The first South Manchester Triathlon took place in Wilmslow on Sunday, 23rd September, attracting a field of just under 350 triathletes about half of which were novices.
The inaugural sprint triathlon was held in the familiar setting of the Wilmslow Triathlon and will be moving to a new permanent home next season.
The start, finish and transition was on the cricket pitch at the Wilmslow Leisure Centre and the 400m swim took place in the 25m indoor pool. The mostly flat 24.2 km cycle ride took competitors around the town and as far as Ashley and Mobberly, whilst the 6.3 km run went out from the leisure centre along mainly quiet, leafy roads around east Wilmslow.
With the unbeaten Roger Witz Barnes from Manchester Triathlon Club not on the start line, his fellow club member Alex Lawton had the 2nd fastest swim time behind Stewart Moore and then put in a steady performance with the second fastest times also on the bike and run legs to finish overall first in a time of 01:09:45.
Paul Speed from Manchester Triathlon Club came second in 01:10:59 and James Bailey from Sale Harrier took third place in 01:11:07 after making up some time with the fastest run.
The women's race was won by Sarah May from Calderdale Tri Club after putting in an impressive performance with both the fastest cycle and run, finishing in first place in a time of 01:17:40. Melanie Dugan took second place in 01:23:39 followed by Emily Newton from Manchester Triathlon Club in 01:27:29. May was only 7th fastest in the pool but showed her class with the fastest cycle and run leg to win by 6 minutes.
Simon Hill, race organiser, commented: "I am pleased to say that the first South Manchester Triathlon has been a success and we have seen lots of happy faces all round! I would like to express a big thank you to everyone who took part, to the BTF Referees and to the marshals from Timperley Lacrosse Club, 6th Wilmslow Scout Group and Dean Row Girl Guides."
The 2013 Xtra Mile Events season will be kicking off with the Wilmslow Triathlon on 12th May 2013.
Photos: Alex Lawton, Manchester Triathlon Club. Courtesy of eventphotos.co.uk.
