Andy Lewis, 32, started his tri career just last year as a member of Triathlon England’s talent squad before graduating into the GB paratriathlon squad.
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Andy Lewis, 32, started his tri career just last year as a member of Triathlon England’s talent squad before graduating into the GB paratriathlon squad.
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A former cross country runner for Gloucestershire and a boxing coach for three years, Andy recently won bronze in the PT2 category (see classifications below) at the Madrid ITU World Paratriathlon Event.
How does the set-up in Loughborough work with you?
I currently attend Loughbourgh five days a week and it works quite well. It’s great to be around the team and have access to the coaches and experts to ensure I get what I need.
How important is the Hub to you?
It’s so important to have this facility. For me, I’m very motivated but I find training at the hub pushes me even further.
What would qualifying for the Paralympics mean to you?
I, along with many others, have made massive sacrifices – giving up my job, leaving my home and family (wife and two children) at home, so qualifying would mean the world to us.
It’s a hard hill to climb and I’m currently at the bottom making my way through the trees. We have to remember that I only started triathlon one year ago so getting points and on starts lists now is the most important thing for me.
With no precedent for tri in the Paralympics, how are you approaching this huge race target?
>>> Three more paratriathlon medal events for Rio 2016
Taking every day one step at a time, really. I don’t know what to expect to be honest, some of the guys have been to the Paralympics before but for me it’s such a big thing. I just can’t focus on it right now as there are so many things that need resolving first.
What’s your main goal this year?
For me it will be to improve all aspects of my performance taking each one very seriously. My main goal this year is to qualify for the Worlds and Europeans, but the PT2 cat is so new that we’re currently chasing points to make this happen. We (me and Ryan Taylor) can only do our best and hope that we get GB points.
Do you have a nemesis in your category?
For me, every competitor deserves respect to be competing at that level with a disability. But when the horn goes on race day, it’s just me, my bike and my blade.
What would you say are your biggest strengths and weaknesses in paratri?
I’m very focused on what I want. I’m a big team player but my strengths lie in my planning and motivation. I’ve made massive gains in the swim.
My weakness is possibly worrying about things I can’t control. However with the support of Steve Casson my coach I can refocus my energy very quickly.
How much does your disability affect you in training?
Due to me using my good leg a lot it becomes very tired and has to be managed very carefully. But I also suffer quite badly with sores on my stumps.
I don’t get funding or sponsorship for my prosthetics so when this happens I need to spend a lot of time getting it right.
How do you balance family, work and training?
This is the hardest thing for me to manage, as I find leaving my family at times of need really difficult. My wife has been so strong with me but trying to explain to a one-year-old that daddy has to go away is hard.
I gave up my job to become a full-time athlete (something I never thought I could say), so my family know why I’m doing it. But as a dad, sometimes I wish I could do normal dad things, it’s just hard to fit it all in.
Who or what inspires you most on a bad training day?
Hard one that. I would say when I’m in Loughbourgh and I’m not having a bad day, Joe Townsend. We get along really well and he always makes me laugh.
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But when I’m at home it’s my wife and kids. Coming home after a bad day and seeing their faces always makes me smile.
Paralympic category classifications
PT1 Wheelchair users. Athletes use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment.
PT2 Athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and/or athethosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.
PT4 As above but with less severe impairment.
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PT5 Total or partial visual impairment, competes with a guide.
With Ironman 70.3 Staffs getting ever closer – three weeks people! – we held a Twitter Q&A with triathlon coach Simon Ward last night, focusing on the 70.3 training and racing issues that our readers are facing….
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>>> Move to the middle – Ironman 70.3 training plan
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With Ironman 70.3 Staffs getting ever closer – three weeks people! – we held a Twitter Q&A with triathlon coach Simon Ward last night, focusing on the 70.3 training and racing issues that our readers are facing….
