In the lead-up to Sunday’s Outlaw Triathlon 2021, most concerns (and not just for athletes), were around the weather forecast which was seemingly set to be awful. Given the memories of two years ago and a cancelled bike leg, nobody wanted a repeat. We need not have worried as – just like the Half last month – the waterproofs were not needed and the rain stayed away.
Andrew Horsfall-Turner crossed the line first at the Half, but would shortly afterwards be relegated to second place once the time-trial start impacts were unwound (Josh Lewis taking the honours). There were no such issues for Andrew this time as he lead the race from gun to tape. His £3,000 course-record bonus will be very welcome for a man heading to Hawaii in two months time.
Here is the post-race reaction from the men’s podium. (You can click here to read our race report).
- Andrew Horsfall-Turner 8:26:27
- Ian Dempsey 8:35:39
- Kit Walker 8:45:09
Andrew Horsfall-Turner
Winner, a new course record (8:26:27), a £3,000 bonus and setting a new Welsh iron-distance record in the process. Sunday’s Outlaw Triathlon proved to be a fantastic day for Andrew Horsfall-Turner.
“I’m still a bit gobsmacked… over the moon, after what was a bittersweet second here at the Half. I was running scared for the whole 26 miles. I was shouting for time splits, I really didn’t know what to think.
“I started so so strong on the run, but I began sort of fading quite badly after 15k. 15k up to 42k is a long way to be fading.
“As always I did it the hard way, lead from the gun. I led the swim out, didn’t see a soul on the bike. To be fair, the volunteers, the marshals, the lead bike on the run, they all kept me going and kept me motivated. God, it’s a long way though isn’t it?!”
Reflecting on what was only his second full-distance start, it was also of course by far his best yet.
“I took an hour and 40 minutes off my ironman PB, albeit that was from IRONMAN Wales (2019). It’s geared me up really well, I think I’ve got nine weeks from yesterday to Kona, so a bit of relaxation and recovery now, then a big build to Kona.
“To have Kit in the race too, and Ian Dempsey going under the previous course record as well, I think it just shows how British sport has come on a lot. We are all racing as amateurs still and I think that may be the quickest British amateur time ever, but it would be great to see some of the Pros rock up next year and see what sort of times they can really push.
“It’s a lovely course… and we got pretty lucky with the weather again.”
Ian Dempsey
Like Andrew, the 2021 Outlaw Triathlon was only Ian’s second attempt at the distance.
“I’ve been doing some halfs and trying to get my Pro licence back. I did the half (in Nottingham) and came 20th and was pretty disappointed. I did Staffordshire last weekend and came fifth.
“I guess it is difficult when you train to go long, you still think you’ve got the pace at the half (distance), but my coach kept telling me that I had the strength for the full and so just believe in the process. I’m chuffed with the result.”
Kit Walker
Winner in 2016 and 2017, and the course record holder starting the day, Kit made another Outlaw Triathlon podium. He was pretty content with his effort, despite mechanical issues on the bike.
“It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, so I’m pretty happy just to be back racing. I lost probably five or six minutes on the bike with a puncture.
“I don’t think the conditions were as good as 2017, I think the bike was windier today, but it was overcast and quite cool which was nice. We definitely got lucky (versus the forecast).”
Are we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
