Triathlon puts hundreds to the test in Forfar
More than 200 amateur athletes of all abilities put their speed and stamina to the test for the sixth Forfar Triathlon on Sunday.
Organised by Tri Angus Ltd participants came from as far afield as Lanark and Shetland to swim at Forfar Community Campus, cycles through the rolling countryside and run to Forfar Loch and back.
From 11am, eight heats of swimmers completed their allocated swim lengths of the six-lane pool – with novices doing 16 to cover 400m while more experienced athletes did 30 for to cover 750m.
The bike ride challenged novices with one lap of the almost 10km course out to East Mains of Carseburn before returning via North Whitehills, while the ‘Sprint’ competitors pedalled covered just over 21km.
Finally it was a 5k down to the north shore of Forfar Loch and back before sprinting for the finish at the Community Campus, where prizes were handed out.
Results
Open Sprint – 1st: John Soutar (43), Montrose Triathlon Club, Kirriemuir, 01:06:59; 2nd: John Lenehan (41), Edinburgh, 01:07:23; 3rd – Rob McDowell (29), Edinburgh, 01:10:20.
Female Sprint – 1st: Kirsten Duncan (28), Edinburgh, 01:16:30; 2nd: Catriona Brown (37), Monifieth Triathlon Club, Dundee, 01:18:17; 3rd: Alice Stewart (19), Kirriemuir, 01:21:07.
Female Novices – 1st: Caitlyn Christie (20), Falkirk, 00:58:50; 2nd: Annabell Maughan (30), Edinburgh, 00:58:58; 3rd: Heather Ralston (27), Glasgow, 01:00:20.
Open Novices – 1st: Scott Mann (37), Aberdeen, 00:54:58; 2nd: Harris Park (19), TrYthan, Ellon, 00:55:11; 3rd: Gareth Campbell (46), Stonehaven, 00:56:21.
Madison’s Café provided lunches volunteers, while Sattva Wellness provided massages and post-race stretch sessions in return for a donation to official charity partner Tayside Mountain Rescue.
Montrose Triathlon Club and Kirriemuir Show helped set things up, Forfar Falcons Swimming Club officiated the swimming and Carnoustie Creative supported communications.
Event vehicles came courtesy of local Ford commercial dealer A.M. Phillip, while participants received goodie bags sponsored by Power Washer Services and TrailBreeze.
Prizes for the podium finishers were supplied by Montrose Bag Co and TrailBreeze, including bags designed by Montrose Bag Co.
Event, organiser Maggie Lawrie said: “Thank you to all the competitors, sponsors and volunteers for making the sixth Forfar Triathlon such a great success and great fun at the same time.
"I’m always blown over by the support we get for our events, not only from the triathlon community, but our local community too, especially when it comes to volunteering.
"We need a small army of volunteers to keep everyone safe and I’m very grateful to everyone who gave up their time to help us at the event this year. Without your support the event simply wouldn’t be possible.”
To see more photos from the event visit the Triangus page of Facebook, and to apply for next year visit triangus.co.uk/event/montrose-triathlon/