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2022 Race Report

Always Aim High Events were proud hosts of the first ever Weston Park Triathlon on 7th May. Nearly 400 athletes from around the UK travelled to the stunning location to enjoy a fast course set in the acres of Parkland that surround the Stately Home.

Always Aim High Events brought the positive, encouraging vibe that they are renowned for across the border in Wales and the athletes matched it as the sun beamed down as they walked from transition, past the bluebells to the startline.

The event started at 10.00am with both the Sprint Duathlon and Triathlon starting simultaneously. The swim was a time trial start in the beautiful; Temple Pool. For most this was the first competitive open water swims of the season and with a recorded morning temperature of 15.2 degrees and a warm air temperature, the conditions were good. On a zig-zag course, swimmers completed 5 and a half lengths of the lake. This was followed by 4 laps of a 6km bike course and 2 laps of off-road running.

The triathlon included a fantastic variety of competitors of all age and experience. The time trial start made for an exciting climax and for some a nervous wait as the results were finalised.

In the women's Sprint triathlon Anwen Nesham led the way after the swim with a time of 14.37 followed closely by Katie Edge at 14.42. Anwen held the lead after the bike with Dotty Bouck-Standen coming into second place a minute behind and Josie Lockwood 30 seconds on her heels. Some fantastic running from our top three made for an exciting finish with Josie running an incredible 21.18 to take the crown in a time of 01.24.07. Dotty took second only 11 seconds behind in 01.24.18. Anwen finished third, at only 15 years of age the future looks bright for this young athlete and she is certainly one to watch, we will surely be seeing her on the top of the podium soon.

In the Men’s Sprint, it was Matt Barnes who led the way into the bike, with Ben Atkins and Mike Cannon hot on his heels. After a very quick transition, Jeremy McLean jumped into third place going into the bike, taking the lead on the first lap and holding it into transition. Heading out of T2 McLean was over a minute ahead of Tomos Hales with Oliver Rodwell just 5 seconds behind Hales. A fantastic run of 17.32 saw Matt Barnes back in the top three but he was unable to close the gap and it was Jeremy who comfortably took the win in 01.10.40. Matt Barnes finished second in 01.12.21 and Oliver Rodwell third in 01.12.48.

In the super-sprint Emily Burton, Suzie Middleton and Gill Orger held the top three spots throughout. Emily took the win in 53.14 in front of Suzie in 54.35 with Gill in third in 57.40.

In the Men’s Super Sprint, Mika Brown left the rest of the pack standing, finishing in an impressive 38.46, nearly 12 minutes ahead of David Humphreys taking second in 50.35 and Scott Ambler third in 52.59.

It was a similar story in the women’s duathlon with Beth Jones taking the win with nearly 7 minutes to spare in a time of 01.21.44. Heather Ridgus took 2nd in 01.29.10 and Ginny Johnson 3rd in 01.30.19

The Men’s duathlon was the battle of the Marks with both Mark Rabaiotti and Mark Shepherd leaving T2 on exactly the same time of 01.09.06. The honours eventually want to Rabaiotti in 01.09.06. Shepherd took second in 01.10.10 and Steven Brown joined on the podium in third finishing in 01.13.19.

Always Aim High Events Director Tim Lloyd said ‘It’s been incredible to host the first ever triathlon at this fabulous venue in such perfect conditions. So many people have told us how much they enjoyed it and how much potential they believe the event has. We can’t wait to come back with an even bigger and better event, it’s going to become a staple on many triathletes' and duathletes' calendars.

We’ve had perfect conditions and seen some inspiring racing from emerging young talent, para-athletes, first timers and athletes of all ages. This is a truly inclusive event where everyone is made welcome.

We would like to thank Jenny and the team at Weston Park for helping us put on such a brilliant event. Nothing has been too much trouble and we look forward to continuing our relationship. We’d also like to thank our race sponsors and all the spectators that supported the athletes around the course.

Lastly, we would like to thank our amazing marshals and volunteers, many of who travelled a distance to be with us at Weston Park. We couldn’t put on such fantastic races without them.

Race photographs are available now via Mick Hall Photography.


Selected 2022 Results

Super Sprint Triathlon Women:

  1. Emily Burton 00:53:13
  2. Suzie Middleton 00:54:34
  3. Gill Orger 00:57:39

Super Sprint Triathlon Men:

  1. Mika Brown 00:38:45
  2. David Humphreys 00:50:34
  3. Scott Ambler 00:52:58

Sprint Triathlon Women:

  1. Josie Lockwood 01:24:07
  2. Dotty Bouck- Standen 01:24:18
  3. Anwen Newsham 01:26:32

Sprint Triathlon Men:

  1. Jeremey Maclean 01:10:40
  2. Matt Barns 01:12:21
  3. Oliver Rodwell 01:12:48

Sprint Duathlon Women:

  1. Beth Jones 01:22:17
  2. Heather Ridgus 01:29:13
  3. Ginny Johnson 01:30:23

Sprint Duathlon Men:

  1. Mark Rabiaotti 01:09:08
  2. Mark Sheperd 01:10:12
  3. Steven Brown 01:13:11

View full race results for the Weston Park Triathlon & Duathlon HERE.

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