Brownlee is back – a triathlete Christmas running roundup

Triathlon-related running news from the Christmas holiday period

Auld Lang Syne / Ribble Valley 10km / Barcelona / Nos Galan / Serpentine…

Having missed the second half of the season due to a hip operation, Alistair Brownlee posted some encouraging news on Twitter a couple of weeks ago that he was well into his recovery, posting a short video along with the hashtag, #firstsessionback;

Anyone who has been out for a long time or has had surgery knows this feeling. #firstsessionback @adidasUK pic.twitter.com/uOvbT6lDof

— Alistair Brownlee (@AliBrownleetri) December 16, 2017

Quickly following that, he ended 2017 in winning ways on Sunday at a local event he is very familiar with. Organised by the WoodenTops (www.woodentops.org.uk), the Dalside Auld Lang Syne Fell Race takes place at Penistone Hill Country Park, near Haworth, W Yorks and is an event that the Brownlee brothers have been regulars at for well over a decade (see details below).

For the fifth time (I think…), Alistair won the event which, as the pictures show, clearly put a smile on his face to end 2017 on a positive note. His big early season target with be defending his two Commonwealth Games Gold medals in Australia.

24th Dalside Auld Lang Syne Fell Run – Sunday 31st December 2017

1st – Alistair Brownlee (Bingley Harriers) – 44:54
2nd – Carl Bell (Keswick) – 45:10
3rd – Max Wharton (Calder Valley) – 45:32

1st – Helen Berry (Holmfirth Harriers) – 51:11
2nd – Ruby Sykes (Holmfirth Harriers) – 54:33
3rd – Annabel Mason (Leeds Uni) – 54:38

The Brownlee brothers at the Auld Lang Syne history:

2017 – Alistair 1st, Jonathan did not run
2016 – Did not run
2015 – Did not run
2014 – Alistair 1st, Jonathan 3rd (Mark Buckingham 2nd)
2013 – Did not run
2012 – Jonathan 1st, Alistair did not run
2011 – Alistair 1st, Jonathan 2nd
2010 – Jonathan 2nd, Alistair did not run
2009 – Alistair 1st, Jonathan 3rd
2008 – Alistair 2nd, Jonathan 3rd
2007 – Alistair 1st, Jonathan 8th
2006 – Did not run
2005 – Alistair 5th, Jonathan 21st

While Jonathan wasn’t at the Auld Lang Syne, he was also racing on Sunday at the Ribble Valley 10km in Clitheroe, which incorporated the North of England Championships. Jonathan finished second, six seconds inside the 30-minute mark, 17 seconds back on defending champion, Marc Scott. There was a strong multisport presence at the race, as Richard Horton – British Elite Duathlon Champion in 2016 – was just four seconds adrift of Jonny at the finish (29:58), with Calum Johnson (5th) and Gordon Benson (13th) also racing among several other names we recognise.

Running into 2018. Had great fun at #ribblevalley10k. Have a great 2018 everyone!!! (photo @wahsled) pic.twitter.com/IwPCTZsoDL

— Jonathan Brownlee (@jonny_brownlee) December 31, 2017

Recently announced as a member of the Scottish Commonwealth Games Triathlon team, Rio 2016 10,000m Olympian Beth Potter clocked 33:00 to finish second to Laura Weightman.

Nice to blow away the cobwebs (and cycling legs) @ribblevalley10k Couldn't quite stick with the great @LauraWeightman but still 30s pb for me. Got the bug again for racing. Roll on 2018 🕺 pic.twitter.com/8w26QdXHq7

— Beth Potter (@beth_potter) December 31, 2017

Ribble Valley 10km – Sunday 31st December 2017

MEN
1st – Marc Scott (Richmond and Zetland Harriers) – 29:37
2nd – Jonathan Brownlee (Bingley Harriers) – 29:54
3rd – Richard Horton (Shaftesbury Barnet) – 29:58

5th – Calum Johnson (Gateshead) – 30:08
13th – Gordon Benson (Leeds City AC) – 31:01

WOMEN
1st – Laura Weightman (Morpeth Harriers) – 32:31
2nd – Beth Potter (Shaftesbury Barnet) – 33:00
3rd – Stevie Stockton (Leeds City AC) – 34:27

In Spain, World Duathlon Championship Bronze medallist, Mark Buckingham, ticked one event off of his ‘to do’ list when running the San Silvestre 10km in Barcelona. Some serious speed at the front of the race (won in 28:38), Mark was 28th in 31:27 (chip 31:21). More importantly, he put together a nice little video memory of it!

If there’s one race you’ve got to do its the #sansilvestre 10km – Barcelona.
(#cursadelsnassos) iv wanted to do it for years & it sure lived up to the hype

10,000+ competitors, super fast course, 5.30pm start as the sun goes down, then finish & you’re in Barcelona for NYE. Epic! pic.twitter.com/quloUSYQOj

— Mark Buckingham (@TriBucko) December 31, 2017

In Wales we also spotted the familiar name of Iestyn Harrett finishing in fifth place at the Nos Galan 5km road race, clocking a swift 14:46 for the long-standing event which is held on New Year’s Eve around Mountain Ash Town Centre, attracting thousand’s of spectators.

2018 started with wins for two athletes who are familiar to the pages of TRI247 at the Serpentine New Year’s Day 10km in central London. Richard Allen (30:26) and Emma Pallant (33:53) both took clear wins – and both are members of Aldershot, Farnham and District. In 2017 Richard was the Under-23 title at the World Duathlon Championships in Penticton, while Pallant’s 2017 highlight was arguably her Silver medal at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

Full results HERE.