RACE REPORT - Eton Super Sprints, Dorney Lake, Eton – Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May
• Sprint triathlon - 400m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
• Kids Scootathlon – 400m scoot, 400m bike, 250m run
Over the weekend of 16th & 17th May, 2000 athletes, and just as many spectators, descended upon Dorney Lake, nr Windsor for the biggest triathlon of the year so far, organised by Human Race Events.
Overall male winner on the Saturday, was Peter Slijkhuis in the fastest time of the weekend in, considering the conditions, a superb 56:01. In the women’s event, it was Leigh Harvey who took the honours in 1:04:05. Nicola Boyd – in 2nd place overall and winner of her age group wave (25-29) – was in for an extra surprise as boyfriend and fellow triathlete Steve Tate, dropped to one knee and proposed to her on the finish line and much to the delight of the Human Race team and spectators, she of course said ‘yes’!. Many congratulations to them both!
Sunday’s event didn’t have the excitement of marriage proposals, but saw better weather and some great racing with previous Ballbuster winner, Emma Smith, take the title in the women’s race 1:03:52 and Mark Yeoman (Sigma Sport/Viceroys TC) as the overall winner in a superb 56:55. Hayley Yelling (GB 10km runner and former European Cross Country Champion) who is trying her hand at triathlon having retired in 2008, posted the 2nd fastest run ‘overall’ on Sunday winning her wave (35-39) and finished in a very credible 1:12:36.
OFFICIAL RESULTS (amended from provisional)
Saturday
Men
1st Peter Slijkhuis 0:56:21, 2nd Lee Charles (Berkshire Tri Squad) 0:58:22, 3rd Paul Perry (Thames Turbo) 59:13
Women
1st Leigh Harvey 1:04:05, 2nd Nicola Boyd (Optima RT) 1:07:56, 3rd Tasmin Neale (Eton Tri Club) 1:08:59
Sunday
Men
1st Mark Yeoman (Sigma Sport/Viceroys TC) 56:55, 2nd Michael Howell 58:01, 3rd Charles Ashwanden (Eton TC) 58:43
Women
1st Emma Smith 1:03:52, 2nd Sandra Blenkinsop (Kingfisher Triathletes) 1:08:05, 3rd Melissa Brand (Tri London) 1:08:23
AGE GROUP WINNERS
Saturday
Junior Neil Tandy 1:12:38
20-24 Samuel Fuller 1:15:39 Tahra Johnson 1:29:45
25-29 John Fruen 1:05:13 Nicola Boyd 1:07:56
30-34 Peter Slijkhuis 56:21 Josie Perry 1:10:06
35-39 Lee Charles 58:22 Leigh Harvey 1:04:05
40-44 Mark Hayman 1:03:10 Elaine Pye 1:14:46
45-49 Robert Wooldridge 1:05:29 Amanda Benstead 1:17:46
50-54 Kevin Ormerod 1:04:23 Beverley Childs 1:09:18
55-59 Ray Kearsey 1:08:18 Lynda Chase 1:18:26
60-64 David Davidson 1:15:06 Christine Bailey 2:17:25
65-69 John Carter 1:30:31
75-79 Samuel Starbrook 1:54:16
AGE GROUP WINNERS
Sunday
Youth Josh Harris 1:15:56 Renate Fromson 1:19:13
Junior Adam Percival 1:03:32 Gabriella Lai 1:11:51
20-24 Kyle Kearey 1:00:15 Cherry-Lee Axsel 1:20:09
25-29 Joseba Iztueta 1:01:09 Emma Smith 1:03:52
30-34 Michael Howard 58:01 Melissa Brand 1:08:23
35-39 Mark Yeoman 56:55 Hayley Yelling 1:12:36
40-44 Charles Ashwanden 58:43 Carol Francis 1:15:25
45-49 Mark Thomas 1:01:20 Sandra Blenkinsop 1:08:05
50-54 Toby Strickland 1:04:03 Nicky Deane-Simmons 1:15:59
55-59 Ian Birch 1:08:15 Christine Glew 1:16:47
60-64 Michael Coates 1:15:15 Brenda Bozwood-Davies 1:35:16
65-69 Mike Gunnell 1:24:49 Sandra Simpson 2:32:42
Scootathlon
Earlier in the morning, 190 excited youngsters – with their equally excited parents cheering them on - took part in their very own mini ‘triathlon’. For 4-8 year olds, the kids ‘Scootathlon’, eliminates the need for a swim’ section, and the children tackle a 400m scoot, 400m bike and 250m run. The perfect introduction to the sport of ‘triathlon’ the focus is on fun and participation, so there are no winners prizes and the distances are short and manageable. All the kids got a medal and t-shirt as a memento of their special day. The next scootathlon is on 24th May.
