It’s race week for IRONMAN Lanzarote. 2014 winner, Lucy Gossage, will be racing again and reflects honestly on her preparations and motivations for Saturday
A chat with Great Britain’s Olympic Silver medal winner, Jonathan Brownlee, as he returns to the UK after his “crash and carry” in Yokohama on Saturday…
Jonathan Brownlee, Non Stanford and Vicky Holland are back for ITU World Triathlon Yokohama. Blair Cartmell previews the race and predicts the podiums…
Challenge Rimini 2017 in pictures – courtesy of Jose Luis Hourcade
In what was already a busy weekend of racing, there was more middle distance European action in Italy at Challenge Rimini. The Italian venue is a popular training destination and has also hosted the ITU Duathlon World Championships in past years.
From a British perspective, Hannah Drewett was the first female out of the water, while Elliot Smales had a great debut Pro race to finish fourth overall.
You can see them – and plenty more – in the image gallery above.
Every now and then you hear people say they had a book so good that they couldn’t put it down. Well, that’s what happened to me when I got a sent a press copy of the book, Redemption.
John’s life has recently been featured in this extended Trans World Sport profile, a story of which John himself says, “sport saved my life”.
Industry chat with Brian Adcock – Castle Triathlon Series founder
From one race at Hever Castle in 2009, the Castle Triathlon Series (www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk), has developed into one of the biggest names in the UK Triathlon events market, with several races all over the country – and now in Ireland and France too.
Last week they hosted the second Pop-Up City Triathlon in the financial district of Canary Wharf (full report below), and we took a visit to check out the action – and also to catch-up with founder, Brian Adcock, to talk about that event, the growth development of the Castle Series and the state of the events industry generally.
We also found out that we may well be seeing a new event in Scotland in 2018… watch and listen to the interview for more details on that one.
Hundreds of city workers sweated it out as they competed against banking rivals in Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf last week (24-27 April) in a staged event, which included 10 tonnes of water in an endless pool. The ‘Pop-Up City Triathlon is organised by Castle Triathlon Series in partnership with Novotel London Canary Wharf, Macmillan Cancer Support and KPMG, creating a huge triathlon buzz with corporates.
Lets Do This, the endurance sports listings website, took the winning slot on the competitive leader board covering an impressive distance of 4595m as their team swam for three minutes in an endless pool, cycled for four minutes on a cycle ergometer and ran for three minutes on a treadmill.
The event saw the top three teams battle for the winning spot in a Grand Final that was exceptionally close. See the full results here.
“Let’s Do This” – Pop-Up City Triathlon winners 2017
There was an impressive selection of teams taking part in the event including last year’s winner Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Lloyds, Barclays and many more. The teams were made up of three individuals, competing in one discipline each and representing the same company.
Nick Tyler, who led the team from Adelphi Capital (asset investment managers) to third place, said “Adelphi Capital were delighted to enter a team into this year’s Pop Up City Triathlon and to beat some very large City organisations to finish third in the Grand Final. We are very proud of our team of Gemma Hearn, Emmanuel Renard and Doug Bendle and will definitely be back next year.”
Lets Do This received a winning trophy, a £1,000 charity gift which they have donated to Macmillan Cancer Support, and each team member will also receive many more prizes including free races, massage, training plans and kit.
Three highest recorded distances:
Lara Nyman from Credit Suisse covered 258m in 3 minutes in the endless swimming pool
Doug Bendle from Adelphi Capital had the winning distance on the bike covering with 3.7km
Sam Browne from Lets Do This ran the winning distance of 900m in 3 mins
Pop-Up City Triathlon and Brian Adcock from Castle Triathlon Series
Race Director, Brian Adcock comments: “The event was hailed a huge success from all those taking part, spectators and partners. We successfully transported triathlon to the door-step of the corporates offices and celebrated the sport.”
The Castle Triathlon Series offer the opportunity for companies to have their own bespoke wave at their six-triathlon festivals hosted at iconic castles and stunning grounds. They also offer a hospitality tent with delectable food and drink for company members for both pre- and post-race refreshment. This year will see BBC Worldwide and the Big Four Accountancy Firms embracing the Hever Castle Triathlon for a corporate triathlon event.
