PICTURES - Triathletes make a splash in record breaking Nairn Triathlon
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THERE were local triumphs as a record number of hardy triathletes braved the waves for the Nairn Triathlon.
Inverness athlete Catriona Forsyth and Edinburgh’s Craig Dale retained their Nairn Triathlon titles by winning the sprint events for a second year running.
In the standard distance, Inverness athletes Graeme Stewart and Halina Rees won first place.
Para-triathlete Danny Gordon won his category, while James Thompson and Toni Wilkes came first in the novice section.
For the first time, the annual event – run by the Triathlon Inverness club and backed by Triathlon Scotland – gave athletes a choice of three distances.
The novice event had 17 taking part and featured a 400m swim, a 10km bike ride and a 3km run. The sprint saw 72 athletes take on a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and a 5km run. Some 35 athletes tested themselves in the new standard distance race, completing a 1500m swim, 40km bike ride and a 10km run.
Although the sun was shining, a breezy Nairn left athletes contending with some bumpy waves.
Barry Sturrock, who travelled from Falkirk to take part, was attracted by the beautiful location.
“It is great to have an event like this in the Highlands. It was a whole bunch of faces I’ve not seen before and a beautiful place to compete,” he said.
Anne Bavelaar, taking part in her first triathlon since having a baby 10 months ago, lives 50 metres from the starting line.
“It felt great to be back competing and the amazing weather makes it so much more enjoyable,” she said. “It was my first time doing this triathlon, but it was a fantastic home race for me.”
Triathlon Inverness relies on fundraising support and the event would not have been possible without a dedicated team of volunteer marshals and organisers.
“It is great fun, but it is about safety too, checking bikes and making sure everyone is safe,” volunteer and club member Sharon Meek said.
Andrea McColl from the organising team was also delighted by the success of the event’s second sea swim.
“There were many new and experienced competitors having a great time,” she said.
“A big thank you goes to Triathlon Scotland who awarded the club a grant to invest in the event.
“We were lucky to have lots of friendly marshals from the Triathlon Inverness club and the local community to make it a safe and enjoyable day out.”
n Para-triathlon wheelchair winner: Danny Gordon (01:40:25); female, standard distance: Halina Rees (02:18:23), Georgina Fenwick (02:21:15), Ruth Hills (02:28:02); open category: Graeme Stewart (01:59:54), Richard Hills (02:04:47), Neil Robb (02:08:45); female, sprint: Catriona Forsyth (01:16:16), Samantha Macleod (01:18:41), Gillian Sangster (01:23:02). Open winners, sprint: Craig Dale (01:04:04), Barry Sturrock (01:07:48), Tim Dyer (01:10:54)
