STRATFORD Triathlon Club member Eloise Du Luart turned on the style when she competed in Saturday’s Ironman 70.3 in Luxembourg, writes Victoria Jeffs.
The 22-year-old, who is has just started competing as a full-time athlete, was fresh back from injury having broken a collarbone ten weeks ago, so it was always hit and miss as to whether she would get to the start line.
However, after much rehabilitation, support and determination, she was there.
After a steady swim she exited the water to complete a stunningly quick transition time before proving all the turbo training during her recovery was paying off as she posted a ride split which was the second fastest of the day in her age group.
Once out on the run she knew this is where her strength lies and she powered through the half-marathon run course to finish seventh lady overall, beating many of the elite athletes on the day and coming first in her age group (18-24yr).
Eloise’s result: (1,900m swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run) – swim 27:39, T1 1:48, bike 2:37:43, T2 1:23, run 1:32:10 – total 4:40:43.
ON SUNDAY STC member Jamie Lyall was competing in the Stourport Marine Lake Triathlon – a super speedy and flat course – so perfect for achieving a personal best.
This event is always popular and is part of the ETU European Championships. With 397 competitors in the sprint event, Lyall had a great swim, then entering the bike leg he powered past many of his rivals to take advantage of the fast and flat course.
A speedy run leg meant he finished 14th in his age group on the day.
Jamie’s result: (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) – swim 12:21, T1 3:46, bike 34:58, T2 1:48, run 19:20 – 14th in age group (40-44).
STC athletes were out in force at the locally-run Avenger Triathlon set in the iconic grounds of Ragley Hall on Sunday. With sprint, Olympic and middle distance races going on as well as a traditional 10km run only, there was plenty of variety for club members.
With 118 competitors in the middle distance race and in his first half-iron distance event, Pete Wharton was expecting a time around the six-hour mark and was delighted with his 5:28:32 finishing time.
This was a training race for Wharton as his main focus remains the Ironman UK in July. A 38th placed overall is an incredible achievement.
In the Olympic race, once again Richard Shephard dominated the field by taking first place in a field of 109 competitors. This was a warm-up race for Shephard, who is set to compete in the toughest half-ironman race in the world.
Not only were his times at Avenger fast, but his run time was blisteringly quick and, had he also competed in the 10km stand alone run, he would also have won that by over two minutes.
Yvonne Caswell, in training for the Olympic distance European Championships in Geneva this year, was in great form. Her strong swimming always sets her up for a good start and she powered home on a tough run course to finish sixth female overall.
Richard Eden, in his first ever foray at this distance, had a great swim and strong bike leg but struggled somewhat on the run course. In his normal positive frame of mind he is setting his sights on another event in the near future.
In the sprint event, with a field of 75 competitors, Pippa Bailey continued her good form by getting home as 11th female and 33rd overall – a very creditable performance all-round.
Results: (sprint – 660m swim, 22km bike, 5km run; Olympic – 1,300m swim, 51km bike, 10km run; middle – 1,900m swim, 90km bike, 21km run).
Middle – Pete Wharton – swim 41:37, T1 1:48, bike 2:59:30, T2 1:34, run 1:44:05 – total 5:28:32, 38th overall.
Olympic – Richard Shephard – swim 20:48, T1 0:48, bike 1:19:52, T2 1:33, run 33:01 – total 2:16:00, 1st overall; Yvonne Caswell – swim 24:00, T1 1:13, bike 1:46:51, T2 1:37, run 47:33 – total 3:01:14, 6th female; Richard Eden – swim 35:19, T1 4:16, bike 2:09:49, T2 1:25, run 1:21:09 – total 4:11:57.
Sprint – Pippa Bailey – swim 16:47, T1 1:21, bike 46:40, T2 1:25, run 24:36 – total 1:30:12, 11th female.
