Triathlon
Duo enjoy that winning feeling

Buy photos » Sam Anderson takes to the top step of the podium. (s)

OLYMPIC distance races dominated Rugby Triathlon Club’s competition schedule at the weekend and the club produced two winners in the form of Mike Smallwood and Sam Anderson.

Smallwood successfully defended his British Olympic title in the 65-69 age group at the British Championships at Ellesmere, Shropshire.

He beat his nearest rival by almost seven minutes and finished the 1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run in 2-18.24 to mean he currently holds the British Sprint and Olympic, World Sprint and European Sprint titles.

Fellow competitor and Club Captain Keith Edwards managed to knock two minutes off his 2007 time.

Despite heavy rain making the cycle route extremely difficult and a fall from his bike near the end, he finished 11th in his age group (50-54) in 2-11.57.

Meanwhile at Grendon, Northamptonshire, Anderson won the ladies overall in 2-21.17, her first Olympic overall win.

The Grendon race forms part of the Club Championships so many club members entered.

Full results: Sam Anderson, 2-21.17, 1st overall, 1st in age group (25-29); Stuart Hopkins, 2-11.00, 3rd in age group (35-39); Matt Uzzell, 2-25.56, 11th in age group (40-44); Tony Johnson, 2-29.23, 1st in age group (60-64); Paul Askquith-Ellis, 2-33.50, 14th in age group (30-34); Derek Birch, 2-38.55, 20th in age group (40-44); John Austin, 2-41.07, 18th in age group (45-49); Jane Needham, 2-42.26, 2nd in age group (40-44); Josie Goodwin, 2-59.46, 2nd in age group (45-49); Victoria Nicols, 3-01.47; 3rd in age group (25-29).

LOAN member Lawrence Webb tried his hand at an Olympic sea triathlon in Llandudno. He finished fourth in his age group (40-44) in 2-42.00.

Claire James in an open water pool sprint race at Banbury came fourth in her age group in 1-28.37 despite battling high winds and hail.

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