World Class Programme athletes bring the heat at Mallory Park

The Super Series action moved to Mallory Park in the East Midlands for a weekend of racing, with heats taking place on the Saturday, and finals on the Sunday. With a lake swim, followed by traffic free cycling and running legs on the motorsport track, a fast and competitive race is always expected and this weekend certainly didn’t disappoint. Following a training camp in Bath, a number of the athletes from the world class programme came to race at Mallory Park, adding even more excitement to the weekend.

Race Distances

For the Youth A and B athletes the heats consisted of a 350m swim, followed by a 6km bike, finished off with a 1.5km run. In the Final, the distances increased to a 400m swim, an 8km bike and a 2km run.

For the Juniors and Senior athletes, the heats consisted of a 350m swim, an 8km bike ride, with a 2km run at the end. For the final, distances increased across all disciplines, with the race consisting of a 400m swim, a 10km bike ride, and then a fast and furious 2.5km run.

Seniors

It was the world class programme athletes, fresh from their training camp who set the pace throughout the weekend. In a closely fought women’s senior race, recent World Triathlon Championship Series medallist, Olivier Mathias triumphed, finishing just a couple of seconds ahead of fellow world class programme athlete Tilly Anema. Jess Fullagar took home the bronze medal ahead of Sophie Alden, with Beth Cook, the first non-elite athlete, finishing in fifth.

In the open category, after a close fought race, world class programme athlete Connor Bentley took the win in the senior race, finishing just five seconds ahead of Michael Gar with Jack Stanton-Stock coming home in third.

Juniors

For the Junior athletes, the event also served as the trials for July’s European Junior Championships in Melilla, so there was a lot at stake on the course. Due to the nature of the event, they were also swimming, cycling and running alongside the Senior athletes, offering an incredible opportunity to test themselves against the elite athletes on the day.

Patience Lamb took the win in the Female Junior category, finishing around 30 seconds ahead of Anna Patterson in second place. In a close fought race for the final podium place, Helena Coy was just one second back in third.

Brandon Pye took the win for the junior men, finishing just 15 seconds behind the winner of the Senior race! Alex Robin took home the silver medal, with Rory Bryant just a few seconds further back in third place.

Youth B

Isabel Moore took the win in the female category, finishing around 20 seconds of Holly Humphreys who took the silver medal. In another close fought race, Darcy Gladwell was just three seconds behind and picked up the bronze.

It was a close race in the Open category, with Finlay Goodman taking the win after a close battle throughout with Lucas Gorrill. Will Bailey was just a few seconds back and took home the bronze medal.

Youth A

In the youngest category, for athletes born in 2009 and 2010, it was neck and neck throughout the race but Ellie Birchall took the win, finishing just two seconds ahead of Kitty Scott with Sophie Richmond just a few seconds back in third place.

In the final category, Tom Mythen claimed the gold medal, finishing around 30 seconds ahead of Jamie Lonergan who took home the silver medal. Ben Allen picked up the bronze medal to complete the medallists on the day.

Coming Up

There isn’t much rest for the Senior athletes as they are competing in Bristol this Sunday. The following week, the Paratri athletes will take centre stage at Eton Dorney on 12 July with the Youth and Junior athletes joining the Seniors at Eton Dorney on 24 August.