Round Up 12th – 25th May 2025
We are really into multisport season now and there has been Tuff action in Pamplona at the European Championships and closer to home, particularly with an impressive Tuff turn out at Arundel. Congratulations to everyone, especially those flying the GB and Tuff flags and thank you, as ever, for sending in your reports.
European Aquathlon Championships – Pamplona – Thursday 15th May 2025
Huge congratulations to both Katie Young and Maisie Johnston for achieving podium spots in their age group in the European Aquathlon Championships. Thank you to Maisie for sending in this report:
As always so thrilled to be at a GB Championship toeing the line and with my fellow Tuff Katie Young too.
Our lovely race location was a turquoise lake nestled in the mountains around 40km from Pamplona, so logistically quite a nightmare, but once there, a stunning location. A 1 lap 1km swim and a 5km run through the pretty hamlet then undulating out beyond the lake for a 2 lap ‘out and back’.
The Elites were off and away first, with Chris Perham winning silver.
Once our wave was called, Katie and I headed down to the lakeshore. Unfortunately, not very spectator friendly as the run out of the swim to transition was a narrow steep lane, and this was the only access to the lake.
Heart starts pounding, mad death metal music blares and we’re off!
Swim was clear water, slight ripple, due to windy conditions, and occasional gulp of lake water, but I managed to keep near the front and was 4th out the water in my age group.
Super hard run up to transition, but I managed a few overtakes whilst not red lining!
Off on the run, quite a tricky technical section to get out of transition, but once away I started to focus on who I could chase down in the field ahead.
Saw Katie on the second lap ahead of me looking strong and tried to gain some time back on the downhill, but to no avail!
Headed over the line with a bit of a sprint, and much relief. Katie was there to greet me. Will frantically checking results and announcing we were first and second in our age group.
Many congrats to Katie for her gold and a much-cherished silver for me.
Farewell Pamplona, our sights are already set on the Worlds in Pontevedra in June.
European Aquabike Championships – Pamplona – Saturday 17th May 2025
Many thanks to Verity-Jane Lacey for reporting in on the European Aquabike Championships. Congratulations to both her and Ross Court for their strong performances and for surviving all the travel dramas:
Ross and I qualified for the European Middle Distance Aquabike Championships using the Cotswolds race for our times.
At the time the date hadn’t been announced so when they did and it was a week after Mallorca 70.3, it wasn’t really the best way to prepare!
From arriving home from Mallorca to leaving to go back to the airport, I had less than a 10 hour turn around.
We made it back to the airport and the drama started! Our booking was showing as cancelled at check-in which was rectified. We flew to Madrid and made the tight connection to Pamplona, only the flight was diverted to Bilbao! Landed in Bilbao and my suitcase with all my kit didn’t arrive! After finally logging the lost baggage and travelling the two hours to Pamplona, we had missed registration which meant we couldn’t get our bus transfers to the lake the next day to recce the swim, because we couldn’t get our bikes transferred without their race numbers, all in all a disaster!
Anyway, we moved on, got sorted for the race and made it to the start line. The race start was 1:30 in the afternoon which felt pretty weird. We all had to line up in front of our bikes in T1 and from there filter down to the swim start area for a rolling start. The elite men were already coming out of the swim before we had even entered, some really quick swim times for the 1,900m course.
Finally, we entered the water: I had a pretty terrible swim. There were only three sighting buoys, with 900m between two of them, so it made sighting difficult. After finishing the swim, I made it up to T1 and got ready for the bike leg and off I went. The bike course was beautiful, it went from the lake and back into Pamplona. Within the first 5 miles, I knew I didn’t have the legs so decided to just ride through and enjoy the scenery. That said, there was a really strict cut-off of 18:15 to be off the course or you got a DQ.
Ross did really well and had a super strong bike leg: he came 18th in his age-group and me 15th.
The organisation wasn’t the best to say the least and the Aquabike always seems like a bit of an add-on event with no real finish which was disappointing.
The travel dramas didn’t end there either, Sunday evening we received a text saying our return flight was cancelled and when we did finally arrive back to the UK, our bikes did not. Luckily, we have been reunited with all the lost luggage and delayed bikes and live to tell the story!
