Shephard leads way as Do3 dominate Upton Triathlon

WARWICKSHIRE triathlon squad Do3 swept the board at Saturday’s Upton Triathlon.

Held in Upton-on-Severn, a dozen of the team raced the standard distance race made up of a 1.5km river swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

Three athletes finished in the top five overall and podium places were taken by Richard Shephard and Oscar Barbour, who were first and third respectively with times of 2.02.27 and 2.08.38.

Neil Wicks was first in his age category and fourth overall with Guy Bicknell a close second in the same age group.

Carl James and Steven Hession pulled in notable performances, while Paul Nash was on the podium again with a third in his age group.

Lucy Hartwright was the 13th woman to complete the race and her husband, James Hartwright, finished in the top 20 overall with a time of 2.24.59.

In Hampshire, Cameron Craik was on winning form and placed second overall at the Andover Sprint Triathlon.

In endurance racing, Do3 headed for Ironman Bolton. Recognised as one of the toughest Ironman courses; competitors had to contend with soaring temperatures during their 2.4m swim, 95m bike and 26.2m run.

Mike Willers, Leighanne Earley, James Stacey, and Rob Sabin all finished the race with Mike Willers completing the event in 13:29:39.

In other endurance events; Stuart Pryor flew the Do3 flag at the Tenby Long Course Triathlon made up of a 2.4m sea swim, 112 bike and 26.2 marathon and Kate Wilson took part in the Race to the Stones, a 100km ultra marathon run on trail from the Chilterns to North Wessex.

Do3 member Mike Willers, from Stratford, said: ‘Ironman Bolton can only be described as brutal.

“Racing this distance takes a certain mindset but add in the scorching sun it was a different ball game. I was confident in my ability to complete the distance as Dave Knight (coach) has put me through my paces to get to the start line.

“The weather added an untested dimension and everyone’s mental resistance was stretched to the max.”

Dave Knight, Do3’s head coach added: "Bolton is known to be a ruthless course and everyone from the squad completed in very trying circumstances.

"We don’t just train for speed and endurance we also try and get people to better understand their own mindsets and appreciate that things won’t always go to plan. Everyone who headed to Bolton bought this into play.

"It’s been another weekend of amazing successes for Do3 and it goes without saying we’ve a collection of inspiring and dedicated individuals."