At just 32 years of age, Jonathon Riall has already successfully lead the British team to the debut of triathlon at the Paralympic Games.
The Head Coach of the British Paratriathlon Team, Jonny was been part of that journey since the beginning, working for British Triathlon since leaving University and soon after that becoming the guiding light for Paratriathlon in Great Britain.
His often unseen contribution to the sport in this country is huge, but was recognised this week when he was announced at the winner of the Jane Tomlinson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Triathlon in the annual 220 Awards.
World Champion in 2014 and 2015. European Champion for the last four years. Paralympic Games Silver medallist in 2016. Lauren Steadman is one of the headline names in British Paratriathlon racing. Just this week she was announced as the Women’s Paratriathlete of the Year in the annual 220 Awards.
I spoke to Lauren in central London on Thursday, where she was taking part in a launch event for the new Garmin Forerunner 935.
While she is targeting future success in triathlon, she also has another big target to achieve this year…
Boardman Bikes and Brownlee brothers have gone their separate ways. We take at look at the similarities in their development and ask, is it the right time?
In pictures – the British excel at Challenge Gran Canaria 2017
We are very fortunate here on Tri247 to be able to bring you some fantastic race images from a small group of very talented photographers. One of those is Lanzarote-based Brit, James Mitchell (www.jamesmitchell.eu).
James has provided his services to a number of familiar names and brands in the triathlon and wider sporting community, his images regularly appearing on magazine covers and on the adverts and branding of many high-profile brands. If you are looking for a talented snapper – especially one who knows Lanzarote and its surrounds like the back of his hand – get in touch with him!
James was at the Gloria Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria on Saturday, a race that drew more than its fair share of headlines thanks to Alistair Brownlee and Daniela Ryf – and even more when Brits Emma Pallant and Lucy Charles finished ahead of the four-time world champion. Full report HERE.
It was a good day generally for the British athletes. As well as the Pro wins, Ruth Purbrook and Reece Barclay were the overall Age-Group winners, with plenty more podium finishes too.
Check out this ‘Great British’ gallery from James – scroll through the images above.
Caroline Livesey has been our ‘Brit Abroad’ for IRONMAN Texas, which saw some very speedy racing take place on Saturday in The Woodlands. You can see our round-up on the race HERE.
Having talked us through her preparations ahead of the event (see links below if you missed them), it is now time for Caroline to check-in and tell us how it all went from her perspective. Which, was rather well!
Big thanks to Caroline for providing us with her insight for this event and to husband Mark for sorting out all of the video content!
(Previous IRONMAN Texas updates from Caroline: PART ONE | PART TWO)
What happens when one of the world’s best Age-Group athletes is hit by cancer, chemotherapy and major surgery? That is exactly what happened to Gill Fullen
Caroline Livesey has agreed to be our ‘Brit Abroad’ for this weekend’s IRONMAN Texas, which also hosts the North American Championship event (meaning more prize money, more Kona points… and thus a top quality entry). We’ve also had a pre-race chat with Will Clarke.
In this first video update, Caroline looks back on some significant changes made over the winter to her own training and work environment, what motivates her to train and race as a professional and what she has been up to in the first few days of her time in The Woodlands.
What happens when a Pro triathlete gets a new bike? In the case of Lucy Gossage and her Simplon MR.T2, she seeks the expertise of bike fitter, Mike Taylor
Stunning images from the 2017 Polar Cannes International Triathlon
Sunday’s Cannes International Triathlon, one of the first major international events of the European season, saw big wins for Sebastian Kienle (GER) and Emma Bilham (SUI). Both cemented their dominance with very impressive bike splits on the challenging 95km course. (Full report HERE).
We’ve said many times how highly we rate this event, having had the chance to experience it two years ago. If you need any further convincing, check out this great image gallery courtesy of José Luis Hourcade.
Scroll through the image gallery above to see more
Earlier in the year at the Triathlon Show: London (www.triathlonshowlondon.co.uk), one of the exhibitors was a relatively new race based in Greece, the Syros Triathlon (www.syrostriathlon.gr/en). We spoke to Anna from the organising team about what the event is Syros has to offer.
