MOKTri 2016 Report...a view from the rear!

Post date: Sep 30, 2016 12:19:36 PM

By Robert Semple

Saturday Aug 3rd saw the 3rd running of the MOK TRI event in good conditions . Due to a few clashes with other events the entry numbers were down on last year however the quality of the event did not suffer and was as much fun as ever. Club members put in great performances all the way down the field, either as individual entrants or as part of a team.

My own team which consisted of my wife Catrina swimming , Myself cycling and my sister Margaret Sinclair doing the running. This was our third attempt at a TRI as we are more of a TRI ANYTHING team than TRIATHALON. As the weeks passed by in the run up to the event we spent much time thinking about the swimming and cycling but not actually doing any,,,,, the runner was running relentlessly!! But there was no rush with the rest of the “BARR GLEN HARRIERS “

Race day arrived and I was pleased to see a busy transition area and pool as the event got underway and a decent number of spectators had arrived to cheer the competitors on. My own race started from all but last of the first wave of cyclists however I managed to pass a couple of riders on the way out of town (fair play to them they had just swam 30 lengths) and then passed another two who had succumbed to the dreaded punctures! As I approached the last mile before the turn around point I met loads of bikes heading back and thought to myself “ I am going to catch you “ as I felt that my bike was “Flying”….until I turned and realised I had been riding with a tail wind which was now a head wind ! Needless to say I never caught anyone and one guy who had a puncture still beat me.

The race was not over yet as our illustrious runner set off and I then returned to the rank of spectator ,watching the battles down the field , most noticeably between the teams of GRS and FORTIRIED who were contesting for 1ST place , Ronald Reid arrived in to transition from the cycle putting the pressure on GRS runner Sarah Mcfadzean , as she set off she had calculated she needed a Five minute head start on Darren Renton to win however after only Two minutes or so Renton of team FORIFIED was on her tail and the race was on

Strong performances throughout the field provided great spectating, that’s the great thing about being in a team not only do you compete but you get to watch as well!!! And it was with great interest that we watched for the returning runners , sure enough Darren Renton was first into view for the teams providing a strong win for their team made up of Lindsay Colville (swim) Ian Reid (cycle) and Darren. Runners up and first time triathletes were team “GRS” which consisted of Gemma Rendall (swim) Ronald” Tetley” Reid (Cycle )and Sarah Mcfadzean.

In the Male solo event Club member Dom Sharkey could only manage 2nd against Brian Yates who put in strong swim and run times not to mention a staggering 11 second transition time. The Female Category was won by club member Jenifer Martin who pulled out 1m, 08secs over 2nd place Karen Hopwood. Prize giving was held in the Royal Hotel with a great supply of burgers and home baking to round off a successful 2016 MOK TRI .Thanks must be given to all the Marshalls , timekeepers, Bakers, organisers and commentator as the event is a cracker and I would encourage anyone to “have a go “ Roll on 2017.