Local triathletes picked to represent Great Britain

Two Bromsgrove based triathletes are celebrating after being selected to represent Great Britain at the European Triathlon Championships in Holland. Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club members, Helen Russell and Andrew Cunnell, were selected after racing in the Ampleforth Triathlon in North Yorkshire last weekend (4th April).

The race was an Olympic distance triathlon covering a 750 meters indoor pool swim, a 39km bike ride and a 10km off road run. The cycle route was an extremely hilly course which took in the notorious 3mile long Yearsley Bank hill.

The triathlon took place at Ampleforth College on the borders of the North Yorkshire Moors. The start, finish and swim all took place within the private enclosed grounds of the school.

Russell had a solid swim and being of slight build found the hilly bike course to her advantage covering the 39km in 1.15.43. She then consolidated her position on the technical multi terrain run course with a respectable run time of 43.30. She finished the race in an overall time of 2.14.53 which saw her finish 4th in the 30-35 year old category earning her automatic selection to European Triathlon Championships.

Despite suffering from a cold in the week before the event Cunnell also had a good event where his best discipline was the bike leg, which he completed in 1.15.08. His total finish time was 2.24.32 which saw him finish 2nd in the 60-64 age category earning him automatic selection to the Great Britain team.

Both athletes will now travel to Holten in Holland to compete in the European Triathlon Championships on 5th July.

Click for further information on the Ampleforth Triathlon

Click for further information on the ITU European Triathlon Championship