Search
shop

Yee and Coldwell impress at National Road Relays

Alex Yee and Sophie Coldwell of Great Britain both impressed with strong performances at the National Road Relays in Birmingham.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

British triathlon stars Alex Yee and Sophie Coldwell represented their respective athletics clubs over the weekend, as the pair took part in the National 12 & 6 Stage Road Relays in Sutton Park.

The racing consists of twelve stages for the men, with six over a “short leg” of 5km and six over a “long leg” of roughly 8.65km for the men, and six stages for the women, which consists of two long and four short legs.

Both Coldwell and Yee raced for the first time since the pair finished second and first respectively at WTCS Abu Dhabi, and will take confidence from a strong run performance at the venue where they won Commonwealth Gold in the Mixed Relay back in August.

Advertisement

Yee just misses out on the fastest leg

Representing Kent AC, Yee ran an incredible leg to help his team take third place behind Central AC and Highgate Harriers, as he clocked an incredible 24:58 for the “long leg” of 8.65km.

alex_yee_wtcs_abu_dhabi.jpg
Photo Credit – World Triathlon

His time was the second fastest of the day, behind two-time Olympian Andy Butchart, who ran 24:57 to lead Central AC to the title. Butchart, who has run 13:06 for 5000m, and Yee were the only men to finish under 25:00 for the long leg.

This performance by Yee, which saw him out-split the likes of World Indoor Championships medallist Marc Scott and former European Championships 10,000m fifth place finisher, Dewi Griffiths, is further testament to his already highly regarded run calibre.

If Yee ever decided to fully switch his focus to athletics, it would be hard to bet against him, but for now, the 25 year old looks content to keep putting down mind boggling run splits over 5km and 10km following a swim and a bike. Of course, Yee has has single-sport success alongside his multisport career, winning the British 10,000m Championships in 2018 and racing at the European Athletics Championships.

Coldwell shows massive stride forward in run

Whilst seeing Yee contend with the very best in the country on the run may come as no surprise, seeing Sophie Coldwell, who is better known for her swim and bike pedigree competing at the front of the race may have come as more of a shock.

Sophie Coldwell Neom 2022 photo credit Darren Wheeler That Cameraman SLT
[Photo credit: Darren Wheeler That Cameraman / SLT]

However, anyone who watched WTCS Abu Dhabi will have recognised the huge gains Coldwell has seemingly made on the run this winter, and she backed up that progress with an impressive sixth-fastest long leg split in Sutton Park on Saturday.

Clocking a time of 29:24, Coldwell ran within 50 seconds of the fastest split, and on an undulating course in Birmingham, will take a lot of confidence from this performance as she takes on her first Olympic distance event of the year at WTCS Yokohama next month.

In Abu Dhabi, Coldwell lost out to compatriot Beth Potter on the run, but with Potter absent in Yokohama, Coldwell will be a genuine contender to win her first ever WTCS race.

With just four weeks remaining until the race in Japan, Coldwell’s performance in Sutton Park shows that her run is in the best place it has ever been, and along with her incredible swim and bike calibre, it would come as no surprise if the 28 year old can take the tape in Yokohama.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...