Triangle Triathlon top the podium at Whitehead

Rhodri Evans Jones (pictured above) and Alison Rankin, from the Triangle Triathlon Club headed to Whitehead on Saturday to compete in the Real Triathlon Whitehead Sprint.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Sep 2012, 09:47 BST

The sun shone, the wind blew and the sea roughed up. The 85+ field took to the sea at 3.00 p.m for a 750m point to point swim. Rhodri Jones positioned himself well for the straight swim across Whitehead Bay and exited the water in the lead one minute ahead of his closest rival. In the ladies race Rankin, having had her goggles knocked off twice, had a challenging swim and was two minutes behind the leading lady as they exited T1.

Both Rankin and Jones showed their inner strength and drive on the bike, with Jones again leading the charge into T2 and Rankin entering T2 20/30 seconds behind the leading lady having caught two other female competitors on the bike leg.

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Into the final stretch Jones running prowess showed true. Being closely followed by Muckno Triathlon Club triathlete, Dessie Duffy, he charged ahead only to be caught at the final run turn with 750m to go. Jones was passed but held on to his competitor’s shoulder until 25m out from the finish line when he sprinted home (56.45) to the cheering of wife Gillian (8.5 months pregnant) and Dad Ken, (a legendary veteran triathlete) to win the title for the Triangle Club.

Meanwhile Rankin was fighting hard in her final leg and with a blistering run split, made it a double gold for Triangle leading the ladies home (in 64.20) over two minutes ahead of her closest competitor, Claire Scott from the Peninsula club.

A great end to the season for the mighty red and black that is TTC - Triangle Triathlon Club. New members always welcome. Please join us - we would love to see you!