Stratford Triathlon Spectator Report (by Anthony)

Sunday 28th April 2024- “For the rain it raineth every day” (Twelfth Night, Act 5, Scene 1) courtesy of Mark (our 4th member on the course today).

I am writing this report from the point of a spectator today.

As one of the early season openers for 2024 and a regular race for many of our club members this always fees like the unofficial start of the Triathlon Season.

There were 6 official STC members and one adopted member taking part today:

• Elspeth (winner????of female category)
• Ann
• Connor
• Mark & Glen D (both with the same start time)
• Morgan
• (Chasewaters’ Abbie)

El was out first, watching her swim was like seeing a Great White hunting down its prey. Ann was in next, graceful as ever, she ate up the laps quick time. Connor was in next, he had his own incentive knowing Morgan was behind.

At this point I went back outside to cheer them on in T1. Only to see a familiar face in Glen M, also on supporter duties. Into T1 our brave triathletes came.

El, Ann, Connor, then came the popcorn suspense moment, who would be next, Mark or Glen, both guys swim in the same lanes on a Wednesday as buddies but today was different.. the term Mortal Enemies would be an apt description.

Myself and Glen M had our front row seats to this blockbuster clash and the first round went to…. Mark, he came out of his swim and was on the bike so quick we nearly missed him, a well performed heel flick was all I could catch on camera. Glen D wasn’t far behind and the only club member to perform the fabled moving bike mount.

Last but not least into the race went the super confident Morgan. Today was his first Triathlon race and even the poor weather conditions didn’t dampen his confidence (pun intended). Hunt mode activated and off he went.

At this point you will have to wait for course feedback from each athlete but from the drive in, swim goggles were still needed.

Everyone came back in injury free and maybe a little wetter than when they exited the pool. Which made getting into running shoes a minor inconvenience and there were even some snapped shoe laces as a result.

The run course wasn’t without its hazards and there were a few dodgy places that required some fancy footwork to navigate (Morgan described them as akin to a slip and slide) everyone overcame these and the final 20m was a straight flat concrete stretch which made for some picturesque sprint finishes.

I will let the athletes share their times with you in their own posts but I want to thank each and everyone of them for taking part in what was really tough conditions and entertaining the crowd. Well done all!

Update: Congratulations Elspeth for winning the female category today!