2023 Race Report
A record-breaking day of storming the castle for the Harlech Triathlon and Duathlon.
The Always Aim High Triathlon Season started on a high as a cold start slowly switched to windy but sunny conditions for athletes finishing the race in the impressive Grade I listed Harlech Castle, having conquered the almost 127 steps to reach the finish line.
We were delighted to welcome competitors back to Harlech for the first triathlon & duathlon of the Always Aim High Events season. An Always Aim High Community event, with all proceeds going back into local initiatives, it is a delight to see the event hosts and the people of Harlech coming together to welcome athletes and show off this stunning location.
The Duathletes started together, with the first run taking them to the furthest point along the beach before returning into transition. The bike route was a stunning 21km route along spectacular roads leading out along the coastline and up to the castle, then sweeping back to transition on the return leg. The duathlon culminates in a final 2.5km run, finishing up the 127 steps to storm the castle. As the triathlon continued, the duathlon results were the first in.
In the Women's race Lucy Marland used her strength on the run and impressive transition times to take the win in 1:09:06, in front of Rachel Davies in 2nd with a time of 1:09:45. Beth Jones took 3rd in 1:15:14.
In the Men’s race Joseph Beech lead the race throughout, storming around under in under an hour, finishing in 0:59:27, followed in second place by James Smith in 1:01:41. Richard Williams was not far behind in 3rd at 1:03.00.
The Duathlon was also the Welsh National Championships in 2023.
The triathlon is a staggered-start in Harlech Swimming pool, before athletes transition to their bikes for the same bike course as the duathletes, and a final run onto the beach, before returning along the road to the final ascent to the castle finish-line.
Deri Mccluskey was focused on taking the win, but also hunting Chris Standidge's course record. With a superb time of 1:00:03, Deri won the race and equalled Chris' time from last year, missing out on the 2016 record by two seconds. With the sub-hour remaining elusive, we hope both Deri & Chris will return next year to battle it out. Adam Harper, improving on his 2022 time, came in 2nd with a time of 1:05:11 and David Graham came in just 30 seconds later to claim 3rd in 1:05:41.
It was an exciting finish in the Women’s Triathlon. Despite the staggered start in the swimming pool, the first female over the line was given the tape. Rhian Roxburgh completed the course in a new record time of 1:08:40, a time which held to prove her the winner! Charlotte Hunter claimed second place just over two and a half minutes later, with an excellent time of 1:11:15. Eleanor Perkins claimed third place in 1:16:57.
Always Aim High Events Director Tim Lloyd said ‘It’s always good to be back in Harlech for our first triathlon of the year, beginning a season of fantastic events. The venue is absolutely unique and a favourite on so many calendars.
We’ve seen some fantastic racing, including smashing course records through 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 of 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 fantastic 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.
Selected 2023 Harlech Triathlon and Duathlon Results
Duathlon
Sprint Duathlon Women:
🥇 Lucy Marland - 1:09:06
🥈 Rachel Davies - 1:09:45
🥉 Beth Jones - 1:15:14
Sprint Duathlon Men:
🥇 Joseph Beech - 0:59:27
🥈 James Smith - 1:01:41
🥉 Richard Williams - 1:03:00
Triathlon
Sprint Triathlon Women:
🥇 Rhian Roxburgh - 1:08:40
🥈 Charlotte Hunter - 1:11:15
🥉 Eleanor Perkins - 1:16:57
Sprint Triathlon Men:
🥇 Deri Mccluskey - 1:00:03
🥈 Adam Harper - 1:05:11
🥉 David Graham - 1:05:41
For the full results, see the Race Result Page