Weekend Update 6th 7th August
FRIDAY 5th AUGUST GUILDFORD AQUATHLON
Trevor Harvey competed last Friday at the Aquathlon organised by Phoenix Tri Club, at Guildford Lido. It appears doing a race after returning from abroad is quite the thing this weekend, see below. Trev was running along Lima prom in Peru on Wednesday. He reported in with:-
An extremely difficult race – the difficulty lies in getting round the M25 on a Friday night in time for the start!!! A 500m swim in Guildford Lido followed by a 5k run round the park. This is a great venue, a warm summers evening, outdoors in a 50m pool as the photo above testifies.
The race was the last in a series of 4 held throughout the summer; with Trev having competed at 2 of them. A well organised event, and a chance for a well earned burger afterwards with brov , who was acting as the BTF Race Technical Official again .
SATURDAY 6th AUGUST ISLE OF WIGHT PIER TO PIER SWIM
Anthony Towers reported on quite an established event, The Pier to Pier Swim; 2016 marking its 64th year.
The event used to be true to its name until Shanklin Pier was blown down in the storm of 1987. Since then the event has retained its name and the route has stayed the same. It is about 1.6 miles across the bay from Sandown Pier to the beach at Shanklin in front of the sailing club and is assisted by a strong current. This year, it coincided with a spring tide so times were quicker than usual. The winning man completed the swim in 31 minutes.
Competitors are issued with numbers in the order they register so there is no seeding like in many triathlon events. At the start you line up in number order across the beach close to the pier with men in one line and ladies behind. The start is in two waves men first then two minutes later the ladies. Several years ago the start was actually from the pier and competitors leaped into the water.
Frantic mass start with a bun fight out to the first buoy about 100 meters straight out then a right turn and swim for the headland. The direct line is to the lift tower shaft but it seems that a line slightly further out to the left of this is better to make sure you get the best of the current. Although a line closer to the shore might feel preferable and safer. The local RNLI and kayakers keep a close eye on everyone which is very reassuring. This year conditions were fairly typical with a fresh headwind chopping up the surface of the water making breathing and sighting quite tricky.
As you approach the beach at Shanklin and draw level with the lift tower, a second buoy marks the right turn to swim to the beach. Once you are able to stand, you run up the beach a few metres to the finish line under a balloon arch.
It was difficult to settle into a regular rhythm as combined with the chop was a rolling swell so sometimes your arm was swamped as you recover or you pitch into the next swell with almost the top half of your body out of the water.
It is strictly non wet suit and the field usually includes very high standard swimmers. This year there was a large turnout from London Polytechnic Water Polo team who seemed to dominate in the prizes.
A very well run event. Good weather, a day out including a boat ride across the Solent and a train ride on the old Northern Line underground trains.
Great that Tuff Fitty could be represented by a team of four which comprised myself; Susan Douglas, Alice Gatland and Nikki Gatland
SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST – WALTON ON THAMES MARATHON
Dom Amey has reported in:- There were 3 of us up in Walton for the Phoenix Running Summer Marathon yesterday. I went up with Glenn Parisi and we met Chris Levitt at the leisure centre which was being used as the event centre. Phoenix Running offer low key, good value events and there were only just over 100 competitors in this one, quite a contrast to the big city marathon experience.
The route was along the river bank (race briefing about the unmarked route told us “If you can’t see the river, then somehow you are lost. Retrace your steps until you can see the river and you’re found.”) and we had to do 4 laps on the towpath to complete the distance.
It was certainly a warm one and the section of the course which had no shade and no breeze became known as “the oven” and was more feared each lap as the temperature rose.
The 3 of us ran together for most of the first 2 laps and having company helped the first half of the race pass quite quickly, even if Glenn was getting grumpier and grumpier as his jetlag/time zone confusion properly kicked in. The last lap was definitely tough although I did manage to get back in to a decent rhythm for the final few miles to finish in 4h37. Chris came in just after at 4h52 and Glenn crossed the line wondering if a marathon the day after returning from the US was such a great idea in 5h34.
Only 20 competitors finished the flat, fast course in sub 4 hours which perhaps gives some idea of how much heat was a factor but overall a great day out and for medal hunters and those searching for a pb course (on a cooler day) this one comes highly recommended. The photo above was at the start before the smiles got wiped by the heat!
SATURDAY 6th AUGUST – BOURNEMOUTH WIGGLE SPORTIVE.
Whilst hubby Chris was pounding Thames Towpaths, Leanne Levitt headed to Bournemouth for latest Wiggle Sportive. The route explored the countryside and surrounding scenery in the counties of Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. Balancing quiet rural roads, outstanding natural beauty and packing in three testing climbs in Win Green, Bulbarrow and Milton Abbas. Leanne choose the ‘short distance but this still comprised a course of 48 Miles, with an elevation gain of 1236 ft. Leanne cycled home to receive her Wiggle medal with a silver award – well done.
SUNDAY 7th AUGUST BOGNOR REGIS TRIATHLON
The second year of the Bognor Tri, run by Awesome Sports. There was a choice of a Sprint Tri: 400m Swim, 24k Bike, 5k Run or Standard Tri of:- 800m Swim, 37k Bike, 10k Run = This section will be updated as more details are received but it appears we had five Tuff’s present
A superb result from Matt Whittaker in the Standard distance race as he stormed home 3rd place overall; fantastic; in a time of 1:52:05. Following him home in 10th place overall, Martin Hawkins in 2:04:05. First in his age group Bob Thomas completed the Tuff trio at this distance.
In the sprint there were two more great results. Ollie McDonald finished 8th overall in a time of 1:01:25, and Adam Parsons, 28th overall in 1:11:58
A great set of results, well done all.
6th AUGUST PARK RUN – WORTHING
Tuff’s continue to pop up at Park Runs; this Saturday there was a Tuff duo at the Worthing Park Run; Danny Cunnett, speeding across in a useful 20:13 and Jay McCardle in 22:46 – good work guys. NOTE:- Next Saturday 13th August is the last race in our STRUN – Summer Tuff Run Series and the venue is….Worthing Park Run. So if you haven’t tried Park Run yet, or if you have, and wish to have a canter out with fellow Tuff’s, what a great opportunity to try.
What have you been up to? You have worked hard for your latest result. Whilst you may have the medal or T-shirt, have you got your recognition here? Please find the time to report in with where you have been racing. A picture would also be brilliant. Please email clive.harvey@tinyworld.co.uk
