Gary Wrights reports from the inaugural Couple Challenge Middle Distance Triathlon, which took place last weekend at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland. Full results HERE.

Official photographs from the event are available HERE. Many thanks to Kaleel Zibe Photography for the images below.

The Couple Challenge Race Report - July 24th, 2010
1.9 km swim / 86 km bike / 19.6 km run

Saturday lunchtime saw the start of a new era of racing with Newbiggin-by-the-Sea hosting the inaugural Couple Challenge Middle Distance Triathlon, the first half iron-distance race to be held in Northumberland.

On what was a perfect day for racing in a picture perfect coastal town, Ebb and Flo, the sculptured ‘Couple’ standing on the recently built breakwater that protects the bay, proudly watched over the athletes in the 1.9 km swim beneath their feet in the relatively warm 15.1 degree North Sea.

Competitors from literally all corners of the UK and beyond lined up for the beach start at noon and on the sound of the claxon it was a 20m dash into the water with Alan Copland of Blackhawk Bikes making a strong start quickly gaining a gap on David Barker (Tri Northumberland) and Del Pitcher (Police Sport UK) battling it out for second and third to the first buoy.

Copland exited the water in 24:20 almost 2:30 up on Pitcher and Barker with the main pack a further two minutes back that included top local veterans Ian Simon (Alnwick Tri), Michael Little (Tyne Tri) and Mick Golightly (Total Racing Int).

Helen Jones (Alnwick Tri) headed the women’s field out of the sea in 28:47 with a two minute advantage over Angela Wylie (One Life Racing) with Diane Chaney (Ryton Tri) not far behind in 3rd place.

A mile out of town the flat and fast two lap bike course took the competitors up through the beautiful Northumberland coastal route to the turn around at Amble. A slight tailwind on the way out made for a more difficult second half allowing no rest for the legs. A feed station at the end of the lap providing High Five 4:1 drinks, gels and bananas gave a little relief before a couple of false flats finished off the loop.

Only 16 seconds separated Copland and Barker's bike splits over the 86 km leg with both extending their lead from the swim. Pitcher was caught from the chasing pack which entered T2 over seven minutes back.

Jones maintained her position from the swim leg in the women's race but Helen Trees put in a superb effort on the bike to gain back four minutes and move into second place before the run. Angela Kidd (Edinburgh RC) also gained position and moved up to 3rd place overall.

The tough part of the race was about to start with the 4-lap run course along the promenade and back with an extended loop at each end around the Millennium Stone at the iconic Church Point with the many hundreds of cheering spectators and supporters that lined the course.

Quickly out of T2 local favourite Barker set off in hot pursuit of Copland who was competing in his first middle distance race hoping to slowly eat in to the 2:46 minute lead he had. Ian Simon led the chase pack a further 4: 47 back and was hoping his running form would get him in the mix. By lap three Barker had closed the deficit to Copland dramatically to well under a minute and the race was on to take top spot.

Meanwhile in the women’s race it was Tree’s leading the charge out of T2 and looking strong to take the win overtaking Jones and ahead of Kidd; and that is how the podium would remain. Anita Jones (Brighton Phoenix Tri) put in a tremendous effort on the run with the women’s fastest run split and missed out on the podium by only 47 seconds.

The men’s race was really hotting up with Copland, Barker and Simon well clear of the pack and with the 3rd lap coming to an end the gaps seemed to remain unchanged. However, drama was about to unfold as Simon found his legs and somehow found another gear to put in an amazing effort on his last lap as Barker, who beginning to fade after being unable to make up the deficit on Copland, had a battle on his hands to hang on to second. Passing the finish line for the penultimate time and half a lap to go and with everyone’s quads screaming in agony, Simon piled on the pressure and had Barker in his sights within 250m. With Copland home to take the win and the trophy Barker managed one last effort over the final 400m to claim second place only nine seconds ahead of Simon in third rounding off the podium.

The Couple, the unique commission by INSPIRE and was the creation of sculpture Sean Henry and stands on the breakwater looking out to Sea in the bay, where the swim takes place. Comprising two five metre tall bronze figures – a man and a woman, colloquially known as Ebb and Flo - the Couple reflect a shared experience, and, by looking out to Sea with their backs to the shore creates an air of mystery by keeping the figures anonymous.

Inspire kindly donated a replica by Sean Henry and now Copland was the proud owner of this unique trophy, promising to return in 2011 to defend it and said at the finish if it were not for the fantastic support from the marshals and the cheering supporters lined all along the prom, he would have retired, “but how could I with all that support?”.

Already looking forward to next year’s race.

Results

Overall Men

1) Alan Copland – Blackhawkbikes.com – 03:59:49
2) David Barker – Tri Northumberland – 04:01:42
3) Ian Simon – Alnwick Tri – 04:01:51

Overall Women

1) Helen Trees – 04:40:22
2) Helen Jones – Alnwick Tri – 04.43.24
3) Angela Kidd – 04.46.58

Overall Relay

1) Old farts - 04:58:49
2) Bella’s boys – Tri Northumberland - 05:01:22
3) 2 blondes and a ginger - Bolton Metro Tri Club - 05:13:01

OWS Couple Challenge 1500m

16 year old Lauren Aisbit from Alnwick  SC was first out the water, followed closely by 15 year old Daniel  Rushton who must be liking OWS having recently finished 7th in the Northumberland OWS Challenge in June. There was a rush over the next few minutes with bulk of field finishing closely together. It was great to see so many people who attend Tri Northumberland training sessions and coached by MVSport and Tri4U completing their first 1500m swim – well done to you all.

1) Lauren Aisbitt - Eyemouth + alnwick  - 27:49
2) Daniel Ruston - Tynedale ASC - 28:27
3) Dominic Johnston - Newcastle City SC - 29:38

OWS Couple Challenge 3000m

Colin Hill used the 3K OWS for his preparation in yet another Channel Swim, having completed the Channel swim three times before (isn’t once enough?!) – Colin had the luxury of a wetsuit today under BTF rules in the 15.1 degree water, and powered through the water winning by quite a margin from Tyne Tri’s Michael Downes who comfortably secured second place from Tony Greener. Colin and Michael raced at a faster pace than the 1500m placing respectively – awesome!

1) Colin Hill – unattached - 50:49
2) Michael Downes - Tyne Tri - 56:26
3) Tony Greener – Newcastle City SC - 59:03

Full OWS results available from http://trinorthumberland.sweat365.com/couple-swim-challenge/