Pure determination was in the minds of the four hundred and twenty competitors who finished the Welsh National Triathlon Championships at the gruelling Llandudno Sea Triathlon on Sunday 17 July.

Strictly speaking the event was not a true triathlon, as a late change in the sea conditions forced the organisers, Xtra Mile Events, to make a tough decision and change the race format to a duathlon (a run-bike-run event). Strong winds and a rough sea meant that, for safety reasons, the swim element of the race was replaced with a run along the shore. This was 2.3km for competitors doing the sprint distance, and 4.6km for those undertaking the standard distance race.

After the initial run, competitors moved onto a 38km bike ride (19km for the sprint distance) around the unforgiving Great Orme – a large, mountainous headland. Riders battled against strong crosswinds, headwinds, and tailwinds, as well as unrepentant rain, vicious hail, sheer gravity and even a herd of mountain goats (complete with long horns)!

Finally, after this battering, and still in wet weather, the final test of physical and mental toughness took place as the athletes swapped their bikes for their running shoes, and set off on a 10km route (or 5km for the sprinters) along the Victorian Promenade, up and over the Little Orme (a smaller rocky headland) and then back again.

The many cries of “YES!” on crossing the finish line showed that the sense of achievement for competitors was enormous.   This had truly been a physical and mental battle, and to conquer it was a well-deserved honour.

The event was summed up by competitor Andrew Tomlinson, who commented, “This was a truly hard core event and even though the swim didn't happen in some strange way it was enjoyable! I will be there next year!”

In the standard distance event the overall male winner was the former Great Britain cross country runner, David Anderson, who only swapped to triathlon in 2009. Winning the female race was European triathlon champion and local lady, Rhian Roxburgh from Rhos on Sea.

The event had attracted other high class athletes too, including Cheshire’s number one long distance swimmer, Oliver McCloskey, who although was disappointed not to swim, made a valiant effort in the other disciplines none-the-less.

Additionally, the event was started by Rhys Walker, the current triple national badminton champion (men’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles champion). Walker is currently trying to raise his national profile, to help him to fund his goal of competing at the 2012 Olympics.

The competitors were cheered around the course by very supportive marshals from the local Lions clubs, Kaleidoscope Theatre Group, Ffit Conwy, RNLI, and local Duke of Edinburgh students. Prizes were provided by Royles, the leading bike and triathlon store, who also appeared at the race exhibition, held at the St Georges Hotel Llandudno. The overall event was supported Conwy County Borough Council, Llandudno Town Council, Conwy Harbour Master, Llandudno Sailing Club, Triathlon Wales and the North Wales Constabulary. Goody bag items included For Goodness Shakes, Clif Bar, Original Source and Accelerade products.

The event was organised by Xtra Mile Events. More information and full results are available at www.xtramileevents.com

RESULTS

Llandudno Sea Triathlon (Duathlon format) 2011

17/07/11, Llandudno Promenade, North Wales

Standard Distance: 4.6km / 38km cycle / 10km run)

MEN

1. David Anderson (Manchester Triathlon Club) 02:00:58
2. Joe Skipper (Manchester Triathlon Club) 02:03:43
3. Mark Roberts (Manchester Club) 02:04:19

WOMEN

1. Rhian Roxburgh (Carneddau Tri Club) 02:18:05
2. Aly Rowell (Monmouth Triathlon Club) 02:30:29
3. Wendy McBride (Wakefield Tri Club) 02:33:18

Sprint Distance: 2.3km run / 38km cycle / 10km run)

MEN

1. Ian Roberts (Ashurst Bike Club) 01:08:32
2. Alex Cowin (Unattached) 01:16:09
3. Matthew Parry (Unattached) 01:17:19

WOMEN

1. Louise ALLEN (Absolute Tri Club) 01:25:49
2. Rebecca-Jane Law (Unattached) 01:26:27
3. Kirsty Seddon (City of Chester Tri Club) 01:29:50