As the weeks roll on, there are more and more events starting to come together, with some quite local and some very far away, with Olly Simon heading over to South Africa. The world of cycling, running and triathlons from Tenby is certainly getting larger and wider all the time.

Asics Manchester Marathon

Sunday saw the 40th holding of the Manchester Marathon, sponsored by Asics. It is billed as the UK’s flattest, fastest and friendliest marathon, and it attracts not only a top quality British elite field, but also athletes of all levels and abilities, with first time marathon runners and seasoned professionals looking to take on the 26.2 mile course, with many looking to gain a personal best.

The athletes woke up to a fine and sunny morning, perfect for lining up on the start line. We had four aces taking part, Paul and Julie Slack, Shauna Rowell and Mandy Draper, and as it is billed looking for fast times on the flat course, and with the added attraction for the Slacks and Shauna of finishing at Old Trafford what could be better.

The race got under way and the pro runners up at the front very quickly pulled away from the main pack of the rest of the field, with the winning athlete Steven Bayton coming across the finish line in an amazing time of 2:22:34 - amazing as it was his first marathon.

But enough of the pros, back to our members, with Paul completing the course in 3:12:59 and coming across the line in 821st place, a brilliant time and position as there were over 9,300 finishers, let alone the ones that didn’t finish. Mandy then with another marathon under her belt in 3:46:38, and the with Julie and Shauna, as they always do, running together, chatting all the way, in 5:28:04 and5:28:05. Well done to all four of them.

Hedge Crashers Coffee Morning

With the Wales Air Ambulance being ours and the Hedge Crashers charity of the year after they were called into action with our members Mike and Paula Smith last year, it would be great if members could support on Saturday when the Hedge Crashers are holding a coffee morning in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, between 10 am and 2 pm. There will also be a raffle held on the day, with lots of great prizes.

Ironman

South Africa

Oliver Simon headed out to South Africa last week to take on his first Ironman event of the season, and with it being staged in Nelson Mandela Bay and the city of Port Elizabeth, this was a a chance to compete in another beachside resort, but this time with weather slightly better than our own.

The city of Port Elizabeth is South Africa’s second oldest city, and is situated on Nelson Mandela Bay - named after the freedom fighter and world icon of peace. Although it is named a city, it is a quiet beachside town compared to its more urban counterparts, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Athletes and spectators who travel here get the unique opportunity to visit one of the most wildly beautiful and historically significant areas of the world.

With the swim being a one-lap, 3.8km beginning on Hobie Beach, the athletes head out parallel from the pier and turn left after 300 metres. The course then goes past Humewood Beach all the way to Kings Beach, before turning and heading back towards Hobie Beach. The water temperature is usually in the mid-70s and the seas are often calm.

Then out onto the bike course, featuring a new route in 2016, taking athletes out on two flat, fast laps of 90 km on one of the most spectacular bike courses on the Ironman circuit. The route takes athletes along the coast at Marine Drive, delivering sweeping views of the ocean and the rugged coastline along a marine protected area, before moving slightly inland at Seaview on an undulating scenic countryside section.

Athletes return along the coast to the transition area to start the run. The run course has been changed for the first time in its 11-year history, the new run course will bring athletes closer to their fans and friends than ever thanks to four loops along Marine Drive and the event’s famous crowds of 80,000-plus spectators.

Olly unfortunately had to pull out of the race on the run leg due to the heat, with the temperatures up in the 30 degree mark. Previously he was doing very well, coming out of the swim in 12th place with a time of 52:53 and a bike leg of 4:50:26. But with another race in four weeks we will all be supporting him again.

Acme Wheelers 25 Mile Time Trial

Last weekend also saw Gareth Rees, Colin Barrett and Julie Andrasko taking part in the Neath 25 Mile Time Trial hosted by the Acme Wheelers Club. Unfortunately at time of going to press there were no results available. But the club is looking to take a more active role in time trials this year, so keep a check on the facebook page for more details.

Hereford Duathlon

Vicky Jones who has moved up to Brecon, is still taking part in events and doing very well. She competed in the Hereford Duathlon last Sunday, which was being held at the Whitecross Sports College, Hereford.

Vicky was competing in the sprint race which was an initial run of 2.4 miles, which she completed in 19:35, before jumping on the bike over 17 miles of an undulating course in a time of 56:37, and then finishing off with the second run leg of 2.2 miles in 16:39 and an overall time of 1:32:51.

Vicky did very well coming first female in the veteran category. And with 159 people racing altogether an excellent result. Even if the trophy was worded as 1st vintage and not 1st veteran.