2022 Race Report

After a 5-year break, Triathlon returned to Llandudno under new hosts Always Aim High Events and what a welcome it received.

Family and friends of athletes alongside local residents and holiday makers provided one of the biggest spectator crowds of the season as beautiful Llandudno Promenade buzzed with anticipation and excitement.

The spectators on the beach counted down to the start and rang their bells to set off 350 athletes in 5 waves on their swim leg. Standard Distance Competitors went first completing 2 laps of the anti-clockwise course that ran parallel to the beach. Swimming conditions were good and an inquisitive seal the only ocean dweller to make an appearance with no reported jelly fish sightings!

First out for the men in the Standard distance was Jack Rigal, followed by Joe Banns and Joel Wooldridge all the way from Sydney. All three put in a solid bike completing 4 laps of the Orme with it’s tough climb and technical descent holding their positions.

In to the run and Wooldridge stormed to the front and across the line, completing the 10k in just 33:57 to take the win with Rigal in second and Banns third. With all three in the U23 category, it’s an exciting future for the sport and we’re sure we will see these young men on the big stage in the future along with Jacks brother George who came in 4^th.

In the ladies it was Ashia Reeder leading out of the water storming ahead over 3 minutes ahead of the next lady Beth Hughes.

Out on to the bike and Hughes put in a fantastic bike to take the lead, with Dotty Bouck-Standen pushing up the places in to third. Bouck-Standen continued to make up the ground but couldn’t quite get ahead after the gap Reeder had created in the swim and Hughes took the win followed by Reeder and Bouck-Standen in third.

In the Sprint race, Deri Mccluskey continued his terrific form leading throughout with the fastest swim and run of the day. This young man is quickly becoming the one to beat and we’re excited to see his progression next season. Ifan Bowen came out the water in third but quickly moved up to second with an excellent bike and held his position to cross the line behind McCluskey and take his place on the podium. Dafyd Jay put in a strong performance with superb run to complete the line up.

In the ladies race, it was a fight for first and second between local triathlon coach Rhian Roxburgh on her home turf and Welsh Super Series leader Carys Mai Hughes. Hughes fought hard but just couldn’t close the gap that Roxburgh created between them in the swim. Maddison Shaddick took third, making her way up from 11^th with the fastest ladies bike of the day and a strong run.

The Sprint Triathlon which was also the finale of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series and was being filmed for S4C. Both members of Welsh Triathlon, McCluskey and Roxburgh took the stage wins. Carys Mai Hughes and Guto Morgan were the overall 2022 Welsh Super Series winners with Gog Triathlon taking the club win.

Always Aim High Events Director Tim Lloyd said: ‘It’s been an amazing event here in Llandudno. As a North Wales based company it was an easy decision to take over this event from our friends at Xtra Mile back in 2017 and we’re thrilled to finally see it happening.

It’s a fast course with some challenging sections and with all the spectators adding to the atmosphere and motivating our athletes we’ve seen some incredible racing, and some young talent who I am sure are set to become household names in the world of triathlon.

It’s also been a showcase for the inclusivity of triathlon with a complete range of ages and experience. Our team have talked to hundreds of people here today in Llandudno and I hope we’ve inspired a few to give it a go.

I would like to thank Conwy Council and the local businesses and residents who have supported this event. Once again a huge thank you to our amazing marshals and volunteers, we couldn’t put on such fantastic races without them.

This is the last event of the season for Always Aim High Events and what a way to finish. We can’t wait to put on more brilliant events that support and showcase the local area in 2023’

Full Llandudno race results by TDL Event Services.
Race photography courtesy of Sport Pictures Cymru.

Selected 2022 Llandudno Triathlon results:

Sprint Triathlon Women

1. Rhian Roxburgh - 01:12:11
2. Carys Mai Hughes - 01:12:48
3. Madison Shaddick - 01:13:25

Sprint Triathlon Men

1. Deri McCluskey - 01:00:31
2. Ifan Bowen - 01:03:04
3. Dafyd Jay - 01:04:46

Standard Triathlon Women:

1. Beth Hughes - 02:28:56
2. Ashia Reeder - 02:32:33
3. Dotty Bouck-Standen - 02:33:59

Standard Triathlon Men:

1. Joel Wooldridge - 02:04:51
2. Jack Regal - 02:08:47
3. Joe Banns - 02:09:44