Race report written by James Delve
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Having made the 270 mile journey to the Lake District, Sunday 12th September saw seven members
of Stortford Tri compete in the Helvellyn Triathlon, billed as one of the UK’s toughest triathlons.
A far from ordinary triathlon run route, at a height 3118 feet, 950 metres Helvellyn is England’s 3rd
highest mountain, and including a bike route over the Lake District’s highest pass that is open to
motor traffic.
The entire event was excitingly live streamed via YouTube as part of a Department for Culture,
Media and Sport backed 5G project to bring new audiences to endurance sport and enhance the
coverage of brilliant grassroots events. Friends and family were able to watch professionally shot live
race coverage from some of the most inaccessible and exciting parts of the course, with drones
capturing live action from the water, the road and over the fell.
Based in the picturesque village of Glenridding, in near perfect weather conditions, the race
commenced with a 1,500 metre swim in the chilly and crystal clear Lake Ullswater.
Competitors then cycled a 38 mile loop via Ambleside, including a 2.5 mile 1,489 feet climb to the
top of the Kirkstone Pass, culminating in the infamous “Struggle”.
Following the fast and technical bike descent back into Glenridding, the team commenced a 9 mile
fell run course. Having to carry bags containing nutrition and hydration supplies, along with
mandatory safety equipment, racers completed the ascent of Helvellyn with an exciting and nerve
shredding scramble over Swirral Edge. Having reached the summit, racers made the steep zig zag
scree pathed descent once more back into Glenridding to complete the event.
All seven entrants managed to successfully complete the challenging course, with Themi Petridis
leading the way for Stortford Tri in a competitive field of over 500 triathletes. Following a speedy
bike leg with one of the fastest ascents of the day to the summit of Helvellyn, to finish with a superb
19th overall and 3rd age category finish, completing the race in 3 hours 57 minutes. Having achieved
the fastest Stortford Tri swim split of the day, next to finish was Kevin Mully, 56th overall and with a
17th age category finish for an excellent time of 4 hours 13 minutes. Steve Price was next home
following a very strong bike leg in a time of 4 hours 31 minutes, placing 124 h overall. Following in
shortly afterwards was Matt Cole and James Delve in 236th and 237th places respectively, both at
4hours 56 minutes. Following a strong swim section Laurence Foote crossed the line after 5 hours 1
minute, placing 255th. Dave Broughton rounding a 376th place and a great team effort in 5 hours 39
minutes.