Taking place from 15th to 18th June this year, the second edition of this event will host Sprint and Olympic distance events, kids triathlons, open water swimming races, 5km and 10km runs… and an obstacle swimming challenge (more on that below!).
With a wide range of independent events taking place now within Europe, alongside the more commonly attended IRONMAN and Challenge Family series races, if you are looking for an alternative to combine sport with a holiday, then perhaps the Syros Triathlon would be a great option for you. The full 2017 event schedule can be found HERE.
2016 Winner – Alice Hector
There is a British connection too; British Pro athlete Alice Hector was the winner of the Syros Triathlon on its debut, and highly recommends the experience:
“Syros Triathlon is a real ‘destination’ race. It’s a small but perfectly-maintained Greek island three hours ferry ride from Athens. It sounds like a lot of travel, but the ferries are massive and actually very relaxing! Once you arrive, the town is immaculate: you walk on marble pavements, eat the freshest food and are surrounded by crystal water. You can cycle around the island easily in an hour, taking in its several secluded beaches and quiet back roads.
“The town shuts down for the race and it’s a full weekend of festivities, with children’s races, motivational and educational speakers, and a fantastic party-style presentation.
“Well worth a visit, and making a holiday out of it too!”
Highlights from the inaugural 2016 edition of Syros Triathlon
Stuart Lumb, our resident ‘Jet Set Super Vet’ (JSSV) returned to Belgium recently for his second go at the Tour of Flanders. Here is his De Ronde report
The Giant Store St. Paul’s (www.giant-stpauls.co.uk), recently hosted a series of five triathlon special evenings from January through to March, which we’ve been covering here on Tri247. The final event of the series, and perhaps the best attended of all, was a Women in Triathlon special, held on Thursday 16th March.
Here we provide the full length video of the excellent panel discussion from the evening, which covered a wide range of topics, including fears about getting in to triathlon, experiences, gaining confidence and training tips.
The event was superbly hosted by Helen Murray (one of the voices of the Oxygenaddict Triathlon Podcast). We even had a live link in store to bring in input from Australia!
The Panel
A fantastic panel of athletes had been pulled together, from a Commonwealth Games medal winner, Kona Age-Group Champion, Britain’s oldest female Ironman finisher and more, to provide a wide topic of conversation and inputs from all perspectives. You can follow them all on Twitter via these links:
We are a great believer if you are going to do something you should do it with passion, and for Mary Wittenberg, the Global CEO of Virgin Sport (https://uk.virginsport.com), her passion has been running.
Starting off as a competitive marathon runner, then on to a successful career in Law, a return to sport saw her lead the New York Road Runners for 17 years. As well as being the first female Race Director of a major international marathon she also set up the World Marathon Majors Series.
We were fortunate to chat with Mary in London this week, a month before her latest venture with the Festival of Fitness, which will be held in Hackney on the 30th April. Paul Shanley caught up with Mary to find out more about her early career and what made her join Virgin Sport.
David McNamee heads to IRONMAN South Africa on Sunday as, in my opinion, the best IRONMAN athlete in Great Britain. Will he be first Brit across the line?
One day in, what does Super League Triathlon mean for the future of the sport? Former Scottish Triathlon Lead Coach, Blair Cartmell, gives his thoughts
“I’m looking to three-peat at the Outlaw Half Nottingham”
At last weeks Triathlon Special at the Giant Store St. Paul’s, we spoke to long-time Tri247 contributor, Karl Alexander. A member of the UK ERDINGER Alkoholfrei team, Karl was on hand all evening to keeps all the attendees refreshed through the evening!
A specialist over the Middle and Long distances, the Outlaw series of triathlons from OSB Events has become the central pillar of his season – and will be once again in 2017.
Last year Karl retained his title at the Outlaw Half Nottingham after an epic race against Simon George, Karl only taking the lead practically in sight of the finish line. Check out the picture below for evidence… He will be back, and he wants to win it again!
