The second running of the Kendal Sprint Triathlon from the leisure centre saw just short of 100 competitor’s battle with thunderstorm conditions. Torrential rain and high winds meant that last years course records were safe despite some incredible performances. Completing the sprint distance race (750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run) in the quickest time was the youngest person in the field. Local based national star Beau Smith at just 15 years of age took the older more seasoned campaigners by storm to record a time of 1:08:29 setting the fastest swim of the day on the way to beating the next competitor by some 45 seconds. With the experience and class of Ashley Norie (Planet X) and Garrie Prosser (Team Purple Cobra) completing the podium positions for the men the class of the field was clear to see. To demonstrate this all three of them beat the fastest team of the day Palfreyman taken the honours and cheque in this category whilst recording the 4th fastest time off the day 1.09.49.

The women’s race couldn’t have been closer, with the unfortunate occurrence of Fiona Burnie (Ryton Tri) first across the line not winning the race. Due to the course layout competitors must negotiate two sets of traffic lights and so as to not give the lucky ones an advantage the organiser’s record the time the competitor is stationary at the lights and then deducts this from their overall time. Fortunately for Louise Kelly (Leicester Tri) she was held up nine seconds longer than Fiona Burnie and therefore on corrected time won the race by seven seconds in a time of 1.15.51. The women’s podium was completed with a very credible performance by another youngster Victoria Annis from Leeds in a time of 1.19.54.

Local Club Tri Preston added another dimension to the race by using it as a handicap race in their annual training camp weekend. Set off at handicapped intervals a blanket finish was possible, the final outcome saw Simon Hocking cross the line first closely followed by six more Tri Preston’s within a minute which proved the handicapper had done his job well.

A special mention must go to the many marshals who braved the weather to make the race safe and successful, hoping for better weather as KBTC club has a second Kendal Sprint Triathlon at the other end of the season on 28th September.