Callum MacGregor from MacGhandi which he managed to do on the return leg with the fastest bike split of the day of 33.58. It was noted afterwards that Macgregor had the unfortunate issue of his bike saddle slipping down giving the impression he was cycling a childs bike with his knees by his ears- we can only hope Kevin Jones was able to take a photo of this! In the individual competition Henderson extended her lead on the bike whilst Pete Fenwick was able to overcome Barclays lead from the run and move into the lead in the mens competition. Standout team cycles came from Team Velociraptor, Da Smith Stragglers and Team A&V although all the cyclists did particularly well in the breezy conditions. Onto the last run and despite having a lead Panther Limas were unable to hold off the fast running Williamson and for the second year in a row Team MacGandi were victorious. Runners up were Joan Smith and Atkinson of Panther Limas and rounding off the podium were team Manson Scobie. In the individuals Fenwick was able to maintain a lead over Barclay despite the latters faster run with JW Simpson making up the mens top three. In the female competition Henderson took the win from Georgina Zissler in second and Sanna Aitken in third. All the individuals and teams deserve a huge congratulations for their efforts but it is also down to the timekeepers, marshalls, the Tingwall hall committee and the Red Cross that the event is able to take place so a massive thank you to them as well. In summing up the event, Jakes mum June Porter added- “It was another brilliant day and I was delighted to see so many folk taking part. It means a lot to know that Jakes memory is helping to raise funds to support the valuable services provided by CHAS”.
Although the total fundraising amount is still to be confirmed the money from entries, raffle on the day, Sunday teas and other generous donations is expected to exceed £2000 so once again a huge thanks to everyone who contributed.
The full results are up on the tri club facebook page and will soon appear on our website. One last thanks go to JW Grays for the event support and to the club sponsor Malakoff Ltd. Our next event is the novice triathlon on the 31st May in Brae.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
January Winter Duathlon - 08/02/2015
Breezy day at Tingwall for re-scheduled duathlon
Just 5 triathletes decided to brave the less than ideal conditions for the rescheduled January duathlon at Tingwall on Sunday where strong gusts made conditions on the bike tricky. The weather over the last couple of months has meant that the last winter event was held way back at the end of November and because of this the club was keen to get an event underway.
It was Andy Aitken who took up the pace on the first run with John William Simpson not far off and the two of them entering transition just a few seconds apart. Lynsey Henderson as ever was leading the womens race but she was kept honest by Gee Zissler and they both had a good battle over the 2.1 mile loop with Henderson entering transition 15 seconds ahead. Wendy Hatrick also had a strong first run recording 16.14, a great effort in the strong wind.
It was the bike leg where the race was to be decided for both the mens and womens race however and right from the start Simpson and Henderson showed good strength around the re-routed bike course which took competitors twice round the 6.2 mile laxfirth loop. This was done to avoid strong westerly cross winds on the normal course. With bikes times of 34.38 and 42.00 respectively Simpson and Henderson put over two minutes into Aitken and Zissler to ensure they both went onto the second run in dominant positions. Despite the two chasers recording faster second run times than the leaders it was never going to be enough to catch them and Simpson and Henderson took well deserved wins on the day. After a really good bike leg Hatrick had slight cramp in transition before the last run but soon got going to get the last run completed and come home for a good finish.
Results: John William Simpson 1.06.02, Andy Aitken 1.07.50, Lynsey Henderson 1.14.20, Gee Zissler 1.17.25, Wendy Hatrick 1.24.35.
The next winter duathlon is on the 22nd of February 11am at Tingwall hall and is open to anyone wanting to come and have a go. Teams are especially welcome and it provides an ideal opportunity to come and try the course out before the annual Jake Porter Duathlon Championships on the 26th April. We always have a big entry for this event and Sunday teas and all proceeds go to the Childrens Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS). For any more details or club training info go to our facebook page or www.shetlandtriclub.com.