Arundel Triathlon – Sunday 18th May 2025
Nearly 35 Tuff competed in the Arundel events, with many others helping out on the organising team or coming along to support. The atmosphere was fantastic – and there were some cracking results too!
9 Tuffs took on the longer standard distance: Jon Cassell (3rd overall and 1st in his age group), Graeme Hadlow (also inside the top 10), Adrian Oliver, Nathan Cooper, Adam Stringer, Samuel Mahe, Clare Worgan, Karl Halom and Vicki Hedger. Sam sent in the following glowing race report:
I’d been looking forward to the Arundel Triathlon for a whole year! I hadn’t heard of it before (as I was new to triathlons), but with Arundel being one of my favourite places, it was an absolute must-do — and it didn’t disappoint.
As a slower swimmer, the 6:05am start time was perfect — nice and early, with that fresh morning chill that works brilliantly for me. The 750m swim flew by. I’m pretty sure the pool is just under 25m, which made it feel quicker. Jumping into a 30°C pool on a cold morning? Absolutely lush. Plus, having someone count your lengths is such a luxury — I usually lose track around length five!
Transition to the bike was smooth and straightforward. I always love the moment I get on my bike — that’s when the fun really kicks in. The roads were gloriously quiet that early in the day, with barely any wind and no potholes (seriously — not one that I remember!). The climb up to Whiteways was a great way to settle in, and chasing someone ahead always gives that little extra push. Then the downhill stretch on the second lap? Hit 40mph — bliss!
The 11-mile lap format was spot on — mentally easy to manage and kept things flowing nicely. I reckon the standard distance riders lucked out getting to ride earlier than the sprinters.
The run was out past Black Rabbit and over — a route I know well. A few cheeky hills definitely made me question why I hadn’t just done the aquabike, but they were satisfying to conquer. I kept running the whole time, no walking — just kept ticking over even when it got tough.
Running back into the Lido was a brilliant finish, with people still prepping for their races and loads of energy around.
It was amazing seeing so many Tuffs out there — that really made the day! Huge shout-out to Shebay and Tess for helping with the stickers and setup bright and early (and Tess telling me to hurry up in transition made me laugh). Lovely to see Clive as always, spotted Karl mid-run, and caught Hazel before I set off.
Brilliant vibe, wonderful people, stunning route — I’m 100% keen to do it again next year.
And the cherry on top? I lost my shades — and the organiser not only found them but delivered them to my house. Now that’s next level!
21 Tuffs competed in the Sprint Triathlon, namely James Togneri, Tom Goddard (both inside the top 10 and 2nd and 3rd senior males respectively), Gareth Coombes, Simon Thistlethwaite, Paul Martin, Abi Clark, Olly Sampson, Hazel Tuppen, Dan Lawrence, Olivia Morey, Paul Fielder, Catherine Belsham- Revell, Callum Kalbfell, Sophie Garbo, Katie Goddard, Jessica Coombes, Les Pearce, Rhian Standley, Kate Cooper (me!), Claire Moyle and Christine Griffin.
Further special mentions go to Abi Clark competing in her first triathlon and overcoming her nerves to finish first U20 female, Hazel Tuppen for making it back to triathlon competitions after a long break, new mums Olivia Morey and Jess Coombes and Claire Moyle for finishing 3rd in her age group.
Olivia Morey, reported in on her (very impressive) return to racing:
It was a last-minute decision to do the Arundel Sprint Tri. The journey back to training was led from the front by fellow post-partum Tuff Jessica Coombes. Getting active again has been a steady process and has required being opportunistic around having a baby. This has been made possible by willing grandparents, a running buggy suitable for < 6months old and having an incredibly supportive partner in Gareth Coombes.
My race goal was to complete the course. The day itself reflected a slower and steady swim for me (unsurprising as I have only been for 3 swims this year!). Due to poor organisation on my front, I ended up doing the cycle without cleats but still managed to get round in a decent time. The first kilometre of the run was challenging (as always) and I settled into a steady pace and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Post run hydration stations looking a bit different now (see photo)! Enjoying my journey back into triathlons and am fully aware now that there are a small pair of eyes watching and I want to set the example that even when you’re training isn’t on point and PBs are unlikely, turning up, trying your best and enjoying the event are just as important outcomes.
