Mounts Bay Harriers

Earlier this year, Sam Lawley and Phil Sanger (and a few friends) set off on an adventure to the far Western Isles of Scotland. In six days, they kayaked, ran, mountain biked, swam and road biked 700km from Barra at the southern end of the Outer Hebrides to the Butt of Lewis in the North. They made it back in one piece with a story to tell, and what better time to read of their summer exploit than at the tail end of the sporting season, now that the long dark nights are upon us?  So…sit back in your armchairs and hold tight - the crossing from Oban to Barra can be a wee bit lumpy!

Now read on…

(more…)

Sunday 12 October saw 10 Mounts Bay Harriers head up the A30 for the final Cornish Triathlon of the season - The Wadebridge Triathlon. Glorious weather and ideal conditions were experienced by the 128 competitors as the race got under way, involving a 400 metre pool swim, 15 mile bike and 5 mile run.

The weather was absolutely brilliant although a strong wind blew up as the day went on, which meant you went out on the cycle into a strong head wind and came back, being blown up the hills, by a very strong tail wind. This was fine until you had to cross the bridge high over the river where the wind did its upmost to try and blow you over the edge! The run took you along the Camel Trail with the sting in the tail being the run up the hill back to the Leisure Centre.

First off for the Harriers was Chris Trewhella who was out to improve on last years time, closely followed by Liz Prady, Ian Ragget, Sam Hill (who was competing in his very first triathlon) and Yvonne Turner – the faster your swim time the later your swim wave starts! Sam Lawley, Phil Sanger, Dave Prady, Ian Matthews and Shay Bowen all went off in the latter waves. Fastest swim time of the day was Natasha Diment in 5.30, this includes time taken to also run to transition, Shay Bowen from MBH with third fastest on the day with 6.16

The cycle portion of the race appeared to go smoothly considering how busy the roads around the area had become and there were some very fast times posted – fastest cycle on the day was Laurence Pidcock, the eventual winner, in 39 minutes, Ian Matthews from Mounts Bay Harriers managing a credible 4^th fastest in 41.44.

Onto the run and things really start to hot up, fastest time posted by Rich Brady 29.18, special mention must go to Sam Hill on his very first triathlon (even though he has no sense of direction) in posting a 30.45 run, a very impressive 7^th fastest run of the day.

The eventual winner of the race was Laurence Pidcock, Tri Force, 1.16.08, 2^nd Rich Brady, Tri Monkey, 1.16.18 and 3^rd Matt Boon, Tri Team Glos, 1.21.54

Female podium places went to Natasha Diment, Driven2tri 1.28.49, 2^nd Jacqueline Rice, Okehampton Cycle club 1.31.22 and 3^rd Kathryn Burgess, Camel Valley 1.34.12 – Sam Lawley, MBH missed out by only 13 seconds and finished 4^th female but took 1^st in her age group female vet 35

Other MBH results – Ian Matthews 6^th overall (1,22.29) and 1^st vet 40, Shay Bowen 2^nd vet 45, Yvonne Turner 3rd vet 45, Liz Prady 1^st female vet 50 – The Mounts Bay Harriers mens team also took the team title – Ian Matthews, Phil Sanger and Shay Bowen.

 Best caption competition - leave your comments below!!