Bright start for Nidderdale’s first sprint triathlon

More than 120 competitors lined up to swim, cycle and run in the sprint distance triathlon which was held at the Nidderdale Pool & Leisure Centre at Pateley Bridge.

After the 400 metre pool swim, Bright was just one second off the fastest time before pulling away, recording 33.45 on the 20km cycle section and an 18.24 dash in the 5km run.

The Harrogate Tri Club member finished the event in one hour.

Just four minutes and nine seconds later Dave Mann from Low Laithe, who recently competed in the ITU World Triathlon Age Group Championships in Canada, crossed the line, with Greg Elwell (1.05.44) coming in third.

Mann’s time saw him scoop wins in both the vets age group and male ‘local’ categories.

Heather Tuffs won the women’s race with a time of 1.07.46, which also placed her fourth in the overall standings.

Second in the women’s race was Louise Hanley with a time of 1.08.02, while third place went to Deborah Moss after finishing in 1.14.02.

Female vets age group winner was Louise Hanley while Emma Stoney scooped the female ‘local’ category with a time of 1.17.03.

Top female prize was a night’s accommodation at The Crown Inn in Pateley Bridge for next year’s triathlon, while top male prize was a steak dinner with a bottle of wine at the inn. The ‘local’ category winners walked away with superb pies donated by Kendalls butchers in Pateley Bridge.

After the success of this year’s event, and with a waiting list of people wanting to compete, the organisers are already laying plans for the triathlon to become an annual fixture.