Big turnout for Crystal Palace race (From Croydon Guardian)

Big turnout for Crystal Palace race

MORE than 650 competitors took part in the annual Crystal Palace triathlon on Sunday.

Competitors slog it out in the cycling section of the race

The day started with club members and marshals arriving at 6am to set up and prepare the course ready for the adult race at 9am, which were followed by the five junior races in the afternoon.

After a gruelling race in the heat, Sevenoaks Tri Club’s Neil Harris won the men’s race, while Serpentine’s Grainne O’Donnell claimed victory in the women’s event.

Crystal Palace’s Jon Horsman and Sevenoaks’ Claire Hitchings took the honours in the veterans (40+) events, with Ian Birch and Karen Grieves doing likewise in the super veterans (50+).

The winners of the junior races were: Junior – Rory Atkins, Optima Racing Team and Bethaney Hall, RG Active/triandrun, who was racing in her first ever triathlon.

TriStar 3 – Lewis Hawkins, Jetstream Tri Club and Greta Sharp, Crystal Palace Triathletes.

TriStar 2 – Alex Yee, Crystal Palace Triathletes and Orla Fawcett, Amersham TriStars.

TriStar 1 – Sindead Clark, East Essex Tri and Dominic King.

Crystal Palace Triathlon Club chairman John Petrides said: “Our race gets bigger and better every year and I don’t know how we are going to beat today’s event.

“All of the competitors seemed to enjoy the experience, commenting on what a friendly and supportive club we are, and all want to come back to this sell-out event next year.”

For a full list of race results, or for more information on the club, visit crystalpalace-tri.co.uk