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>>> Move to the middle – Ironman 70.3 training plan
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Welsh race organisers Always Aim High have got a new iron-distance event up their sleeves – The Legend, taking place in Snowdonia in July 2016.
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Billed as “arguably the UK’s toughest and most stunning single-lap iron-distance race”, it will be fully supported and feature a family-orientated festival of triathlon.
The race will start on 12 July with a 3.8km swim in Lake Padarn – home to the Slateman Triathlon – before sending athletes on a 180km bike through “mind-blowing scenery, flawless tarmac and of course a number of iconic climbs”.
Finally, the run stage comprises of a full-length mixed terrain marathon set in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. The route takes in key climbs such as Bwlch maesgwm, Pen-y-Pass and the infamous Dinorwig Quarries.
Pre-registration is open already here. Routes and all other information can be found here.
(Images: SportpicturesCymru)
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Will you be racing The Legend? Let us know in the comments below!
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Welsh race organisers Always Aim High have got a new iron-distance event up their sleeves – The Legend, taking place in Snowdonia in July 2016.
Advertisement
Billed as “arguably the UK’s toughest and most stunning single-lap iron-distance race”, it will be fully supported and feature a family-orientated festival of triathlon.
The race will start on 12 July with a 3.8km swim in Lake Padarn – home to the Slateman Triathlon – before sending athletes on a 180km bike through “mind-blowing scenery, flawless tarmac and of course a number of iconic climbs”.
Finally, the run stage comprises of a full-length mixed terrain marathon set in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. The route takes in key climbs such as Bwlch maesgwm, Pen-y-Pass and the infamous Dinorwig Quarries.
Pre-registration is open already here. Routes and all other information can be found here.
(Images: SportpicturesCymru)
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Will you be racing The Legend? Let us know in the comments below!
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The fourth Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon was held in County Galway, Ireland on Sunday (24 May), with nearly 1,200 competitors taking part in eight races, including the brand new Starter Sprint. Once again the Olympic distance was a Triathlon Ireland National Series race.
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>>> Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon 2014 race report
The longest race was The Gauntlet, a tough half iron distance with 200 hardy souls competing for the title. First male home was Kevin Thornton from Galway Tri Club, leading from the swim exit and smashing the course record with 4:15:08. A tight race for second was won by Mariusz Olejniczak of Naas Triathlon Club pipping UK elite Matt Leeman by just 30 seconds. Siobhan Gallagher (Donegal) led the women’s race home in a time of 5:11:39 followed.
“I really enjoyed the course”, said Kevin Thornton after the race, “The lake was fresh but I was happy with my swim. I really loved the bike course through the Burren, it’s a very honest course and I absolutely loved the two hills. The trail part of the run was especially great, I’d done the Olympic here a few years back and think it’s a great venue for triathlon”.
Aichlinn O’Reilly, winner of the Olympic distance race
First over the line in the Olympic distance was young Aichlinn O’Reilly of Westport Triathlon Club in his very first standard event, his time was 2:05:15. He was third out of the lake but moved into first place about 12km into the cycle and held pole position all the way to the finish.
Second home was Max Hazell (Wiltshire) with last year’s runner up Aaron O’Brien (Limerick Tri Club) in third and Brennan Townshend of Loughborough in fourth place. Kitty Perle (3D Tri Club) was a clear winner in the women’s event in 2:32:37 followed by Olivia Ross-Hurst (Ful-On Tri) in 2:36:21 and Joanne Flanagan (Ennis Tri Club) in 2:37:08.
An elated Achlinn O’Reilly spoke in glowing terms after the race, “I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure what to expect in my first ever senior race, I’d hoped to finish in the top three but winning was absolutely amazing, particularly against some overseas competition”.
Trevor Woods from Cork Tri Club won the Sprint Plus race (800m/44km/8km) in 01:53:46. The women’s race winner was Rachel Clancy of Limerick Triathlon in 02:10:50. The Super Sprint was won by Kieran Jackson – (1:01:38), with Claire Scott (Peninsula) winning the women’s race in 01:18:36.
The Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon is the first of the five Castle Triathlon Series weekend events to take place over the course of this year in Ireland, England and France this year. For more info head to www.loughcutratri.ie.
The Gauntlet (1.9km/90km/21km)
Male
1: Kevin Thornton – Galway Tri Club (4:15:08)
2: Mariusz Olejnicza – Naas Tri Club (4:25:29)
3: Matt Leeman – Hockley (4:25:59)
Female
1: Siobhán Gallagher – Donegal (5:11:39)
2: Adele Neill – Hi Elbow (5:27:35)
3: Maire Fox – 3D Tri (5:38:01)
The Lough Cutra (1500m/44km/10km)
Male
1: Aichlinn O’Reilly – Westport Tri Club (2:05:15)
2: Max Hazell – Wiltshire (2:07.18)
3: Aaron O’Brien – Limerick Tri Club (2:09:09)
Female
1: Kitty Perle 3D (2:32:37)
2: Olivia Ross Hurst – Ful-On Tri (2:36.21)
3: Joanne Flanagan – Ennis Tri Club (2:37.08)
The Prendergast – (800m/44km/8km)
Male
1: Trevor Woods – Cork Tri Club (1:53:46)
2: Mark Nolan – Cork (1:55:54)
3: Martin Divilly – Team Collinamux (2:01:56)
Female
1: Rachel Clancy – Limerick Triathlon (2:10:50)
2: Katherine Sherry – Dublin (2:33:13)
3: Caroline McMenamin – North West Tri Club (2:35:48)
The Viscount Gough (400m/22km/4km)
Male
1: Kieran Jackson – (1:01:38)
2 Darren Dunne – Nenagh Triathlon (1:03:36)
3: Ronan Dirrane – Predator (1:09:18)
Female
1: Claire Scott – Peninsula (01:18:36)
2: Miriam Wall – Galway (1:20:12)
3: Jessica Dunne – Galway Triathlon (1:21:10)
The Castle (200m/13km/2km)
Male
1: Bill Thuillier – Kinsale Tri Club (00:52:04)
2 Cyril Sullivan (00:52:24)
3: David Stewart (00:53:25)
Female
1: Lucy Cottee (00:49:23)
2: Ciara O’Boyle – Predator (00:52:17)
3: Brenda Breathnach – Ennis Tri Club (00:53:20)
For more information, and online application, visit www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk.
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Did you race at Lough Cutra last weekend? Let us know in the comments below
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The fourth Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon was held in County Galway, Ireland on Sunday (24 May), with nearly 1,200 competitors taking part in eight races, including the brand new Starter Sprint. Once again the Olympic distance was a Triathlon Ireland National Series race.
Advertisement
>>> Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon 2014 race report
The longest race was The Gauntlet, a tough half iron distance with 200 hardy souls competing for the title. First male home was Kevin Thornton from Galway Tri Club, leading from the swim exit and smashing the course record with 4:15:08. A tight race for second was won by Mariusz Olejniczak of Naas Triathlon Club pipping UK elite Matt Leeman by just 30 seconds. Siobhan Gallagher (Donegal) led the women’s race home in a time of 5:11:39 followed.
“I really enjoyed the course”, said Kevin Thornton after the race, “The lake was fresh but I was happy with my swim. I really loved the bike course through the Burren, it’s a very honest course and I absolutely loved the two hills. The trail part of the run was especially great, I’d done the Olympic here a few years back and think it’s a great venue for triathlon”.
Aichlinn O’Reilly, winner of the Olympic distance race
First over the line in the Olympic distance was young Aichlinn O’Reilly of Westport Triathlon Club in his very first standard event, his time was 2:05:15. He was third out of the lake but moved into first place about 12km into the cycle and held pole position all the way to the finish.
