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Plenty give it a Tri in Grantown


By Gavin Musgrove

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Organisers have said they were delighted with the 80 entries overall at Grantown Try Tri and pledged the event will be back next year.

Twenty years ago, the first Tri took place in glorious sunshine and it was more of the same on Sunday.

Competitors took on a 300m swim at the Craig MacLean Sports Centre, 16km bike ride around the Braes and 5k run through Anagach Woods.

Vicky Strange, a very late entry, claimed the ladies title in a time of 1:03:51 and also topped the female supervet category.

The men’s prize was claimed by Newtonmore’s Ben Anderson who swapped his usual mountain bike for a road bike.

His sponsorship by local club, Wee Bike Hub, has certainly paid dividends as Anderson who raced home in a time of 52:00 slashing three minutes off last year’s race time.

The vintage (60+) category attracted local residents Pete Moore and Sandra Barras, both competing in the event for the first time. They finished first and second in their respective categories.

Chairwoman Rebecca Mackellar said: “After resting their weary limbs on Sunday night, Pete and Sandra have every right to reflect on their success and should be planning their next events!”

Pete Moore crosses the finish line to claim the vintage men's title.
Pete Moore crosses the finish line to claim the vintage men's title.

At the other end of the age spectrum Grantown Primary School pupil Kitty Burgess (11), the youngest competitor, steadily worked her way around the course with father, Stuart, to finish first in the Female Tristar 2 category.

Grantown Grammar School S1 pupil Archie Laing won the Male Tristar 2 category and finished in 12th place overall.

Locals swept up the prizes as Grantown's girls Sarah Thorburn and Mairi Crawford placing first in the female senior and veteran categories respectively and Marilyn Hemingway, from Aviemore, claimed the accolade of first female vintage.

Archie Laing in Anagach Woods on his way to winning the Male Tristar 2 category (photo: EJHope)
Archie Laing in Anagach Woods on his way to winning the Male Tristar 2 category (photo: EJHope)

There was a strong field of male supervets including local Grantown

Grammar School teacher Laurence Phin and Forres teacher and triathlon

organiser, Tim Pott.

Michael Ayres, however, having cycled to the event from his home in Nairn, could have taken home his first male veteran prize if he had not been back on his road bike, cycling home again after his category win.

Grantown tennis player Tim Cooke entered with fellow club player Sarah Williamson as 'Double Trouble' to take the overall team prize in 1:03:46.

They were closely followed by family team 'Looking Good' comprising cousins Isla Garden and Carys Holland with their uncle, Paul Matheson.

The male team winners were Duncan, Ben and Roderick Sparham spurred on the by cheers of mum Kirsty, who was taking a break from entering this year.

Mrs Mackellar said: "The event relies on the good-will of all the local marshals and once again the Grantown Swim Club remained in stalwart support, organising the pool and run marshals.

"The sponsorship support from Masson Cairns Solicitors and Estate Agents and EAL Electrical and Maclean's Bakery is always hugely welcomed by the committee."

Full results can be found at www.try-tri.co.uk


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