Report submitted by Hannah Griffiths

THE triathlon season is well underway and last weekend proved to be another triumphant success for Halesowen Triathlon Club (HTC) members.

Starting over in Tenby it was time for the Long Course Weekend Wales. Known as Wales’ biggest festival of sport the Long Course Weekend spans three days with athletes tackling a variety of events.

HTC members, Stuart Hadley, Tom Lynott, Tom Madders, Matt Brown and Mark Herman all took on two of the long course challenges with a 2.4 mile swim on Friday and the 112 mile cycle on Saturday. The guys all put in a great effort and showed that training is paying off as they prepare for Ironman Wales in September.

Competing more locally were Rhys Bastable, Steve Wood and David Mole who took on Upton Triathlon.

Opting for the sprint distance Bastable and Wood set off to tackle a 750m swim in the River Severn, 21.5km cycle before finishing with a 5km run.

Bastable maintained a steady lead for the club finishing in 1.17.29 placing him first in his age group and 8th overall. Wood wasn’t far behind clocking 1.39.00 for the event placing 16th in his age group and 114th overall. Meanwhile Mole took on the Olympic distance with a 1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run completed in 2.12.51 placing him 3rd overall.

Not letting the male members have all the fun, Catherine Wickenden headed up north to take on the Ullswater Standard Distance Traithlon.

Featuring a 1.5km swim in Ullswater, an undulating 40km cycle via Askham and Lowther and 10k final flat around Pooley Bridge this event is one of the more scenic events in the triathlon calendar.

After tackling bike issues before the starting the race, Wickenden was quickly in the racing mind frame and ready to concur the route. Clocking a 35 minute swim, 1.34.00 cycle and 58.00 run Wickenden finished with a completion time of 3.12.00.

After another fantastic weekend of racing HTC members are now looking forward to a relaxing family weekend with the club at Bosworth Water Park.