Second home was Max Hazell (Wiltshire) with last year’s runner up Aaron O’Brien (Limerick Tri Club) in third and Brennan Townshend of Loughborough in fourth place. Kitty Perle (3D Tri Club) was a clear winner in the women’s event in 2:32:37 followed by Olivia Ross-Hurst (Ful-On Tri) in 2:36:21 and Joanne Flanagan (Ennis Tri Club) in 2:37:08.
An elated Achlinn O’Reilly spoke in glowing terms after the race, “I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure what to expect in my first ever senior race, I’d hoped to finish in the top three but winning was absolutely amazing, particularly against some overseas competition”.
Trevor Woods from Cork Tri Club won the Sprint Plus race (800m/44km/8km) in 01:53:46. The women’s race winner was Rachel Clancy of Limerick Triathlon in 02:10:50. The Super Sprint was won by Kieran Jackson – (1:01:38), with Claire Scott (Peninsula) winning the women’s race in 01:18:36.
The Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon is the first of the five Castle Triathlon Series weekend events to take place over the course of this year in Ireland, England and France this year. For more info head to www.loughcutratri.ie.
The Gauntlet (1.9km/90km/21km)
Male
1: Kevin Thornton – Galway Tri Club (4:15:08)
2: Mariusz Olejnicza – Naas Tri Club (4:25:29)
3: Matt Leeman – Hockley (4:25:59)
Female
1: Siobhán Gallagher – Donegal (5:11:39)
2: Adele Neill – Hi Elbow (5:27:35)
3: Maire Fox – 3D Tri (5:38:01)
The Lough Cutra (1500m/44km/10km)
Male
1: Aichlinn O’Reilly – Westport Tri Club (2:05:15)
2: Max Hazell – Wiltshire (2:07.18)
3: Aaron O’Brien – Limerick Tri Club (2:09:09)
Female
1: Kitty Perle 3D (2:32:37)
2: Olivia Ross Hurst – Ful-On Tri (2:36.21)
3: Joanne Flanagan – Ennis Tri Club (2:37.08)
The Prendergast – (800m/44km/8km)
Male
1: Trevor Woods – Cork Tri Club (1:53:46)
2: Mark Nolan – Cork (1:55:54)
3: Martin Divilly – Team Collinamux (2:01:56)
Female
1: Rachel Clancy – Limerick Triathlon (2:10:50)
2: Katherine Sherry – Dublin (2:33:13)
3: Caroline McMenamin – North West Tri Club (2:35:48)
The Viscount Gough (400m/22km/4km)
Male
1: Kieran Jackson – (1:01:38)
2 Darren Dunne – Nenagh Triathlon (1:03:36)
3: Ronan Dirrane – Predator (1:09:18)
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Female
1: Claire Scott – Peninsula (01:18:36)
2: Miriam Wall – Galway (1:20:12)
3: Jessica Dunne – Galway Triathlon (1:21:10)
The Castle (200m/13km/2km)
Male
1: Bill Thuillier – Kinsale Tri Club (00:52:04)
2 Cyril Sullivan (00:52:24)
3: David Stewart (00:53:25)
Female
1: Lucy Cottee (00:49:23)
2: Ciara O’Boyle – Predator (00:52:17)
3: Brenda Breathnach – Ennis Tri Club (00:53:20)
For more information, and online application, visit www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk.
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Did you race at Lough Cutra last weekend? Let us know in the comments below
The latest issue of 220 Triathlon magazine went on sale today, featuring F1 star Jenson Button talking exclusively to the UK’s favourite triathlon magazine about his love of all things swim, bike and run.
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Other highlights in this month’s issue include:
Get ready for your first Ironman in eight weeks: key steps to your first iron start line, plus a 1hr open-water, confidence-boosting session
Turn training into race-day success with nine tips for intermediate athletes
Imagine yourself to a better race, plus a 60min bike-boosting visualisation session to try
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Train with Chrissie: bike-handling skills with pro MTBer Oli Beckingsale
Teuton power: why are Germans so strong in tri?
