Doug Hall reports from the inaugural TrailX, the inaugural Pippingford Park Cross Triathlon which took place on Sunday – including a great gallery which really does show the event fantastically.
Inaugural Eventrex UK Pippingford Park Cross Triathlon a huge success
Eventrex UK (www.eventrexuk.com) hosted its first ever Cross Triathlon event at Pippingford Park on Sunday the 9th of September 2018. Over 100 athletes signed up to compete over two distances across the 1,000 acres of unique terrain the private estate has to offer.
Stunning weather welcomed athletes as the normal pre-race conversations took place around the coffee van. For some this would be their first experience of off-road multisport, for others this would be a welcome opportunity to race cross triathlon in the South of England. With a compulsory practice session to take in the more technical parts of the bike course, a few nervous faces left the event arena before returning with big grins and talk of, “how much fun was that?!” and, “can I go again?”.
At 10:30 the Men’s ‘Full Fat’ distance race started with multiple world champion Richard Stannard leading out of the unique three lake point-to-point swim before Henry Sleight took control on the bike to begin the run with a big lead of over four minutes. Henry would complete the run unchallenged to cross the line in first place.
In the Ladies’ ‘Full Fat’ wave, not to be outdone by her husband, Jessie Sleight lead from start to finish, exiting the water first before holding her gap on the bike ahead of Emily Iredale. Emily would close down the gap on the run but not by enough leaving Jessie to celebrate victory.
In the ‘Sugar Free’ distance event Toby Yemm and Joanne Staton set the fastest times across the shorter distances.
However, the day was about more than just the winners. It was about taking on new challenges and stepping outside of comfort zones whilst experiencing some of the best English countryside the region has to offer.
CHECK OUT THE GREAT GALLERY BELOW
All images are with thanks to Carel Du Plessis (www.carelduplessis.com) and Rob Sharp (www.lighttrapper.co.uk)
