Gavin May has lived the dream twice with a return to Ironman Hawaii after his debut in 2004. Having qualified for this prestigious event with a PB at Ironman Germany of 9:26:26, Gavin was devastated to be struck down by gastric flu in the week of the race. In true Ironman spirit he completed the event in a respectable but disappointing time for Gavin of 12:09:49, for the 2.4 mile ocean swim without wetsuit, 112 mile bike in baking heat and high humidity and a sapping full 26.2 mile marathon to finish. Gavin had prepared meticulously for this event and was well on target to beat his 2004 time of 11:59:50 but will now spend a couple of weeks recovering on the West Coast with family before plotting his return to Ironman in the spring.
Brian White was a superb first vet 50 and 17th overall from 12,500 entrants in the inaugural Royal Parks Half Marathon finishing in a time of 1:20:39.In unseasonally warm and calm weather conditions the scenic course started and finished in Hyde Park taking in Buckingham Palace ,Birdcage Walk, Westminster, Admiralty Arch, and the Mall all on closed roads with full barriers. Robbie Laughton finished in a time of 1:37:39 with Nina Pitcairn racing over the distance for the first time and completing in1:53:29. Chris Suckling also raced the half marathon distance recording a 1:33:01 in the Great Eastern Run.
Steve Harrison recorded a new PB at the Bala Olympic Triathlon for 4th overall with a 1:50:45 for the 1500m lake swim, 40k bike and 10k run. Steve was under a minute behind the winner and only 20 seconds separated 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Mike Bridge was a superb 10th in 1:58:55 having lost 3 places on the run in when stitch kicked in inconveniently!