Regional express: in-depth analysis of the UK’s best regions for triathlon adventures
Gear focus: triathlon bikes
Open-water goggles mini grouptest
Lightweight run shoes grouptest: ten pairs of featherlight footwear rated
Find 220 Triathlon on sale at newsagents across the UK, and the digital edition can be picked up via the iTunes store, Google Play and Zinio.
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Bonus digital content includes: exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from our Jenson Button cover shoot; watch Normann Stadler’s famous ‘meltdown’ at Kona 2005; Joe Beer presents three videos on how to make the most of your A-races this season.
The latest issue of 220 Triathlon magazine went on sale today, featuring F1 star Jenson Button talking exclusively to the UK’s favourite triathlon magazine about his love of all things swim, bike and run.
Advertisement
Other highlights in this month’s issue include:
Get ready for your first Ironman in eight weeks: key steps to your first iron start line, plus a 1hr open-water, confidence-boosting session
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Turn training into race-day success with nine tips for intermediate athletes
Imagine yourself to a better race, plus a 60min bike-boosting visualisation session to try
Train with Chrissie: bike-handling skills with pro MTBer Oli Beckingsale
Teuton power: why are Germans so strong in tri?
Regional express: in-depth analysis of the UK’s best regions for triathlon adventures
Gear focus: triathlon bikes
Open-water goggles mini grouptest
Lightweight run shoes grouptest: ten pairs of featherlight footwear rated
Find 220 Triathlon on sale at newsagents across the UK, and the digital edition can be picked up via the iTunes store, Google Play and Zinio.
Advertisement
Bonus digital content includes: exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from our Jenson Button cover shoot; watch Normann Stadler’s famous ‘meltdown’ at Kona 2005; Joe Beer presents three videos on how to make the most of your A-races this season.
Bright and pleasant conditions at this year’s Eton Sprints welcomed just under 1,000 triathletes at Dorney Lake last Saturday (23 May), with qualifying spots for the ITU World Champs in Chicago this September up for grabs.
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ITU qualifier age-group waves started heading off from 9am, and it didn’t take long for all areas of the flat and fast course to be populated by focused athletes. The first person back was Hannah Lord who also clocked up the fastest female time of the day. Hannah’s dolphin-like swimming abilities saw her take an early lead which she maintained and even strengthened finishing in 1:05:56, four minutes ahead of closest rival Zoe Cresswell.
Competing in the ‘junior’ category, Ryan Griffiths blew competition from all age groups apart as he completed the sprint course in a stunning 1:00:28. Ryan was consistently fast in all disciplines, but especially notable was his swim time of just 9:14. Danny Russell (Tri Training Harder) was his closest opposition, with Edward Castro (Bedfordshire Road Cycle Club) just pipping Harry Palmer into third best male time of the qualifiers.
Once the qualifiers were over, the Eton Sprint age group waves got underway, and another famous face was to be seen competing. Phillip Graves, the youngest triathlete to win an Ironman competition, is an inspiration to many.
Athletes of all abilities got the special opportunity to compete with him today, but unsurprisingly he took an assured victory, and was the only person on the day to complete the course in under an hour, finishing in 58:57. Scott Wiseman (Ashford Tri Club) and Oliver Bradford (Ful-On Tri) were Phillip’s closest competition but were several minutes behind despite clocking up fantastic times.
Possibly the most entertaining finish of the day was in the ladies (non-qualifier) wave as Sarah Lewis and Anna Sykes-Brown battled it out to the finish. In the end it was Sarah (1:06:29) who grabbed the win by a tiny margin, finishing just nine seconds ahead of Anna. Louise Croxson was third fastest female during the Eton Sprints waves.
For full results head here.
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Did you race the Eton Sprints? Let us know in the comments below!
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