Arundel Lido Triathlon
What a ‘fantastic day at the office’ for Tuff Fitty at Arundel Lido Triathlon. Club kit was prominent;, club members on the organising team, and some tremendous results from the squad. There was a vast array of experience with Tuffs who have been competing since last century and what was so rewarding was to see at least two members finish their first ever triathlon, both with huge smiles on their faces. The strength and depth of Tuff Fitty on display certainly made an impact as we have one person already looking to become a Tuff who trained with us; with two more who competed getting in contact since Sunday.
ARUNDEL LIDO STANDARD DISTANCE
The first race off at 6am was the standard distance of 750m swim, 35km bike / 8.4km run with the cycle taking competitors on the climb up to Whiteways Lodge, down Fairmile Bottom to Slindon and back along the A27 before doing the same for a second lap. The run was the route up to the Park’s Lion & Unicorn gate before the switchback road out to South Stoke and return.
We had eight competitors competing with James Mapley crossing the line third overall with the above photo of James at Prizegiving. An impressive performance as James recorded the quickest bike split of the morning finishing in an overall time of just 1 hr 42. Another fantastic result from James seven days since attaining second overall at East Grinstead. Phil Scales was next across the line with his usual trademark strong run cutting his time. Next we had another podium & trophy as Liane Davids secured first in her age group by a very impressive 8 minutes over second place. Nick Bolding was next to finish attaining 6th in his age group. Jo Meaney followed gaining 4th in her age group. Sharon Tidmarsh was next to cross the line, then Janet Shepherd & Elaine Rousseau completed our amazing 8. We have a great report from Janet, amusing but very self-deprecating so it falls to the editor to point out she was 2nd in her age group, a long way ahead of 3rd
“It felt that I should have been doing the Sprint as it was a club championship event, but I’d already entered the Standard before this was announced and I do like starting earlier when there is less traffic on the road for the cycle. Unfortunately my husband came out to cheer me on at Whiteways roundabout and witnessed me, unlike practically anyone else, slowing down considerably for the roundabout and using a hand signal before turning left – no wonder I ended up with a slower time than Julie from Horsham Amphibians. However, I think I probably had the most laughs and just hope that I didn’t embarrass the Club in the process with my rather unconventional barrel roll exit from the pool – and double apologies if I got in the way of Clive (race starter), or Dan, (my lane counter). The reason for this is that I usually get cramp from jumping out in the conventional way. What I hadn’t bargained upon was the race photographer capturing the moment (see above!) and then also having to explain this to my husband, Martin, who thinks I’m a lost cause in terms of getting onto any podiums.
Janet
LIDO STANDARD DISTANCE AQUABIKE
Barry Davids had entered the Aquabike, covering the same swim and two lap bike course but being able to go straight to the finish afterwards. Barry achieved a great result gaining third overall, beating his compatriot from his previous Mid Sussex Tri Club.
ARUNDEL LIDO SPRINT TRITHLON
Next off was the Sprint race which was Tuff Fitty’s Sprint distance club championship race so attracted a very strong turnout of Twenty Eight Tuffs. Within the results there were impressive statistics. four Tuffs in the top ten; eight in the top twenty. We had six of the top twelve fastest swim splits, five of the top ten quickest bike splits, and four of the top ten quickest run splits.
In amongst these Dom Chapman secured 4th position overall 2nd in his age group,notching up the third fastest swim split. Mark Walford was 5th overall (3rd in his age group), and Tom Goddard was 6th overall strong across all disciplines .A non Tuff attained 7th 🙁 but normal service was resumed as James Togneri was 8th overall & 5th in his age group.
The good new continued with Tom Frith in 12th overall with the fourth fastest bike split of the morning & 3rd in his age group. It was fantastic to see Ollie McDonald back on the race scene, and in some style finishing 13th overall. 5th fastest swim and 6th fastest bike. Mike Barrett was 16th overall and then Andy Crawford who was 17th & reports in below:-
“Great to see so many Tuffs out racing on a great day in Arundel! Thoroughly enjoyed the race, unfortunately a mechanical on the bike forcing me to stop twice and replace my chain caused a bit of frustration. Sounds like I should probably spend a bit more time on maintenance! Great to see Clive and Trevor Harvey at the start”
Andy
Captain Adrian Oliver was next across the line in a strong 21st position and then Pete Littleboy 23rd, who has sent us his report:-
“So in my many many years of triathlon I’ve never done a sprint distance, so what better place to start & finish that career than the Arundel lido tri. Having competed and trained there many times there was no better place to take my sprint virginity and with it being a club championship it was sure to be filled with a stellar cast and so it proved. Also I had friends from outside of triathlon world competing so we had a lot of fun, and the lovely scenery on this sunny day made it all the more special. It really didn’t matter that the distances where cut short for me; it wasn’t about my time but enjoyment and to get home to watch Littlehampton town in the Wembley cup final”
Pete
Next yet another podium as Maisie Johnston finished third female overall as well as first in her age group, a brilliant result with less than two minutes behind first position overall.
Phil Turner was 25th and less than a minute behind good work from Gareth Coombes. Just 6 seconds behind came Les Pearce, and what a result as he was called up to receive a trophy for coming first in his age group.
Next home was another Arundel based Tuff as Marc Flinders used his strong run to finish in 38th position. Ross Court used his powerful bike split, and after 27 seconds Jo Baldwin also finished- fourth in her age group. Juliette Reader, Iris Bennett , Tony Pearce & Katie Goddard kept up the procession of Tuffs across the line. Sophie Garbo, Leah Simms, Kate Cooper & Vanessa Green followed. Particular congratulations to Kate & Ness . This was the first triathlon for both of them so they can be justifiably pleased with themselves. Great to see such a strong showing from our female squad with Linda James next. There was more good news as Claire Moyle crossed the line to notch up Tuff Fitty’s 10th age group podium of the day as she was 2nd in her age group. Jenny Oliver completed the Tuff squad and highlighting Jenny’s achievement there was still well over an hour to wait before the final competitor finished.
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It is justified to give a shout out to Jake Melvin in completing his first triathlon racing home in 27th position. He will be our newest Tuff having run and swum with the squad already.
For any event to take place people are required on the organising team and Tuffs were out in force with Tiff Orton, Trevor Harvey, Jon Roper and Clive Harvey working with race director Debbie Boxall to set up on the Saturday and then they, along with the following had to set the alarms really early for Sunday morning. Thanks to Jane Custance, Sheila Bailey, Vicky Cooper (before dashing off to Bognor 10k), Andy Ward & Dan Fitzgerald. Another of the lane counters was Andy Rossiter, an ex-Tuff who resolved to join us again after the event and is currently filling out the forms. With 37 Tuff competitors, plus 11 on the organising team , plus thanks to other Tuffs who came to support – we had over 50 Tuffs in the sunshine in Arundel.
What a club 🙂
