The Age-Group champions of IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire 2019

Team Bottrill top the Age-Group podiums at IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire 2019

(Photo credit above: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN)

As well as Lucy Charles-Barclay and George Goodwin topping the Pro podiums in Staffordshire (full report HERE), I also wanted to take a look at the Age-Group performances at the fifth edition of the race.

Looking at the overall picture first, the fastest female AG athlete was Victoria Kenny. If that names sounds familiar, we spoke to Victoria earlier this season (HERE), shortly after she had won the Triathlon England National Duathlon Championships at Ashridge House, Hertfordshire. Since then Victoria has won her category (and second AG athlete overall) at IRONMAN 70.3 Barcelona, and now she goes one step better by topping the overall amateur field inn Staffordshire.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BykDnT1h3iN/

It was a close race however a Rebecca Duxbury – also from the F18-24 category – finished less than a minute and half behind, the pair running almost identical 1:28 half marathons. Rebecca recently won, overall, the Age-Group race at the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships in Pontevedra.

Third place overall – and winning F35-39 – was Rebecca Rimmington, second recently at the Outlaw Half and a member of the Specialized Zwift Academy Triathlon Team in 2018.

It was a good day for Team Bottrill as Victoria’s coach, Ian Dempsey, was also the fastest amateur male, winning the 35-39 category in the process. Ian was also the fastest British athlete (and 35-39 champion) at IRONMAN 70.3 Mallorca this year and second 12 months ago overall at the Outlaw Half Holkham.

The joy of winning… what a day yesterday was Still absolutely buzzing from taking the amateur win & 9th overall @IM703STAFFS massive congrats to everyone who raced many thanks for all the support on the course#livethedream@TeamBottrill @tri247

📸 credit: @shortandrounduk pic.twitter.com/hLwrOrXY3l

— Ian Dempsey (@IanDempseyTri) June 10, 2019

Tenby-based Oliver Simon was second, proving he has still got plenty of pace in the 40+ ranks, with Dan Blake (35-39) running through to third place with a swift 1:18:58 half marathon.

Fastest Age-Group athletes overall

Age-Group Men

1st – Ian Dempsey (GBR) – 4:15:00 (35-39)
2nd – Oliver Simon (GBR) – 4:16:34 (40-44)
3rd – Dan Blake (GBR) – 4:17:07 (35-39)
4th – Will Munday (GBR) – 4:18:10 (18-24)
5th – William Draper (Isle of Man) – 4:18:27 (18-24)

Age-Group Women

1st – Victoria Kenny (GBR) – 4:46:11 (18-24)
2nd – Rebecca Duxbury (GBR) – 4:47:40 (18-24)
3rd – Rebecca Rimmington (GBR) – 4:53:06 (35-39)
4th – Claire Danson (GBR) – 4:54:19 (30-34)
5th – Elizabeth Duncombe (GBR) – 4:56:02 (30-34)

Looking through the listing of Age-Group champions below (and fourth fastest overall), was Claire Danson. Claire’s Weymouth win comes a week after winning the ETU European Triathlon Championships in Weert – and will also put to bed her nightmare finish / collapse at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai earlier this season.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BykBdc-hiwV/

IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire Age-Group Champions