Llanelli Children’s Duathlon

10 July 2006

Report by Luke Watson

For most of the Pembs tristars this was the last race of a long hard season of racing, in which we have secured our position as arguably the most successful junior team in Wales.

It was a fine, sunny afternoon in Llanelli, and spirits were high as we looked to end the season with a bang, like we began it in Cardiff at the beginning of May. It was once again a well organised event, as usual from Llanelli club and the enclosed course with a high bank overlooking it gave plenty of opportunity for the many travelling supporters to see the races.

The racing began with the mixed Tristar Start (the youngest) age group and a 1 lap run, 1 lap bike and a 100-yard dash to the finish. In the boys race Finn Thompson produced a great all round performance to take the victory. For the girls Alicia Jones built on her excellent performance at the Pembs Tri to finish in 2nd position and Sophie Rees also ran and cycled well to come in 4th.

In the Tristar 1 age group there was a very strong Pembs Tri contingent in both the boys and girls races. Caitlin Thompson had an excellent first run to take the lead but lost a bit of ground on the bike, still managing 3rd place. She was closely followed by 2 more Pembs Tri members as Lucy Buck took 4th and Cara Watson came in 5th  (actually overtaking someone on the bike for the first time this season!!!). In the boys race we had 4 representatives, with Ieuan Cooke in his first ever race, dominating the first run. He was unfortunately overhauled on the bike but came in a close 2nd for a fine result. Of the other club members Sam Withers came in 7th, Jack Rees was 9th and Steffan Williams was 11th.

We once again had several racing in the T2 girls event as Megan Withers dominated from start to finish and was never troubled on her way to a commanding victory, our second of the afternoon. Eleri Buck, Kate Matchett and Fleur Buck all had good races too, with Eleri just missing out on the medals in 4th, Kate was 5th and Fleur 7th. Onto the boys and Joe Lloyd had a fantastic bike leg to pick himself up to 4th place just outside the medals. Emyr Williams came in 11th.

There were no Pembs Tri in the T3 girls race but it was onto our strongest age group throughout the season the T3 boys. This form continued with our members filling four of the first 5 positions. Alex Matchett rounded off a great season in style with a comfortable victory. He was pushed fairly close on the run by Jake Watson but showed his superior bike strength to move away. Jake showed how much his cycling has improved this season as he took a comfortable 2nd. Luke Cornish lost a bit of ground on the run and couldn’t quite catch it up on his stronger discipline the cycle. He ended up 4th with Callum next in 5th.

For the Youth’s this was the Welsh Duathlon Championships (the Tristars had theirs at Cardiff) and it was attended by a very strong field of 1 boy and 1 girl(!). In the boys race Luke Watson took the Welsh title for Pembrokeshire to make it 4 victories for Team Pembs on the day. There were 6 podium finishes and also five 4th places, which shows our strength in depth in most age groups.

I’m sure you’d all agree it’s been a very successful season and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of our coaches on Friday nights Steve, Robin, Mervyn and Jim, so on behalf of everyone I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who’s helped out during the season. Keep training hard over the winter and here’s to more of the same next season!!!

Pictures for the event can be found on www.sportysnaps.com (scroll down the left hand menu). While you’re on there look at the pictures for the Swansea National Pool Triathlon (race number 40). Can anyone help this old man push his bike up the hill?