Sunday 6th October 2019
Nineteen members of the Kings Lynn triathlon club competed in the first of the Ryston runners cross-country grand prix held in Shouldham Warren. The torrential rain was no deterrent for these lovers of deep puddles, mud and soggy sand as eight of them came away with medals!
Three of the club’s under 11’s were the 1st to race. Lola Kidman completed the 2km distance in 8.51 and won 2nd place in her category. Thomas Elsdon was 7th boy in a time of 9.07 closely followed by Tom Doig (11th) in 9.40. In the 3km (under 13s) race, Esmie Kidman came 4th with an amazing time of 13.33 and Sophie Doig (under 15’s) achieved 2nd place with a time of 13.52.
The adults had a more adventurous time, with three of its members taking a tumble on the 5km course! Alistair Doig was the first of the tri club to cross the line in 19.33, closely followed by Simon Hardy in 19.42 who lost valuable time by tripping over a protruding tree root. Despite losing his footing, Hardy still won 2nd place in his age category. Ian Kidman put in his usual sterling performance and came 4th in his category in a time of 20.53, followed by Ian Todd whose time of 21.31 placed him 3rd in his age category. Two members jockeyed for position and gave it their all to beat one another; Steve Bowdery (who recently completed the Welsh Ironman) was struggling to catch Debbie James on the home stretch, which was until James fell over! Bowdery took advantage of her downfall and finished in 22.40. James, quick to bounce back, completed the race in 22.41 and came 3rd in her category. Anna Seaman claimed 1st place in her age category with her awesome time of 23.22. Karen Wood came next in 24.43 which gained her a medal for coming 2nd in her age group. Maureen Wolfe then succeeded in coming 2nd in the 60+ age group in 25.50. Meanwhile, after running just 2km, Jemma Redhead was the 3rd member to hit the dirt, tripping over nothing and falling awkwardly on her ankle. Emma Thompson took advantage and finished in a great time of 26.22 just in front of a muddy Jemma Redhead (26.26). Another Sprint battle was had between team mates David Hicks and Darren Elsdon. Hicks pipped Elsdon to the post, finishing in 27.29 and 27.30 respectively. Last but certainly not least, was the clubs newest member, Stefan Sprawling who finished in 38.17.
Slightly further afield, Ashish Rastogi completed the Cardiff half Marathon in 1.45.28 whilst Paul & Vicky Dunthorne and Stephen & Alison Pentland enjoyed some open water swimming in the Norfolk Lakes.