2025 Race Report

Athletes from across the UK descended on Llyn Tegid for the Rawson Group Triathlon Y Bala 2025 supporting Tom Harrison House, tackling sprint, standard, and aquabike races in challenging, changeable conditions. From sunrise calm to wind and rain, the day crowned champions across all distances, showcasing grit, speed, and determination.

After a blustery night, race day at Llyn Tegid began with a stunning sunrise to welcome athletes for the opening event: the British Triathlon Super Series Grand Final. We were thrilled to host the British Triathlon Super Series Senior Grand Final, which brought nearly 80 athletes to Bala to take on this exciting event. This was the first time we’ve welcomed British Triathlon to Bala, and it was fantastic to host such a prestigious race here in Wales.

The race started at 9:00am over a 1200m swim, 32k closed-road draft-legal bike, and 8k run. The men’s winner crossed in 1:26:20, while the women’s champion stopped the clock at 1:37:44. You can find out more about the event – and catch up on the live-streamed footage – here

As the elite action concluded, the Sprint Triathlon began at 10:45, with 2 waves of athletes.

In the open race it was Ben Gethin of the Maldwyn Harriers (1:04:36) that dominated the sprint, setting the fastest run of the day in 17:06 after strong swim (13:11) and bike (31:39) legs. Grant Little of GOG Triathlon secured second in 1:07:38 with a consistent effort across all three disciplines, highlighted by a sharp 32:48 bike. Third went to John Connolly (1:08:41), steady throughout with a 33:35 bike and 18:59 run. Karl Bonner placed fourth in 1:12:55, making up ground with a rapid 31:38 bike. Tim Lake rounded out the top five in 1:14:06, his 18:46 run helping to hold position.

In the female race following on from her 2nd place last year at Bala, Molly Bryce of Total Tri Training was back again and this time claimed victory in 1:13:25. Her swift 13:56 swim and commanding 19:14 run setting her apart. Amy Edwards followed in 1:16:55, the fastest bike split of the women’s top five (36:33) keeping her in contention. Imogen Mcadie (1:20:23) impressed with balance across all legs. Fourth went to Medi Lewis (1:21:00), whose 13:13 swim was the quickest of the field. Elly Blackwell took fifth in 1:22:36, powered by a solid 38:23 bike.

Next up was the Standard Triathlon race, which saw over 300 athletes take to the water across four wave starts, including the Aquabike competitors. By this point in the day, the weather had begun to turn, with increasing winds and showers rolling in. As a result, the swim course was shortened from the planned 1500m to 1200m for athlete safety.

In the open race it was Benjamin Goodfellow who was racing on behalf of our headline sponsor Rawson Group that took the title in 1:48:58, built on an 18:45 swim, 51:59 bike, and 34:40 run. Jack Smith took runner-up in 1:53:17, opening with the day’s quickest swim (17:08) before a 56:38 bike and 36:52 run. Chris Standidge of Total Tri Training rounded out the podium in 1:54:08 after a 19:07 swim, rapid 53:43 bike, and 38:02 run.

In the women's race it was Kate Curran who was a standout winner in 1:53:56, delivering a 17:58 swim, 58:13 bike, and 34:53 run, taking 3rd place overall in the standard race. Tamika Baynes secured second in 2:11:25 with splits of 22:22 (swim), 1:08:00 (bike), and 38:37 (run). Krista Kuusijarvi who was visiting the UK rounded the top three in 2:19:17, clocking 26:35 in the swim, 1:07:20 on the bike, and 41:50 on the run.

The Aquabike event saw 64 athletes take part in what was the Welsh Triathlon National Championships.

In the open race it was Andrew Jones of GOG Triathlon that claimed a commanding win with a total time of 1:19:20, anchored by a fast 19:36 swim and a strong 58:29 bike. Matt Anthony finished second in 1:22:30, posting a 21:24 swim and 59:40 bike. Owain Lewis-Strange from Swaenea Vale earned the final podium spot in 1:23:27, clocking 22:02 swimming and 1:00:09 on the bike.

In the women race it was Paige Horsnell of Rhondda Tri who took the women’s title in 1:28:08, with a 21:20 swim and 1:05:29 bike. Mollie Dacey came in second at 1:29:28, notably recording the quickest swim of the women’s top three at 18:10, then a 1:09:53 bike. Pascale Wehr secured third place in 1:31:40, with splits of 21:03 swim and 1:08:56 bike.

Always Aim High Events Race Director Rhys Pilley shared his thoughts on the weekend's racing: “It was a pleasure to return to Bala for our second year delivering this iconic event and creating another memorable Triathlon Y Bala for the triathlon community. We were also honoured to host the British Triathlon Super Series Grand Final, and proud that Wales was able to showcase such a prestigious race.

We want to extend a huge thank you to all our athletes, whose talent and sportsmanship bring our events to life. We’re also deeply grateful to the Bala community, along with our event sponsors and partners, for their unwavering support.

Most importantly, we owe a special thanks to our world-class marshals and volunteers – without them, this race simply wouldn’t be possible.”

Selected 2025 Rawson Group Triathlon Y Bala Results

Sprint Triathlon Open 👏
🥇 Ben Gethin 1:04:36
🥈 Grant Little 1:07:38
🥉 John Connolly 1:08:41

Sprint Triathlon Female 👏
🥇 Molly Bryce 1:13:25
🥈 Amy Edwards 1:16:23
🥉 Imogen Mcadie 1:20:23

Aquabike Open 👏
🥇 Andrew Jones 1:19:20
🥈 Matt Anthony 1:22:30
🥉 Owain Lewis - strange 1:23:27

Aquabike Female 👏
🥇 Paige Horsnell 1:28:08
🥈 Mollie Dacey 1:29:28
🥉 Pascale Wehr 1:31:40

Standard Triathlon Open 👏
🥇 Benjamin Goodfellow 1:48:58
🥈 Jack Smith 1:53:17
🥉 Chris Standidge 1:54:08

Standard Triathlon Female 👏
🥇 Kate Curran 1:53:56
🥈 Tamika Baynes 2:11:25
🥉 Krista Kuusijarvi 2:19:17