What a fabulous last couple of months for Blackburn Harriers Jack Hindle. After winning the British Championships at The Outlaw Half Triathlon held on Sunday July 9th at Holkham Hall, Jack then received his Pro Licence and entered the Ironman 70.3 Zell AM See-Kaprun in Austria on Sunday September 3rd after just six weeks preparing for it. The event consisted of a 1.9k swim, a 90k bike ride and a half-marathon. Jack had an outstanding day, mixing it with some of the best athletes in the world. Posting 24.48 for the swim, 2hr.13.55 for the bike ride and 77.35 for the half-marathon saw him place in the top 10 – 9th with a combined time of 4hr 02.13. (RESULTS)
The Club spoke to Jack about his race and how he thought it had gone telling us “I wanted to race one more time this year, and I felt like I needed to justify getting my professional license from the British Champs. Time was always going to be against me in prepping for the race, with only 6 weeks and a last minute decision to race. The build up couldn’t have been better, and I felt in good condition before it. I didn’t really know what to expect, or where I would position. All I knew is that I could only control the controllable. Race day was hard and it showed the step up that professional racing is. The only way I can describe it, is there’s no let up, the race is always on. But on reflection I felt in control all day and was in the race, as opposed to just making up the numbers. Finishing in the top 10 wasn’t really were I thought I’d be, and I’ve got to be proud of that. I was in the company of multiple Ironman and 70.3 champions and World Champion podium athletes. I’m an athlete always looking at how to better myself and there’s lots to take away. I’m slightly gutted to miss out on the prize money by one place, but given the time I’ve had to prepare and who I’m racing. I’ve got to put that thought to one side and focus on the bigger picture. I still work 35-40 hour weeks, these athletes don’t. But hopefully that will change next year. That’s not an excuse just the harsh reality. I’m stepping out from racing for 2023 now, as the goal of becoming a professional has been achieved, I’ve secured my license for next year already. It’s time to reset now and come back healthier, stronger and faster. Thanks to everyone who has so dearly helped and supported me this year. 2024 is going to be exciting, but not without its challenges.”
⇔
This years Wigan 10k – held on Sunday September 3rd – featured a field of one thousand six hundred and twenty four runners (RESULTS) – the race being won by Liverpool Harrier’s Jon-Jo Doherty in 31.21 with Sale Harrier’s Philip Robertson in 2nd (32.07) and St Helens Striders Thomas Chadwick in 3rd place with a time of 32.14. Blackburn Harriers Chris Davies and Leah Hoole both ran in the race which saw Chris run 35.26 in 11th place overall and 1st. V45. Leah ran 44.55 (196th) in just her second ever race over the distance, which was a new PB by nearly a minute and a half.
⇔
V45 Mark Taylor entered the Long Distance Duathlon World Championships – Powerman Zofingen 2023 – in Switzerland at the weekend – an event that consists of a 10km run, 150km bike and a 30km run to finish the event off. (RESULTS). Speaking to the Club about his experience of the day in a GB vest, Mark told us that “It’s not every day you get the chance to pull a GB outfit on so I was determined to enjoy it come what may. It turned out to be a really tough day with baking temperatures alongside a very tough, but beautiful, course. I started with cramp on the second lap of three on the bike and just could not get enough sodium or fluid in to keep it at bay so lap 3 became about course management and making sure I could actually get the second run done. With loads of DNFs due to the conditions I’m delighted to have finished and ecstatic with my end result which banishes some of the imposter syndrome I had going into it.”
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor
Bottom of age U15 AgathaTaylor – in Switzerland supporting her dad Mark – took the opportunity to have a go at the Duathlon whilst she was there, it being run the day before. She entered into the youth race (age 14-15) and performed really well coming back the first girl from the first run and got caught on the bike. Agatha finished up as second girl overall and 1st international athlete! Her first international race (in Zofingen, Switzerland).
⇔
The 2023 Ben Nevis Race held on Saturday September 2nd featured over 400 runners, headed by race winner Lochaber’s Finlay Wild in a time of 1hr 35.26 followed by Alistair Thornton (Howgill Harriers) in 2nd (1hr 40.45) and Shettleston Harrier Dan Dry in 3rd spot (1hr 41.51). The Women’s race was won by York Knaveshire Harrier’s Rose Mather in a time of 1hr 59.52 from Bellahouston Road Runner’s Catriona MacDonald in 2nd (2hr.06.33) and Helm Hill’s Sharon Taylor in 3rd (2hr 06.51). Helen Leigh – running for Highland Hill Runners – had another great run in the mountains to cap off a very good year for her as she took 5th place overall with a time of 2hr 13.30. (RESULTS)
Speaking to the Club after her Race Helen told us “The route was changed for 2023 to reduce the environmental impact on the hill, so although my aim was to get a pb this year it was going to be a tall order. I had put a lot of training in, and was pleased to run over a minute pb, so roughly a 7min improvement on last year. I paced it well to finish strongly on the road section so although I finished 5th in a strong field I was delighted with my performance“.
Helen Leigh
⇔
The annual Bank Holiday Medal Meeting was held at Trafford on Monday August 28th and started brightly for U15 Abdollh Shriha knocking over three tenths off his previous best in the 80m Hurdles to clock a new PB time of 13.36 (4th). Abdollh placed 3rd in his Heat of the 100m clocking 13.37 and finished off the day with another new PB – his second of the day – in the Long Jump leaping out to 4.79m in 3rd place. U13 Millie Jordan ran 2.31.46 (6th) in her Heat of the U13 Girls 800m – just half a second outside her personal best. U13 Jack Baranowski was entered into one of the U15 boys 800m Heats and narrowly missed taking the win as he clocked 2.04.62 – one tenth outside his best in 2nd place behind the winner – Sale Harriers Liam O’Brien (2.04.17). U17 Harvey Holden took on the 100m and 100m Hurdles – clocking 12.59 (6th) in his Heat of the 100m and 15.64 in 2nd spot in the hurdles. Also in the 100m U17 Sienna Wareing went in (Heat 13) and ran a time of 14.19 in 4th place.
