On a sunny September weekend, 17 athletes from OTS and LFR traveled to the New Forest to compete in the standard distance (1500m swim, 40km ride, 10km run) and the middle distance (1900m swim, 90km ride and 21km run) triathlon.  

Between the swimmers who won't run and the runners who can't swim and those tapering for Ironman Wales and Berlin Marathon, 3 strong relay teams were formed. They raced at the front of the pack with Grace as one of the first few came out of the water; Liv and Nadia as 2nd and 3rd fastest female cyclists; Mary and Jen clocked in 1:41 and 1:47 for their half marathon on a hilly course. Special mention to Liv and Kirsty who were celebrating their wedding anniversary by racing as a team! 

The swim was in a 20C lake with plenty of undergrowth. To add to the excitement, there was a 1.6km run from the swim finish to the transition area. The beautiful ride through New Forest became a game of horse dodging and donkeys spotting. To finish off, the run was off road, on tough undulating hilly terrain.

Izzy and Laura both smashed the standard distance coming 4th and 5th in their age group and Ex-OTS Jonny from Outdoor Swimmer magazine also came 4th in his age group.  

Congratulations to Kathryn, Carlos, Rowan, Erika and Nas who all completed their first middle distance (aka half-iron) with a brutal hilly off road half marathon at the end. Alex who was supposed to be tapering accidentally went out too hard and took a 2nd place in his age group. 

Relay teams: 

Grace (OTS), Nadia (LFR), Jen (LFR) - 1st female team 

Liv (OTS/LFR) swim & bike, Kirsty (OTS/LFR) run with Emily as pacer - 2nd Female team

Anna (LFR), Emma, Mary (LFR) - 3rd Female team