Torbay Tri Club shines at Roadford triathlons and swim events

Roadford Lake played host to a variety of triathlons and swim events this weekend as Torbay Tri Club members produced top race performances, writes JON PRESSLING.

In the standard distance triathlon, Mark Colombini took the fastest club time of the day with a speedy 2.49.06 (first AG) and was followed home by Steve Waters 2.56.43 Rob Petherick 3.00.50 (second AG) Frank Reay 3.09.50 (first AG) Chris Martin 3.21.39 Andrew Chapell 3.42.03 Cassandra Harrison 3.59.15 (second AG)

In the Sprint distance triathlon race, Andy Pimm was first club member home in 1.31.04 and was joined by Bradley ‘lizardman’ Price 2.05.58

Rebecca Langman made fast work of the long-distance 5k swim in 1.14.57 as second lady and first AG while Sally-Ann Reay was over the moon with her first AG in the 1,500m swim (51.22)

Punished for their crimes against tough coaching and gruelling training sessions, Nick Cull and Jon Pressling took part in the Dartmoor Prison Break – 24 hours to escape as far as they could on foot.

A gruelling endurance challenge that combined the heat of the day and cold overnight temperatures, along with plenty of hills to navigate around, the duo crossed from Devon into Somerset and passed through Moretonhanpstead, Cullompton, Wellington, Taunton and Bridgwater to cover a huge total of 81 miles within the time limit, while also avoiding capture along the way.

Finishing sixth place from over 35 entrants, the pair kept logging the distance to the very last second as both secured their longest-ever distance by foot.

Forged in fire, Lanzarote IRONMAN has a fearsome reputation as one the toughest long distance triathlons on the circuit. The duo of Donald Brooks and Ryan Rudge headed out to the volcanic island to test themselves over the iron distance and came away with fantastic results. Donald secured a World Championship spot with an hugely impressive victory in his age group in a superb time of 9.46.48 while Ryan claimed a hard earned finishers place in a strong time of 13.05.00

David Hewet was in mid-week action at the Royal Navy Sprint Triathlon. David enjoyed a great race to finish in 1.24.23

Rachel Longthorpe enjoyed 8.5 miles of delightful woodland trails at Race the Tide. Running through the private Flete estate and hugging the river Erme, the highlight of the race is a river crossing to beat the incoming tide. Even with a tough uphill finish Rachel crossed the line in a fantastic time of 1h 27m

13.1 miles through the heart of Exeter and pretty country lanes, the Great West Run saw a team of tri club runners taking part. Ian Tyson claimed an AG win in 1.15.40 and was joined by a trio of female runners as Kate Maslin 1.34.50 (2nd AG) Kate Baldock 1.38.29 and Samara Taylor 1.57.22 all completed the half marathon distance.

Steve Waters and Katie Potter took part in the Marilyn’s Meldon Madness fell race up High Willhays. Katie not only finished second but beat 5x Olympian Jo Pavey, with the club pair finishing in 58.43

Simon Loten took on the Black Rat Sportive, which involved 5,800ft of climbing on a route which began in Bristol and headed out across the Severn Bridge past Chepstow. A tough day in the saddle saw Simon complete the challenging route on 4h 48m

Karen and Paul Frissen enjoyed a lovely day in the saddle at the Cotswold Beast Sportive. A lovely countryside route with fantastic weather, the couple completed the 63 mile course in 4h 47m