Successful Stirling Triathlon Club gains club of the year

Nov 18 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING Triathlon Club has won the Triathlon Scotland Club of the Year and will host a world qualifier duathlon in March 2010.

The award is made to the club which meets a number of criteria including provision of high quality coaching; increased participation levels throughout the past 12 months; shown commitment to and achievement in developing athletes, volunteers, coaches and officials; has a documented participant pathway in place and a commitment to develop athletes in accordance with this; demonstrable achievements and inclusive to all and reduced barriers to participation.

Stirling has also established a GSB (GoldSilverBronze) Scheme designed to facilitate and nurture elite performances.

This summer the club won the juniors’ Scottish Aquathlon Cup and has eight children in the Scottish squad.

Coach John Lunn said: “We have several athletes who are Scottish champions showing that determination and hard work will be rewarded.”

Twelve Stirling Tri Club members successfully completed the recent Barcelona Challenge comprising a 3.8k swim (2.4 miles), 180km bike (112 miles) and 42k marathon run (26.2 miles). First from the club to cross the line was Andre Reiberg (11.04.08) followed by Simon Puttock, Christian Woodfood, Bob Hanson, Alistair Abbott, Billy Mitchell, Hans Grupping, David Wilson, Dave Richards, Stuart Wilson and John Salmons.

Jim and Cath Thompson and Viv Hanson formed a team to complete the same course in the three sections (swim, bike run) and completed in 12.50.51.

Stirling youth triathlete Duncan McArthur gained a silver medal at the British Youth Championships held in London. Club President Graham Coull said: “Duncan should be very proud of this performance which I hope is the start of even greater things to come as we build up for 2014 Commonwealth Games. Duncan is one of the club’s hardest working, if not the hardest working triathletes.”

Duncan completed the 325 metre swim, 10 km bike and 3km run in 38.38, just 12 seconds behind the winner, another Scot, Cameron Milne from Kinross and just one second ahead of the third-placed competitor, Simon Jenkins, in a dramatic sprint finish.

Other members competing recently include Keith Wilkinson who raced under Irish colours at the world Triathlon Championships in the male 35–38 age-group. Keith completed the 1500m swim 24 mile bike and 10k run in two hours and 14 minutes and placed 81st.

Several club members participated in the Huntly Triathlon, notably Stuart Black, who competed in the demonstration triathlon event at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand in 1990, and won Huntly in 1995. This time he was third male overall and second male veteran (40-49). Andy Turnbull was second male overall and first male senior. Richard Farquhar was sixth male senior.

Chris Black was the first Stirling triathlete home in the Stirling 10K, which he completed in 34 minutes and five seconds.