Records fall at the Slateman
Immense Snowdonian event attracts over 1,200 athletes to Llanberis
The eighth edition of the Slateman Triathlon in Llanberis, North Wales, was a record-breaking race, with an eight-year high for water temperatures, weather and race times.
220 were amongst the 1,200+ triathletes taking part across the two days the Pedalcover Slateman opened Always Aim High’s ‘2018 SUUNTO Adventure Triathlon Series’, a trio of Adventure Triathlons based in North Wales.
SPRINT SATURDAY
Slateman Saturday consists of the shorter races of the weekend. With the first day of the two-day Savage Race and the Sprint Triathlon. A sprint duathlon was added this year alongside the Sprint which added to the racing and delivered both in terms of challenging terrain and competitive racing.
As sprint races go, the Slateman course is one of the tougher on the calendar. With the swim in the chilly waters of Llyn Padarn and a bike taking in the steep ascent and descent of Pen y Pass, a shin-splittingly savage climb into the forests of Elidir Fach finishes the race. The women’s race saw a tight finish with Rebecca Lodge taking the win by 31 seconds to Ruth Purbrook in a time of 1.19.14 and third going to Hannah Bruce of Manchester Tri.
In the men’s race the battle for first was fought hard in the forest, with Scott Hill of RAF Triathlon emerging victorious in 1.13.12, followed by Dan Elliot in 1.14.53 and Jon Reilly in third in a time of 1.15.38. This was the first time the podium has been taken by three Savage Athletes.
The all-new Duathlon saw Stephen Abbott win the men’s race with a time of 1:22:05, while Rhian Roxborough of GOG Tri took first place in the women’s race with a time of 1:23:17.
THE CLASSIC SUNDAY
With north wales waking to another warm and sunny day, the warm waters of Llyn Padarn welcomed over 900 ‘Classic’ Distance athletes to Day 2 of the Pedalcover Slateman.
In the Classic Race, Under 23 Jack Hindle took the best part of 4mins of the course record to finish first in 2.24.45 a head Pete Dyson and Beau Smith.
The women’s Classic saw the strong return of Aim High Champion, Suzie Richards, who took the win in 2.45.44 and knocked 7mins off the course record. The Savage titles were won by Scott Hill of RAF Triathlon and Ruth Purbrook of Full On Tri.
We’ll have a major seven-page Slateman Savage race report in issue 353 of 220, out on 14 June.
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For more information on Always Aim High’s 2018 & 2019 race calendar, visit www.alwaysaimhighevents.com.
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
