Hot, sunny conditions made the going tough for the 300 athletes as they swam, cycled and ran their way around the 25km course during the 20th annual Burnham-On-Sea triathlon on Sunday (June 11th).
But the weather failed to deter the oldest entrant, 85-year-old Arthur Gilbert, pictured right, who attracted loud cheers from the crowds of spectators as he completed the event for the 18th year.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It was the toughest race yet for me. I found the run difficult, but I’m delighted to have finished again.” Having raised £2,700 for the Musgrove Leukaemic Group last year, he hopes to raise £3,000 this year from sponsorship.
Sunday’s event was won by Bath athlete Kit Stokes in a fast time of 59 minutes, 55 seconds. He said the conditions had been ideal and that he was “delighted” to win.
Over 300 participants completed the 500m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run – and despite the hot weather, marshalls said the event had run without any incidents.
Participants began their swim in Burnham Pool, then cycled out along Love Lane towards Tesco and then to the Edithmead roundabout, heading north past Brent Knoll and along the A370 towards Lympsham and Berrow, then returned back to the pool along Berrow Road.
The run section headed out from the Pool onto the beach, then onto the golf course and returned back along the beach to the finish.
A prize ceremony held later in the day saw the winners receiving their prize from the Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, Councillor John Denbee, and event organiser Martin Rogers, the manager of Burnham Swimming Pool.
The event is organised by Sedgemoor District Council’s Leisure and Lifestyles Service, with the support of 60 volunteers from the local community.
Mr Rogers thanked Burnham Lions Club, the Ambulance service and the event’s sponsors, Jester Print, for their support.
He described the event as “another great success,” adding: “We’ve had great weather and a good number of entrants. Overall, a superb day.”
RESULTS:
Female
1st Kira Thorpe 1:10:00 Weston AC
2nd Nikki Smith 1:12:33 Yate Tristars
3rd Linda O’Connor 1:13:15 West Country Tri
Local Female
1st Linda O’Connor 1:13:15 West Country Tri
2nd Kelly Lovell 1:22:46 Burnham-On-Sea
3rd Vicky Boyer 1:29:00 Burnham-On-Sea
Female Local Vet
1st Jean Bailey 1:19:26 Burnham-On-Sea
Male
1st Kit Stokes 59:55 Bath Amp
2nd Keith Rayson 1:00:18 Cornwall
3rd Iain Hindes 1:01:16 North Devon Tri
Local Male
1st Jason Emmett 1:01:45 West Country Tri
2nd Pete Walsh 1:10:38 Burnham-On-Sea
3rd Jeff Bailey 1:17:59 Burnham-On-Sea
RELATED LINKS:
2006 Triathlon Results
2005 Triathlon Results
2004 Triathlon Results
2003 Triathlon Results
Photo round-up of the 2004 Burnham-On-Sea Triathlon
Stert Island Swim
Burnham Half Marathon
