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Mountain Biking News Item
No Answers as Kenny Wins Big Ben Nevis Triathlon
WEDNESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2008
Tbe Big Ben Nevis Triathlon & The Half Big Ben Nevis Triathlon Sponsored by For Goodness Shakes
Kenny Riddle overcame the harsh conditions of a rain soaked Big Ben Nevis Triathlon to lead the field after seven hours of grueling competition. The former Commonwealth cyclist didn't have it all his own way though and while local support for Kenny cheered him on, the crowds were also keen to follow the progress of unknown quantity Ted Aas from Sweden, a late entrant that arrived keen to make the trip worth his while.
Setting off in choppy waters at 8am and a head wind of about 14mph Aas made an immediate impact, emerging first out of the water following the 1.9km loch swim in the icy waters of Loch Linnhe with a impressive time of 32mins 14secs. Following a lightening fast changeover of 40 seconds Aas set off on his mountain bike with a clear road ahead of him. Riddle wasn't far behind and carried the chase crossing over the Cow Hill and into Glen Nevis in a desperate attempt to keep up with the Swede's lap times, the fastest of which was 53 minutes, on the 90km bike ride. Despite this Riddle remained just a minute behind at the second transition.
The 21km fell run up and then down Ben Nevis was where Riddle made his move and a fantastic ascent saw him take a clear lead with only the 2006 winner Donald Paterson's record time to beat. Despite the inclement weather Riddle finished victorious just minutes outside the record time at 7hrs 35secs and a full half hour ahead of second placed Ted Aas. The top woman finisher was Charlotte Maurisen who finished 19th overall with a time of 9 hours 26 mins 41 secs.
In the inaugural Half Big Ben Nevis Triathlon Ian Veitch and Graham Whyte were fighting out the positions on the mountain, with Ian holding on as Graham put in a strong run and reducing the lead to 50 seconds as they crossed the line.
For triathlethes in both competitions the mist on the UK's highest mountain never cleared above half way with visibility down to less than 30 meters on the top and the support of Lochaber Athletic Club and the Mountain Rescue was invaluable and reassuring. Despite this a strong field of local, UK and international triathletes vowed to return to the Outdoor Capital of the UK for an event that pushes competitors to their physical and mental limits in some of the harshest weather conditions experienced in British racing.
Big Ben Triathlon Results
MEN
1 Kenny Riddle Inverness-shire - Total time 7:00:35
2 Ted Aas Sweden - Total time 7:30:28
3 Paul Matthews Aberdeenshire - Total time 07:56:54
WOMEN
1 Charlotte Maurissen Bath Total time 09:26:41
2 Ali Hughes Aberdeen10:19:30
3 Lucy Reid Edinburgh 10:44:34
Half Big Ben Results
1 Iain Veitch Hawick 04:04:04
2 Graham Whyte Inverness 04:04:54
3 Alasdair Sutherland 04:36:24
Source:
www.nofussevents.co.uk
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