THE sport of triathlon has been growing at a rapid rate in recent years, and East Anglia is no exception, with the emergence of new clubs and the increased popularity of events.

By Carl Marston

THE sport of triathlon has been growing at a rapid rate in recent years, and East Anglia is no exception, with the emergence of new clubs and the increased popularity of events.

This was reflected in last weekend's Culford Sprint Triathlon, organised by Ipswich Triathlon Club.

Entries reached their limit many weeks ago for an event which is ideal for beginners as well as more experienced triathletes.

More than 150 competitors tackled a 300m swim in the school's indoor pool, before venturing out on a 21km bike ride and finally a 4km run within the school grounds.

Oliver Milk, of Tri-Anglia, won the overall title with a degree of comfort in 51mins 06secs. His success was based around a cracking cycle leg of 33.22, which was the fastest split of the day. He also posted the fifth quickest swim time and the fourth best effort for the run. Milk was sixth last year.

Cambridge Tri's David Bettison was second in 52.34, thanks to the joint fastest run (13.36) and the second quickest bike ride.

He was a minute clear of third-placed Graham Perks, of Essex Police Tri.

Harry Smith had the distinction of covering the swim leg in the swiftest time of 3.39, eventually finishing fourth overall. Richard Woodard was the best-placed member of Ipswich Triathlon in sixth spot.

Hadleigh Hares could boast three finishers inside the top 20, led by Paul Barton (15th in 58.14) and pursued by Doug Grimwade (16th in 58.22) and John Chisnall (20th in 59.44). Hares' novice triathletes Martin Alabone (1.03.39) and Steve Bowen (1.04.47) also impressed.

Annabel Gates was first in the female ranks, thanks to a narrow 30-second advantage over runner-up Janet Burrows, from East Essex Tri. Gates' victory was mainly down to a good swim. Burrows improved from her third position of 12 months ago.

There was an outstanding effort from local competitor Julia Jepson. The Saint Edmund Pacer was third lady in 63.01, and first in her age category - there were many different age groups.

In the supporting Youth Triathlon, East Essex Tri's Joe Giggins was well clear of the field. He posted the quickest times for all three disciplines, registering a total time of 53.30 to win by more than four minutes from Williams Meadows. Nathan Colman, of West Suffolk Wheelers, was third.

Top 20:

1 O Milk (Tri-Anglia) 51.06

2 D Bettinson (Cambridge Tri) 52.34

3 G Perks (Essex Police Tri) 53.33

4 H Smith (East Essex Tri) 53.37

5 P Jarvis (Triathlon Essex) 54.19

6 R Woodward (Ips Triathlon) 54.27

7 G Lowrie (Cambridge Tri) 54.32

8 M Nowell (Tri Anglia) 56.07

9 J Ridgeon (Unattached) 56.25

10 K Tilley (Un) 56.34

11 N Payne (Newmarket Tri) 56.48; 12 D Warner (Harwich Runners) 56.54; 13 R Marsden (Un) 57.49; 14 J Bellamy (Un) 57.57; 15 P Barton (Hadleigh Hares) 58.14; 16 D Grimwade (Hadleigh) 58.22; 17 M Milburn (Un) 58.45; 18 D Maltarp (Un) 59.07; 19 J Tyrrell (Tri Anglia) 59.38; 20 J Chisnall (Hadleigh) 59.44

Other selected male (affiliated)

finishers: 23 J Long (Saint Edmund Pacers) 60.20; 24 S Lockwood (Ipswich Tri) 60.30; 28 D Clifford (Ipswich Tri) 60.43; 32 H Tomlin (53-12) 61.33; 33 D Husband (Ipswich Tri) 61.40; 36 D Gibson (Blackwater Tri) 62.03; 37 E Bastow (Pacers) 62.08; 38 A Grimwood (West Suffolk Wheelers) 62.11. 39= A Owen (Gt Bentley RC) 62.15; 39= T Gibson (Blackwater Tri) 62.15; 44 G Biggins (Blackwater Tri) 62.59; 46 C Cooke (Pacers) 63.04; 47 B McGeeney (Ipswich Tri) 63.07; 48 S Wolton (Halstead RR) 63.08; 49 M Alabone (Hadleigh) 63.34; 51 P Frindle (Halstead RR) 64.07; 52 N Coleman (Tri-Anglia) 64.30.

Top 10 ladies:

1 A Gates (BRAT) 60.55

2 J Burrows (East Essex Tri) 61.25

3 J Jepson (Pacers) 63.01

4 Z Shean (East Essex Tri) 64.32

5 R Sore (Leicester Tri) 66.45

6 A Mallett (Ipswich Tri) 68.05

7 L Hicks (Ipswich Tri) 68.10

8= K Chatting (Gt Bentley RC) 68.39 8= S Miller (Ipswich Tri) 68.39

10 S Fuller (East Essex Tri) 69.08

Other selected female (affiliated) finishers: 11 H Bastow 69.26; 15 J Chubb (Ipswich Tri) 69.52; 16 A Flanaghan 70.11; 19 D Ghant (Stowmarket Striders) 71.17; 23 S Jennings (Woodbridge Shufflers) 72.36; 25 C Anderson (Newmarket Joggers) 73.27; 26 C Geraghty (Stowmarket) 73.29; 27 M Constable (Ipswich Tri) 73.35; 28 J Konrath (Pacers) 74.12.

Culford Youth Triathlon, top three:

1 J Giggins (East Essex Tri) 53.30; 2 W Meadows (Team Tri UK) 57.46; 3 N Colman (West Suffolk Wheelers) 59.44.