TV presenter Charlie Webster and Olympian Vicky Holland join record crowds for the final day of the 2013 Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon
June 9, 2013 – A record number of 15,000 spectators flooded through the grounds at Blenheim Palace for the final day of the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Blenheim Palace Triathlon.
While last year’s elite race was a clear win for the Brownlee Brothers, which saw them cross the finish line together in their last race before the London 2012 Olympic Games, this year’s was wide open for the elites to battle it out for a podium place.
The British Triathlon Super Series kicked off to an exciting start as London 2012 GB representative Vicky Holland and former 2010 Junior Male triathlete of the Year, Tom Bishop, raced to victory completing the race in 1:06.58 seconds and 1:00.21 seconds respectively.
As Holland’s first race of the season, as a result of recent injury, she was a surprise winner, having trailed behind former 1500m runner Emma Pallant on the second lap she overtook to finish the race with a hard, long sprint securing her victory ahead of Pallant, who followed a mere 8 seconds behind.
Holland said, “The toughest part was by far the transition to swim, trying to get moving after that is so hard, especially as, when you get off the bike, the underfoot is unclear, but it was a great feeling to be back on form racing again. I wanted to race Blenheim as it’s such an iconic UK race, it’s super challenging and, with a great setting, what more can you ask for?”
Runner up Pallant was similarly a dark horse of the competition having only recently changing her sport of choice from athletes –in which she was under 23 Cross Country champion in 2011 and mentored by Dame Kelly Holmes through her early career- to triathlons.
Pallant said, “This was a really tough challenge, especially the transition, but I am really pleased with my result, I didn’t expect to come second.”
Bishop, who finished the swim in third and then led from the onset on the bike, went on to have the fastest run of all the elite males with a time of 17 minutes 36 seconds, an impressive 16 seconds ahead of Andrew Christie who came second.
Bishop commented, “Blenheim Palace Triathlon is always a quality event and as the first race of the season I think it went pretty well! I’m already really looking forward to my next race.”
Also this weekend was day two for the Weekend Warriors, an endurance and fundraising challenge devised by title sponsor and charity partner Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, in which a select group of triathletes complete numerous sprint triathlons over the course of the weekend.
Following a cumulative 15 sprint triathlons in the first day of the event, the Weekend Warriors continued to amaze the crowds over the course of the second day, clocking up an impressive nine waves between them, amounting to a total of 24 throughout the weekend. Ex-pro triathlete Tyler O’Callaghan managed the most sprint waves throughout the weekend.
O’Callaghan commented, “I’m really proud of myself to have completed eight sprint waves throughout the course of the weekend, it has exceeded even what I thought I was capable of. I saw Mark Bayliss as my toughest competition so I’m very pleased with my result.”
Fellow Warrior Ed Sutton commented; “It was great to have so much encouragement from the crowds along the way. I didn’t think I was going to pull through on the second race of the day but I managed to push through to the finish line.”
www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/weekendwarriors
Sky Sports News presenter Charlie Webster and Skechers professional athlete Rhys Davey participated in today’s corporate wave mixed relay.
Webster commented on her involvement, “I was really nervous at first having not run for a long time due to injury, but I’m really pleased with the race and my result. The location and the stunning views made it really enjoyable as well as great preparation for my future triathlon challenges.”
Davey adds, “The Blenheim Palace Triathlon is always a fantastic event and so it was great to get involved this year. It was great to see families out enjoying the sunshine, cheering on their loved ones.”
Matt Lawley, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Running & Triathlons Manager, commented on the weekend event, “The whole event has been a runaway success and raised over £200,000 for the charity. All the money raised will help us in our mission to beat blood cancer and improve patients.’ lives. We can’t wait for another successful Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon next year!”
Register your interest in the 2014 event now to gain access to 48 hour a priority window before the event goes on sale to the general public. http://www.theblenheimtriathlon.com/
To keep up with all the latest news from the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon, visit www.twitter.com/blenheimtri and www.facebook.com/blenheimtri
The event is proudly sponsored by Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research , Skechers, Maxifuel, Speedo, Timex, Tri UK , Cycleguard and Virgin money Giving.