- ‘Stimmo’
STIMPSON STORMS TO WIN!
Last Sunday saw a fantastic start to the cross country season for Hitchin based triathlon club FVS TRI.
As in previous seasons, athletes from the club put in strong performances against specialist run competition, in what is an unfamiliar discipline for triathletes.
The first round of this year’s series, held in bright but blustery conditions in Broxbourne, saw Sarah Stimpson make a spectacular cross country debut for the club with victory in the women’s competition. Her time of 31:49 was not only good enough to win the women’s competition, but was also the fourth fastest club time overall, including male athletes!
Also producing a noteworthy performance in the women’s competition, Gemma Sargent clocked a time of 35:44 to finish 8th women overall.
Other female members competing were; Anna Holden (39:29), Lisa Dunne (40:12), Jackie Perry (41:51), Elodie Irving (42:12), Naomi Woodland (43:51), Alison Sprawson (44:14), Karen Parnell (46:20).
In the men’s competition, elite athlete Stephen Harrison secured a great 4th place finish overall for the club with a blistering time of 28:26.
Proving that age is no barrier to great times; Simon Hall (30:50), Gavin May (31:38) and Brian White (32:13) ensured that the club topped the Masters Team competition.
Also competing in the men’s competition were; James Grierson (32:18), Mike Russell (32:32), James Bedford (32:40), Steve Chalk (34:36), Richard Allen (34:49), Andrew Mussett (36:03), Mick Humphris (36:18), Steve Moakes (36:24), Rob Davies (36:25), Jon Wilson (36:29), Ed Manson (36:47), John Rose (37:11), Pete Eames (37:47), Keith Perry (38:13), Ian Hobbs (39:02), Steve Musset (44:54).
In addition to leading the men’s Masters Team competition, the clubs male athletes also ensured that they enter the next round in second place in both the men’s A and B Team competition, with the club’s female athletes securing third place in the women’s A Team competition.
The next round will take place on 22 November at Rowney Warren and will be hosted by FVS TRI itself.
Making it two races in two days; Karen Parnell ran the Nike Human Race 10k in London’s Victoria Park on Saturday. Having raced at the same event last year, Parnell’s time of 53:35 represented a dramatic improvement of more than 15 minutes compared to her 2008 performance.
And finally; James Bedford ran the Henlow 10 road race on Wednesday, recording a time of 1:05:20 to finish in an excellent 15th place overall.
