2025 Race Report
Grit, Glory, and Triumph: 2025 Snowman Triathlon & Duathlon Delivers a Brutal and Brilliant 14th Edition.
The 14th edition of the Snowman Triathlon & Duathlon began under damp and drizzly skies, with the promise of clearer weather later in the day. The Legend athletes were first to take to the start line at 7:00 AM, followed by the Standard distance competitors at 8:00 AM, and finally the Sprint Triathletes and Duathletes at 9:00 AM. True to forecast, the skies began to clear around 10:30 AM, offering more comfortable conditions for the athletes. It was a fantastic day of racing at what is widely regarded as the UK’s toughest triathlon and duathlon event—made even more demanding by the early weather. Despite the challenges, there were some truly outstanding performances across all categories, as highlighted in the results below.
LEGEND TRIATHLON
Rising to the occasion with a commanding performance was Callum Townsend of Peak Performance Endurance, who captured the overall win with a time of 5:29:57—the only athlete to break the 5:30 barrier. Townsend established himself as a contender early with a 32:21 swim and stayed sharp in transition. His bike leg of 2:52:36 kept him among the leaders, but it was his standout 2:02:08 trail run—remarkably strong on such brutal terrain—that sealed the win. His pace, composure, and stamina were unmatched on the day.
Finishing in second was Richard Higgins of TriathlonworkX in 5:47:53. He was in contention from the start, posting a 33:13 swim and the fastest bike split of the day at 2:51:05. Despite the aggressive early pace, his 2:20:17 run couldn’t quite close the gap to Townsend, though it firmly cemented him on the podium.
In third place, Patrick McDowell (Les Croupiers RC/Cardiff Ajax CC) matched Townsend’s swim time to the second with a 32:21 and delivered a well-rounded race with a 3:03:16 bike and a 2:17:43 run, for a total time of 5:56:39.
The women’s race was led impressively by Helene Repesse, who posted a winning time of 7:00:53. Her balanced performance—highlighted by a 3:39:24 bike and a 2:34:54 run—was enough to put her well ahead of the chasing field and inside the top 15 overall.
Second place went to Ali Champion of Plymouth Tri Club in 7:27:49, whose consistency across the course, especially on the bike, kept her clear of the rest of the field.
But perhaps the most heartwarming finish of the day belonged to Sophie Needham of Portsmouth Triathletes. Racing on her 40th birthday, Sophie delivered a gritty and determined performance to claim third place in 7:40:47. Her strong swim (38:44) and steady pacing throughout the race were matched only by the smile she carried across the finish line—an unforgettable way to mark a milestone birthday.
Adding a special dimension to the event, the Higgins family turned the day into a true triathlon celebration. While Richard secured a superb second place in the Legend, his father, Chris Higgins, took the win in the 70+ category of the Standard Triathlon, showcasing class and resilience across the longer course. Not to be outdone, Chris’s wife, Fenella Higgins, who claimed victory in her age category in the Sprint Triathlon. Three races, three age groups, three podiums—it was truly a family affair for the Higgins trio.
STANDARD TRIATHLON
In the men’s race, Carl Shaw of Speedhub Triathlon Club emerged as the standout performer, seizing control of the race early and never letting up. He clocked an impressive swim of 21:23 and built on that momentum with a powerful bike leg in 2:03:29—the fastest of the day. He held firm on the challenging run course with a 1:10:26 split to secure victory in a commanding time of 3:38:07, the only sub-3:40 finish in the field.
Stefan Radic Webster secured second place in 3:47:38. After exiting the water in 24:08, he showed grit and consistency on the bike and run, clocking a 2:05:44 bike and a 1:14:57 run. Though unable to close the gap to Shaw, Webster maintained a strong rhythm throughout and held off the rest of the field.
Last year’s runner-up in the Standard distance, Adam Brown, returned to take on the challenge once more—this time finishing third overall with a time of 3:52:17, shaving a minute off his previous performance. Despite a slower swim (30:00), Brown bounced back with a strong bike leg (2:11:21) and clocked the fastest run split among the top three men (1:08:10), showcasing his trademark strength and tenacity.
In the women’s race, Victoria Smith made a triumphant return to Snowman, following up her victory in the 2024 Sprint Triathlon with another win—this time in the standard distance. Smith delivered a well-paced and measured race, exiting the water in 28:49, biking solidly in 2:36:44, and finishing with a 1:19:12 run to claim first place in 4:27:58. Her performance was not only a win in the women’s field but also placed her firmly among the top ten overall finishers.
Behind her, Claire Shea-Simonds secured second place in 4:52:24. She started strong with a 26:53 swim and paced herself well through the tough bike and run sections, completing the final leg in 1:30:27. Her steady, resilient effort paid off as she pulled away from the rest of the field.
