European Triathlon Championships

Helen and Andrew represent GB in the Netherlands

Above: Helen celebrates after representing GB in the European championships.

Two Bromsgrove based triathletes are celebrating after successfully racing at the European Triathlon Championships in the Netherlands. Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club members, Helen Russell and Andrew Cunnell, represented Great Britain at the championships in Holten on 4th July.

The race saw athletes from across Europe take part in the Olympic distance triathlon which covered a 1500 open water swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run. There were 800 triathletes competing at the Championship in different age categories.

Above: The competitors wait for the start of the swim.

Above: Helen cycling through Holten.

With temperatures on land reaching over 30 degrees Celsius the water temperature was so hot that the athletes were not permitted to wear wetsuits in the lake swim, which was a new experience for both Helen and Andy. This change of plan did not deter Helen who completed the swim section in 27.27. The cycle course was more undulating than expected of a route in Holland and included a 10% gradient climb known by locals as ‘Deep Hell’. Despite this Helen had a solid bike leg covering the 40km in 1.14.04. She then had a decent 10km run around Holten town centre overtaking a large number of athletes who were suffering in the heat to finish in 43.00. This meant that her final time was a respectable 2.27.28 which saw her finish in a creditable 10th position in the 30-35 age category. This was a good result in only her first international competition.

Andy struggled on the swim without the added buoyancy offered by a wetsuit but fought back on the bike leg with a decent time of 1.14.41. He then consolidated his position on the run with a time of 49.52. His overall time was 2.47.51 which saw him finish in 13th place in the 60-64 age category.

Above: Helen on the last leg, the 10 km run.

Following this result Helen has already secured her place at next year’s competition after being selected to represent Great Britain at the prestigious Bedford Triathlon on 19th July.

The race was an Olympic distance triathlon covering a 1500 meters swim in the river Ouse, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run.

Despite having never swum in a river before Helen battled against the weeds and other competitors to exit the water in 25.44. She then tried to maintain an average speed of 20mph on the mainly flat cycle leg covering the course in 1.14.29. The run was a flat three lap course along the river Ouse on the edge of the town and Helen recorded a time of 41.40. She finished in an overall time of 2.24.18 that saw her take the fourth qualifying place in the 35-39 age category.