Kelly Johnson, Jenny Oliver and Chris Evans all competed in the Standard Aquabike event and Kelly took the time to send in her thoughts:
Having injured my knee at the Worthing half marathon, I made a last-minute switch from the standard triathlon to the aquabike. It was a cold start, so it was nice to get into the warm pool the swim went well. The transition was a bit slower than I would have liked: I struggled to get my jacket on and my race belt got into a tangled mess, but I finally made it out on the bike. I really enjoyed the cycle loop: the climb is hard, but the rest of the route is fast and flowing. Very happy with my time and 2nd place overall.
Ness Green, a week after Mallorca 70.3, came 3rd in the Sprint Aquabike event: that’s one way to recover!
World Sprint Triathlon 2026 Qualifier – Dorney Lake – Sunday 25th May 2025
Thank you to Bob Rogers for sending in this very modest account of his World Sprint Triathlon qualifying event:
After pre-season training interrupted by a continuing (not yet sorted) knee problem, I took part in last Sunday’s (25th May) World Sprint Triathlon 2026 Qualifier at Dorney Lake. Although it was the same for everyone, conditions were tough due to a strong gusty headwind. The up-course 350 metres swim was into choppy water, four times round the exposed bike course and the upwind first 2.5km of the run were challenging, but the final 2.5 km run downwind was almost refreshing!
My primary aim of finishing was successfully achieved and, to my surprise, I was first in my Age Group (80-84). But it was a very small and ancient group!
My next challenge (knees permitting) is the British Championships 2025 and European Sprint Qualifier 2026 at Blenheim on Sunday 8th June.
Seven Sisters Half Marathon – Sunday 25h May 2025
The ever-intrepid Claire Moyle swapped her bike for trainers last weekend and tackled the Seven Sisters Half Marathon:
Seven Sisters Half Marathon, which is part of the South Downs Ultra event, was well organised with good signage and great fuel stops. I hadn’t planned to do this event as I don’t run trails or hills(!) but was egged into it by a friend. Having cycled 100k on Saturday, I had planned to just have a day out and enjoy the views and definitely not run up any hills. In my mind they would be very steep, but in reality they weren’t too bad. Driving over the weather was wet and windy, but with a later start of 10am the rain had cleared and the sun was coming though. It was extremely windy but warm. I found myself running up most of the hills at the beginning and before long I was over halfway round. The course split and I knew we had to find the checkpoint, which was slightly off course, so I was constantly checking for the markers as I was worried that I would miss it, but suddenly there were marshals and flags, so I knew I was fine. After refuelling the hills did get steeper and the running slowed, but I made it to the top of Beachy Head and I knew I would soon be at the finish line. I must say I actually enjoyed it and, yes, I can do hills and trails without falling over which is a bonus! Nice medal too!
parkrun Round Up
Saturday 17th May 2025
As usual Littlehampton parkrun saw the most Tuff action, but perhaps as it was the day before Arundel Triathlon just 4 Tuffs ran: Steve Fryer, Stephen Feest, Amy Kidd and Chris Evans. Dave March, Hazel Sheward and Sue Pinky took part in Worthing, with Hazel gaining a PB by 2 minutes! Glenn Parisi, Trevor Harvey and Al Evans took a trip to Chichester parkrun, while Amanda De Ridder was unusually the only Tuff at Bognor parkrun. Paul Fielder took a trip to Hove Promenade, while Colin and Sue Simpson ran at Morden, with Sue running her 251st parkrun!
Saturday 24th May 2025
There was a smattering of Tuffs around West Sussex and beyond last Saturday, with Steve Fryer making one of his regular visits to Killerton parkrun in Devon and Trevor Harvey taking part at his home Maidenhead parkrun. Debbie Birch took a trip inland to Tilgate and Stephen Feest ran at Chichester. Along the coast, Nathan Bilham, Glenn Parisi and Clive Harvey ran at Bognor, while Paul Fielder and Les Pearce were at Worthing. Fraser Kidd, Adrian Oliver and Al Evans all participated at Littlehampton with Hope Newcomer and Chris Evans on volunteering duty.