Ffion Evans rounded out the women’s podium with a final time of 4:59:40. As a rising athlete in the F20+ category, Evans remained consistent throughout, finishing with a balanced performance across all three legs.
SPRINT TRIATHLON
In the men’s race, Andy Waterhouse claimed a commanding victory with a finishing time of 1:56:32. He set the tone early with a swift 13:55 swim, the second-fastest time of the day, and followed it with an impressive 52:10 on the bike, establishing a lead he would not relinquish. Despite a solid run from his closest competitor, Waterhouse’s consistency across all three disciplines ensured he crossed the line with a clear margin.
John Connolly finished second overall in 1:58:41. Though slightly behind in the swim, Connolly delivered a strong bike leg at 54:31 and stormed through the run with a blistering 47:21—the fastest men’s run split of the day. His effort narrowed the gap, but Waterhouse’s early advantage held firm.
Liam Sullivan rounded out the men's podium in 2:03:21. He recorded the fastest swim time in the entire field at 13:49, displaying superb water speed. Although he lost some ground on the bike and run, his early lead helped secure third place against a deep field of competitors.
On the women’s side, it was local athlete Catrin Donnelly who stole the show with a superb all-around performance. She finished in 1:59:05, becoming the only woman to go under the two-hour mark. Donnelly swam strongly in 14:32, held her own on the bike with a time of 57:47, and then sealed her victory with a sensational run of 44:52—the fastest women’s split and one of the quickest overall.
After finishing third last year, Amy Edwards returned to the Snowman Sprint Triathlon with determination—and moved up a step on the podium, claiming second place in 2:11:02. She delivered strong performances in both the swim and bike, with her 56:27 bike split standing out as one of the best in the field. While her run wasn’t quite enough to match Catrin Donnelly’s pace, her consistency across all three disciplines secured her a well-earned runner-up finish.
Third place went to Pascale Wehr, who impressed with a strong showing across all three legs. She exited the water fastest among the women in 13:43, the quickest female swim of the day. She followed that with a 55:07 bike and a 1:03:17 run, finishing in 2:15:57.
SPRINT DUATHLON
In the open race, it was regular Always Aim High Events competitor Mark Daniels who delivered a commanding performance to win the Sprint Duathlon. He finished in 1:53:46—the only athlete to break the 2-hour mark—and crossed the line more than eight minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Joe Symonds claimed second place with a time of 2:01:52, while Andy Jones rounded out the podium in 2:07:38. The top three finishers represented a wide range of age groups, underscoring the race's competitive depth and broad appeal
In the female race it was Lauren Turley who led the women’s field with a strong finish of 2:10:36. Claire Donnelly followed in 2:13:02, and Claire Fennell secured third in 2:22:06. The women's race saw tight competition among the top three, showcasing impressive endurance and pace.
Claire Stones, Head of Operations at Always Aim High Events, shared her reflections on the weekend:
“The Craft Snowman is a truly special event, not just because of the racing, but because of where it takes place. The natural beauty of this area never fails to take your breath away — from the dramatic peaks to the serene trails, it’s a privilege to host an event in such an inspiring location.
We’re incredibly grateful to Plas y Brenin for welcoming us year after year and for providing a venue that plays such a vital role in making this event possible. Their support, alongside that of the local community, helps us deliver an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike.”
Selected 2025 Craft Snowman Triathlon & Duathlon Results
Sprint Triathlon Female
🥇 Catrin Donnelly 1:59:05
🥈 Amy Edwards 2:02:09
🥉 Pascale Wehr 2:15:57
Sprint Triathlon Open
🥇 Andy Waterhouse 1:56:32
🥈 John Connolly 1:58:41
🥉 Liam Sullivan 2:03:21
Standard Triathlon Open
🥇 Carl Shaw 3:38:07
🥈 Stefan Radic webster 3:47:48
🥉 Adam Brown 3:52:17
Standard Triathlon Female
🥇 Victoria Smith 4:27:58
🥈 Claire Shea-simonds 4:52:54
🥉 Ffion Evans 4:59:40
Sprint Duathlon Open
🥇 Mark Daniels 1:53:46
🥈 Joe Symonds 2:02:09
🥉 Andy Jones 2:07:38
Sprint Duathlon Female
🥇 Lauren Turley 2:10:36
🥈 Claire Donnelly 2:13:02
🥉 Claire Fennell 2:22:06
Legend Triathlon Open
🥇 Callum Townsend 5:29:57
🥈 Richard Higgins 5:47:53
🥉 Patrick Mcdowell 5:56:39
Legend Triathlon Female
🥇 Helene Repesse 7:00:05
🥈 Ali Champion 7:27:49
🥉 Sophie Needham 7:40:47