Team Milton Keynes are crowned English Club Champions at this year’s Triathlon England – National Club Championships
Triathlon Club, Team Milton Keynes, scooped top honours and were crowned English Club Champions at this weekend’s Triathlon England – National Club Championships (9 September), which took place in Emberton Country Park in Buckinghamshire this weekend.
The team of six, who named themselves Team Old Bullet after their oldest team racer, took top place on the podium after collecting the best score from each individual member’s race result. The club tactically put together a team with a range of age-groups to make sure they got the best points position.
The winning team members consisted of Phil Melling, Richard Ashton, Jordan Mackie, Tracey Haseldine, Corinne Price and Jim McKeller.
Jim McKeller, National Club Champion at the age of 76, also won 1st place in his age category said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic achievement to receive and I’m glad I was able to support my team, especially since I only started doing triathlon’s two years ago, and only started learning to swim at the same time. I was originally a runner, and over the years have raced in 105 marathons all for charity.
He added: “I started with sprint triathlons, and did my first Olympic distance at the National Championships the other week and am now planning a half ironman next year. I feel it’s a great challenge for me as a 74 year old to race in triathlons, and the support you get is absolutely fantastic. Triathlon is such an inspirational, approachable and friendly sport and I would advise everyone to get involved – you are never too old!”
The second place on the podium went to Team Ampthill & Fliwick Flyers, which consisted of Phil Holland, who also won 2nd leading individual male just behind local Olympic athlete Tim Don, Jason Moore, Stephen Morales, Martin Beare, Adam Moore and Theresa Jackson.
The final podium place went to Arragons Cumbrian Triathlon Club, which consisted of James Douglas, Stuart Robinson, Vicky Johnston, Rhiannon Silson, Peter Jamson and Teresa Douglas.
Jem Lawson, Chair of Triathlon England, said: “The National Club Championships event has been a fabulous success and the perfect way to experience a triathlon event. Whether you raced on the day or came down to support the athletes, we send huge congratulations to all those who entered, and the worthy club winners.
The whole event was raced by individuals in a team of six, with the final result being calculated on position points. Each individual was given points dependent on their age-group and overall position and the lower the points received in each team, the higher the overall team’s position.
The aim of this race format was to encourage clubs to think strategically about their team and to include a range of age-groups, rather than clubs choosing their top performers. This dynamic way of racing meant the excitement and anticipation was high right until the end of the event, as teams did not know their final scores until the last member crossed the line.
The race consisted of a sprint distance format, which started at 8am with a 750m open water swim in the lake at Emberton Country Park, a 20km bike consisting of one lap around undulating country roads and then onto a 5km run course, two laps of Emberton Country Park.
If you are inspired, and would like to ‘Give it a Tri’, then there are many events available on www.triathlonengland.org or contact the Triathlon England events team at events@triathlonengland.org for more details.
