Darlington Triathlon Club has taken over the race, which is now in its third year. It’s an ideal event for beginners and experienced multi-sport athletes alike.

Based at Teesdale Leisure Centre, it begins with a 400m pool swim followed by a three-mile run, which is all off-road. Traditionally this race attracts strong support from the Barnard Castle area, with entrants commenting on its excellent organisation and friendly atmosphere.

Last year saw a new course record from Darlington Tri member Halina Clare, who completed the race in 28 mins 25 secs to finish first female and 10th overall.

The event is open to all abilities from age 16 upwards. The cost for British Triathlon Federation members is £12, with non-BTF entrants paying £15.

Entries can be made via www.trihard.co.uk. Enquiries should be made to race organiser Brian Burdon: brian.burdon1@gmail.com

Teesdale Aquathlon poster 2012

Teesdale Aquathlon 2012 entry form

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18.30 – 19.30 – Beginner/Development

19.30 – 20:30 – Intermediate/Advanced

Sessions cost a fee of £3 per person per session. Pay and register before you swim
Please see the map below for information.

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Around 100 triathletes competed in our club race, the Teesdale Sprint Tri, in a great day of competition.

A full report will follow, but in the meantime here’s a pic of our very own Ben Oakes, who won the 30-39 age group and is now the proud owner of a shiny new Scott helmet.

Thanks to all members who turned out to help make the race a success.

Teesdale Triathlon results by bib number (pdf document)

Teesdale Triathlon results by overall position

Race photo’s can be viewed at http://www.evitt-photography.co.uk

The smiles say it all as Neil Mac, Shelley Mac T, Grant, Nigel, Darren and Graeme F got together for  a team pic at the end of a gruelling but memorable day at Challenge Roth in Germany last weekend.

For all but Neil, it was a first Ironman event – the climax of months of hard training – and all six did the club and themselves proud. Heartiest congratulations to all of them.

Neil finished in the incredible time of 10 hrs 9 mins 42 secs, but there was little to separate the rest: Graeme 12:07:48; Nigel 12:22:47; Grant 12:31:58; Shelley 13:04:22; Darren 13:08:46.

Michelle McTaggart with her medal

A speedy time of 27 mins 47 secs for the 1.2-mile swim set her up for an excellent 2:36:32 bike
leg for the 56-mile course. She rounded it off with 1:43:11 for the half-marathon run to finish fourth
female overall and 48th out of 129 competitors.

Meanwhile, in Northumberland, five members competed in the highly-competitive QE2 races.
Michelle S was fifth in her age group in the sprint triathlon, which served as the final qualifier for the
Olympics.

In the 3k swim challenge, Alex won her 20-24 age group with the impressive time of 42 mins 40
secs. Neil S was second in the 50-54 category with 53:54 and Sam was second in the 40-44
category with 54:15. Joanne T was also second in the 45-49 section with 57:16.

In Cumbria, Nigel and Adam competed in the Coniston standard distance triathlon. Nigel showed
that his Ironman preparations are going well by finishing ninth in category with 2:39:04 and Adam
was sixth in category with 2:52:54.

Nearer home in Yorkshire, well done to new member John W who tackled his first triathlon at
Wetherby in awful conditions, coming home in 3 hrs 4 mins 41 secs.

Last but certainly not least, Halina and Michelle S were in action the previous weekend in the
Speedy Beever British Sprint Championships, based at Belvoir Castle, near Melton Mowbray.

Halina finished 44th lady in 1:17:28, ahead of Michelle S, who was 48th in 1:17:49 – that was close!

Members were out in force in the Darlington Rotary Tri last weekend, with some excellent performances in ideal conditions.

One of the best placings came from Rebecca, who finished second junior female with the excellent time of 1 hr 35 mins 44 secs for the 400m swim, 16-mile bike and three-mile run.

Andrew S was sixth in the senior male category with 1:12:36, with some close tussles further down the field. Adrian was 40^th in 1:18:39 and only one place separated 62^nd Ian McT (1:26:55) and Barry (1:27:27).

Clare W was 14^th in her category with 1:30:12, just ahead of Nicola D in 17^th with 1:31:27. Then came Jess as 20^th senior female in 1:33:20 and Jenny B, 24^th senior female with 1:36:15. One place behind was Simone in 1:37:03.

Simon R was 92nd in 1:40:20 ahead of Michael G, who was 97^th in 1:46:51. Kathryn did well to recover from a puncture and finish in 2:15:40.