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Wansdyke 2003

Results are here

Yet again the sun shone. the weather forecast said cloudy and rain, the people we work with said it would rain. Not a black cloud in site though. How do the Kertzman's do it? praying I'm told!

This year was a new run course with double the hills so double the dead legs at the top of the 2nd steep filed climb.

Rob pears of Bath Amphibians returned to Wansdyke after missing the event since 1998. Then he was 2nd behind Leigh Butler. This year Leigh was marshalling the bike exit still having problems with an injured calf/leg. Hope you get fit Leigh. Not only did Rob win the overall event but as a 40 year old he picked up the top vet prize too. to keep it in the family Gillian pears won the ladies event to. A pair for the Pears. Jane Fox was 2nd lady and 3rd was Pam Ellison of bath Amphibians who took the ladies and men's team prizes too.

James Millen was 2nd overall and has been creeping up the listing over the years. in 1996 he was 33rd. In third place was Duncan Richards from Somer RC Tri. 

Stephen Sincock was 2nd V40 with Simon Spedding 3rd (complete with broken seat pin). In the ladies vet category Yvonne Cox returned to the podium after puncturing last year after a few hundred yards. Joining Yvonne in a family affair was sister Alison Lucas who was 2nd V50, husband Nigel 46th and finally but not lastly or leastly son Ryan taking part in his first open triathlon. Ryan finished one place behind Yvonne in 56th place and just over a minute behind Nigel. the future is bright for Ryan.

Now some trivia:-

Fastest swim of the day was Nicholas Tassell of Bath Amphibians in 5'26"

Fastest Bike was Rob Pears (Bath Amphibs again!) 42'23"

Fastest Run was Mark Reed of Bournemouth in 21'55"

Before the 2003 event 7 men and 1 woman had done all 8 events. After 2003 it was down to 6 men and one woman. See the Wansdyke site for more info

taking part were 

6 Simons, 14 Andrews/Andys, 5 Johns, 4 Pauls, 1 Paula and a Pauline and No Erics.

11 Bath Amphibians, 10 Somer AC Tri, 9 Avon Valley Runners, 7 Somerset RC Tri, 4 Kingswood Tri, 4 Hogweed Trotters and Three from Kingstons the Estate Agents!! 

The local lads and lasses were

Wansdyke 2002

For the Wansdyke results click here

With the sun shining in Midsomer Norton and all the "really tough" triathletes somewhere in north Wales racing a half Ironman event, those with lesser ambitions, smaller wallets and a fear of wind and rain congregated for the eighth Wansdyke Triathlon.

Overall winner was Jonathan Davies form deep in the bowels of Somerset. clearly not fuelled by Cider or Wurzel songs Jonathan lost over a minute to second place Gavin Lancaster (Total fitness Bath) but with superb bike and run splits was able to nobble Gavin by just 4 seconds.

With a light wind it was a good day for all those taking part (as it always is, with no rain of any note in all eight events). The fast swimmers were out of the block early with Stuart Salmon posting a fast early time including an impressive (but not for Stuart, apparently) 5'23" swim (6th fastest of the day). Stuart's overall time of gave him 16th position. 

Also early out of the blocks were Leigh Butler and Simon Spedding who were eventually split by just one second and finished 3rd and 4th overall, Simon taking the vet 40 prize. Leigh was satisfied with his time having struggled all year to rid himself of a Achilles injury. Going out at the same time but returning even quicker was Yvonne Cox who picked up a puncture shortly into the bike course. probably totally gutted but not showing it at all Yvonne returned to the sports centre to concentrate on a picnic and supporting the other competitors. Next year Yvonne...

The Brooks brothers, both now Ironmen had good races and their bike splits were just one second apart, Andy's superior run was enough to take him into 6th place ahead of Mark's 19th. Mark must surely be looking for a good winter with no injuries to try and get closer to veteran brother next year!!

Nigel Cox produced another solid performance to give him 3rd V40 and 20th overall. Simon Hill was not talking about his 29th position after the event, clearly not impressed with his own performance!! Come on Sime tell us all about it.

Richard Hurley was one of the few Kingswoodian not to venture to the land of close harmony singing and daffodils and came home in 38th position. Paul Calabrese another Kingswood boy had a good swim and came home 62nd.

63rd home was veteran Ron White showing good form in the swim, 6'00", not bad for an "old man" Ron!!

77th overall was Dom Clarke who had a solid swim and will be looking to strengthen his biking over the winter (yes, you will Dom) and when he returns next year will certainly move up the field!

Hogweed Trotter Mandy Spedding (aka Leah) had a good race but was annoyed with herself for hesitating on the run (thinking she had gone the wrong way) Mandy/Leah came home 6th lady (83rd overall) and without the hesitation would have surely challenged the 5th lady home.

Alison Lucas, again excelled herself to be first F50 home in 116th overall just ahead of Roger "doesn't look a day over 59) Harle in 119th. Roger having just turned 60 the previous week. I am sure we would all love to have the enthusiasm and fitness at 60 of Roger.

I have to give the Spedding's financial advisor Mathew Withers a special mention. Mathew came in 100th overall but said he went flat out on the swim and never recovered. He's promised to come back next year though.