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2022 Race Report

A 'Monumental' return to the castle for Harlech Triathlon and Duathlon.

The Always Aim High Triathlon Season started on a high as the sunshine climbed even higher than the impressive Grade I Harlech Castle, crowning the rugged peaks of Snowdonia and providing an inspiring backdrop to a fantastic day of racing.

After a three-year break, competitors were delighted to be back in Harlech and spoke with their feet as entries sold out early in the New Year. An Always Aim High Community event with all proceeds going back in to local initiatives, it is a delight to see the event hosts and the people of Harlech coming together to welcome athletes and show off the stunning location. Despite the deserved surge in popularity for this event it hasn’t lost its welcoming and intimate feel.

The Duathletes started together, with the first run taking them to the furthest point along the beach before returning in to transition. The bike route was the same stunning 21km route as the triathlon before culminating in a final 2.5km run up the 127 steps to storm the castle. As the triathlon continued, the duathlon results were the first in.

In the Womens race Frances Owen took the win in 1:11:10 in front of Emma Palfrey in 2nd with a time of 1:13:48. Beth Jones took 3^rd in 1:15:11.

In the Men’s the young talent that is Ben Goodfellow smashed the course record and stormed round under an hour in an unbelievable 58:41 over 5 minutes ahead of Sion Williams in 1:04:26. Rhys Harriers was not far behind in 3^rd at 1:05:03.

The Duathlon was also the Welsh National Championships with Welsh athletes Frances and Ben also being crowned Welsh National Duathlon Champions 2022.

In the triathlon, course record holder Chris Standidge was back taking the win with a superb time of 1:00:03. With the sub hour remaining elusive, Chris is sure to be back again next year defending his title. Deri McCluskey came in 2^nd with a time of 1:02:34 and Adam Harper came in just under 3 and a half minutes later to claim 3^rd in 1:06:06.

It was an exciting finish in the Women’s Triathlon. The honours went to Jude Wall in 1:18:30 with Eleanor Davies hot on our heels in 1:18:30. Kara Tranter was 3^rd in 1:20:32.

Special mentions must go to Gog Triathlon’s Gareth Bowyer who competed in the duathlon and the triathlon achieving a podium finish in his category in both events.

85 year old legend Peter Norman joined us again, in the Duathlon and completed the event in a very credible time, taking to the podium in the Welsh National Championships in his age group.

Always Aim High Events Director Tim Lloyd said ‘It’s so good to be back in Harlech for our first triathlon in what we hope will be a full season of fantastic events. The venue is absolutely unique and a favourite in so many calendars, with it being a sold out event this year – the people have really spoken.

We’ve had perfect conditions and seen some fantastic racing from emerging young talent smashing course records to people taking part in their first ever triathlon. This is a truly inclusive event where everyone is made welcome.

We’re incredibly proud to run Harlech Triathlon as a Community Event and be able to give something back to the local groups who support some brilliant initiatives. We would like to thank Harlech Triathlon Club and the Harlech community for helping and contributing to the running if the event as well as our race sponsors for their continued support. We’d also like to thank the local spectators that welcomed us back with open arms and supported the athletes around the course.

Lastly, we would like to thank our amazing marshals and volunteers, we couldn’t put on such fantastic races without them’.

Race photographs are available now via Sport Pictures Cymru

View full race results for the Harlech Triathlon.