Check out his interview above to find our more about his plans for 2017 and what he has been up to over the winter to be fitter and faster than ever before.
Meet two-time Oympian Andy Baddeley and Team GB Olympic physiotherapist, Mark Buckingham, founders of Performance Team (http://www.performanceteam.co.uk)
Great Britain’s Vicky Holland achieved a sporting dream in 2016 at the Rio Olympic Games, winning the Bronze medal, following a head-to-head sprint finish with her great friend and long-time training partner, Non Stanford.
We spoke to Vicky at the weekend while at the Triathlon Show: London 2017 at the ExCel Centre.
During the interview we cover:
Her Olympic memories, six months on.
The ‘surreal’ feeling of an Olympic podium.
The contrast between ‘supporting’ at the Olympics and being a medal winner.
Meeting the Queen!
Leaving Leeds and re-locating to Bath.
Being “selfish” as an athlete.
Why she has no interest until long distance… until the week before Kona!
Working with High5 Nutrition
Watch the video above to find out more about Vicky’s plans over the next Olympic cycle.
Ex-England footballer talks triathlon and the Brownlee brothers
Former Leeds United footballer, Danny Mills, also played 19 times for England at senior level – which included every minute of England’s 2002 World Cup finals tournament in Korea / Japan.
Having retired from football with injury at 32 years of age, following a long period of rehabilitation, Danny has taken on a series os sporting challenges. These have included running several marathons, even completing the Brighton Marathon as a wheelchair racer to raise awareness and money for charity.
Danny Mills and triathlon…
Danny discovered triathlon over the past couple of years and has since completing two Ironman 70.3 races… with a full-distance still on his radar.
On Friday (3rd February) Danny did a great job of hosting a Q&A with the Brownlee brothers (you can watch that in full HERE), at the five year HUUB anniversary event, and shortly after that I spoke to Danny to find out more about his passion for the sport, respect for the Brownlee brothers and find out about his own triathlon goals for 2017.
The Brownlee brothers talk wetsuits, race plans, Olympics, SPOTY, Leeds United and more
Last Friday at the Engine Shed in Derby, the Brownlee brothers (www.thebrownleebrothers.com) were the star attractions at a packed event hosted by wetsuit brand HUUB to celebrate their fifth anniversary.
Having trusted the brand with their signature four years ago – at a time when the product was little more than an idea of the kitchen table of Dean Jackson – that decision has been vindicated, with another four year contract just signed, keeping them with the brand until 2020.
Danny Mills hosts…
The Q&A was very well hosted by former England and Leeds United footballer, Danny Mills. Now a keen triathlete himself with an Ironman on his radar, Danny covered a lot of areas with the Olympic Gold and Silver medallists.
Find out more about…
Why they first signed with a brand that barely had a product to offer them at that time
How racing will change for Jonathan, with Alistair not being at many of the WTS events this year
Why Alistair is not ruling out going for a third Gold in Tokyo
Jonathan’s views on the potential of the Olympics being a Sprint distance race
Why finishing second at SPOTY means “I’ve got a worse personality than Andy Murray”…
…and why winning SPOTY might not have been a good thing, “not sure I wanted to make a speech!”
HUUB founder Dean Jackson talks athlete sponsorship
“Build a relationship, become a friend… don’t just come with your hands out”
HUUB founder Dean Jackson has been involved in the triathlon industry for several decades now, across a range of blue chip brands even before he launched HUUB (www.huubdesign.com).
HUUB have just signed the Brownlee brothers to another four year contract – but Dean also support athletes of all levels from first-timers, not just those on the Olympic podium.
“Will you sponsor me?”
Having been on the end of thousands of “Will you sponsor me?” letters, emails and more, how do you stand out?
Before you start a “Dear Dean” request – be it to HUUB or any other brands – take some tips from Dean on making the right sort of approach with some simple advice from this video.
Jodie Cunnama looks ahead to IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa 2017. Despite sixth consecutive wins, she feels no extra pressure to going for a seventh victory
British Age-Group athlete Mark Livesey is getting faster with age, achieving his goal of a Sub-9 hour IRONMAN in 2016. We spoke to him to find out more.
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