Amazing Racing from Team Oxygenaddict!
What a phenomenal few weeks for Team Oxygenaddict athletes!
We’ve had a truly global presence at races over the past few weeks with PBs galore, podiums and world champ’s qualifications. We’ve been overflowing with achievements – results we and our athletes could have only dreamed of when we launched Team Oxygenaddict in January. Let’s take a look at who’s achieved what over the past few weeks…
Long Course Weekend – Tenby, Wales
Conditions were extremely tough this year – plenty of Jellyfish and a treacherous bike course for David Waugh and Gareth Petts to contend with. David, for whom this was a big step up in terms of distance and difficulty did an amazing job to collect his medal, coming home in 15:55. Next step – UK Ironman 2017 for David!
Gareth had a storming race including 7th fastest bike and 4th fastest run. Cruising to a sub-10 hr time (9:59), and 5th overall. A brilliant result and the perfect stepping stone for the Ironman World Champs in Kona in October…
Triathlon X
Coach Rob on one of the many Lakeland passes in Triathlon X
Our very own Coach Rob led by example, completing what has been voted the toughest triathlon in the world – Triathlon X, in the Lake district. An incredible achievement, made even more incredible by the fact that he recorded his exploits throughout the day for the Cup of Tri Podcast – it’s well worth a listen!
UK Ironman – Bolton
A great turnout from Team Oxygenaddict with 6 athletes racing.
Chris Scott was extremely happy with his IM debut coming home in 13:09 – “I enjoyed the race more than any other – the best energy from a course for me. Great day, learnt lots, felt confident and next time I’ll be even better”
Jahn Hanson also successfully made his IM debut, mentally and physically toughing it out on an incredibly painful run.
Pat Walkington, having completed Bolton before, PB’d in the swim, had a strong bike but had to hold back slightly on the run due to an Achilles niggle. His 12:36 was still a PB though – great work Pat!
Nick Faulks unfortunately didn’t have the mechanical gods on his side and had to pull out with bike issues. He’ll be back stronger and faster than ever, ready to make amends.
Matt Wackett had an amazing IM debut at Bolton, finishing in 10:56 on what is not at all a fast course. Matt is a shining example of what’s possible as a result hard work and commitment and it’s scary to think how fast he’ll be able to go with another year’s training!
And finally Andy Heaps finished a few minutes behind Matt in 11:05. Next time Matt 😉
Andy at UK Ironman
Challenge Roth
Roth is without a doubt one of, if not the most iconic races in the world. We had Matt Greenhill and Brett Connolly representing.
Brett soaked up the atmosphere, crossing the line in 13:22 and collecting his medal (and selfie!) from British pro Laura Siddall, and also getting to meet and chat to the legend that is Chrissie Wellington.
With very little run training due to injury, Matt still managed a great day out, finishing in 11:23
Challenge Iceland
Leahn with Heather Wurtele @ Challenge Iceland
Leahn Parry took part in what looks like one of the most spectacular 70.3 races in the world. But he wasn’t there for the scenery – claiming 5th age-grouper overall despite a nasty fall off the bike after being attacked by birds!! That performance secured his spot for the 2017 Challenge 70.3 World Champs in Samorin – well done Leahn!
ETU Long Distance Champs – Poznan, Poland
Roz’s silver medal from the ETU long distance champs
Roz McGinty, who is no stranger to wearing GB kit was in Poznan to compete in the European Long Distance Championships. Swimming, biking and running to a MASSIVE PB Roz then found herself on the podium picking up a medal for 2nd place in her age group. Incredible performance!
The Outlaw
As popular, and arguably as good as UK Ironman, The Outlaw also had a great Team Oxygenaddict showing with 5 competitors including several more iron-distance debuts.
Sylvie Wollaston, who’s only target was to finish her first long distance tri met her target. She did it in style – winning the F50-54 age group by over 30 minutes. What a way to make your debut, well done Slyvie, we can’t wait to see where you go from here!
Sylvie with her AG winner’s trophy at Outlaw!
It was also Roger Knight’s first iron distance event – a perfectly executed race meant he smashed his expectations, crossing the line in 11:47. “Someone asked me which bit of my race was hardest and it suddenly dawned on me that I had actually had the perfect race. I have to put this down to the plan and how well it has worked. I couldn’t have asked for more so cheers Rob – it’s starting to sink in how well it went”
Read more about Roger’s triathlon journey here
Simon Whitby, another athlete that has struggled with running injuries of late put in a great performance to finish in 10:40. Paul Dennett had a great day with a huge PB of over 40 minutes. And not to be outdone, James England also finished with a massive PB of 75 minutes!
And all this in the space of a few weeks – Phew! We’re incredibly proud of what our athletes have achieved so far. It’s great to see all the hard work and dedication of 2016 paying off in droves – and there’s plenty of the season left yet!