Kielder Iron Distance Triathlon – in pics

Just 26 hardy competitors set off at 6am for the first-ever Kielder Iron Distance Triathlon in Northumberland on July 5.

Robert Demetriou reigned victorious, finishing nine minutes ahead of second place Paul Davies in an unpredictable race where the lead changed several times.

Only two women started the race and Emily Locks, of Clapham Chasers, came out on top in fairly comprehensive fashion, not surrendering the lead once.

Starting with a swim in Kielder Water, Europe’s largest manmade lake, athletes then faced a 180km cycle that crossed from England into Scotland before finishing with a trial marathon around the shoreline of Kielder Water.

Paul Davies, racing for North Shields Poly, was first out the water posting a time of 1:04:24, two and a half minutes ahead of Demetriou. Emily Locks finished three minutes ahead of the only other female competitor Christine Little.

Davies would surrender the lead on the bikes following two good performances by strong cyclists Mark Lingard and Nick Williamson. Lingard led the race going into T2 11 minutes ahead of the eventual winner, Demetriou – who was now in fourth. Locks also went into T2 11 minutes ahead of Christine Little.

With an 11-minute gap to close, Demetriou set to work in catching the front three. Williamson edged into the lead at the 13km mark but only held a four-minute lead over Davies and Demetriou, who was still closing in. Lingard, who went into T2 with the lead, fell away and out of the top three.

With a very strong showing Demetriou gradually caught up with Williamson, overtaking Davies in the process. The two front-runners matched each other stride to stride across the Kielder Dam.

Williamson began to fade, leaving Demetriou to take the victory at the first ever Kielder Iron Distance Triathlon. Davies managed to overtake Williamson for second place, finishing over a minute ahead of the former race leader.

Marking his 99^th Iron Distance, Anthony Gerundini moved into fourth and a consistent Lingard finished fifth.

Emily Locks finished just under seven minutes ahead of Christine Little. At one point in the run Little managed to close the gap down to eight minutes but couldn’t keep with the leading lady.

Kielder Iron Distance Triathlon 2015 results

Male

1. Robert Demetriou – 11:12:39
2. Paul Davies – 11:21:16
3. Nick Williamson – 11:22:35

Female

1. Emily Locks – 13:43:10
2. Christine Little – 13:59:55

Did you race Kielder? Let us know in the comments below!

As the sun rose at dawn at Kielder Water in the rugged border hills of Northumberland, 26 hardy competitors set off for the first-ever Kielder Iron Distance Triathlon on July 5.

Robert Demetriou reigned victorious, finishing nine minutes ahead of second-placed Paul Davies in an unpredictable race where the lead changed several times.

Only two women started the race and Emily Locks, of Clapham Chasers, came out on top in fairly comprehensive fashion, not surrendering the lead once.

Robert Demetriou on his way to winning Kielder Iron Distance Triathlon

With a very strong showing, Demetriou gradually caught up with Williamson, overtaking Davies in the process. The two front-runners matched each other stride-for-stride across the Kielder Dam.

Marking his 99^th iron-distance race, Anthony Gerundini moved into fourth and a consistent Lingard finished fifth.

Women’s winner Emily Locks on the run at Kielder Iron Distance Triathlon

Emily Locks finished just under seven minutes ahead of Christine Little. At one point in the run Little managed to close the gap down to eight minutes but couldn’t keep with the leading lady.