Three brave Ponteland Tri members took part last Sunday in the Spanish City Triathlon at Whitley Bay.  The weather forecast,  in particular the wind,  would have put most people off but not our keen participants.  The following race report is from Andy Gowens.

“Well the race….., it was a great course in sunshine and wind. The mass start on a mainly pebbly beach with hidden boulders beneath the grey north sea was a great starter and I managed to find a nice sandy take off strip which gave me a decent start on the hooter. The water was purely tropical once the initial shock had worn off and I must say not as bad as anticipated with the forecast. Anyway once over the washing machice start and into the swim it was ok. The first bouy was a bit bumpy and second rather ruck like buy nothing like the turn back to the dome of the spanish city with the wind providing several gallons of seawater when breathing. Well at last out of the water, thank god and several hail mary’s into transition and onto the bike. No sooner onto open road and the wind started proving that the deep section wheels were not a good choice with several hairy moment over the two laps at seaton sluice bridge of what would be a fast course on a better day. I was pleased to rack the bike and run off towards st Marys lighthouse thinking who’s stolen my legs and I need to do more bricks in the winter. The run course being a mini me of park run was good with a few hills and a set of rocky like steps chucked in near the turn and finish. What a joy they were but a great spectator course thoughout with lots of encouragement throughout.  A really good morning.”

Results for our three participants are available here.  Really well done to Andy Gowens, Dave Legg and Paul Armstrong.