The Weardale Triathlon, organised by Wear Valley District Council, is one of the oldest triathlons in the north of England, having started in the 1980’s when the sport was in its infancy. In those days the competitors had to brave a 1500m swim in Waskerley Reservoir in the Pennines followed by a cycle course over the moors to Stanhope and then a descent through Weardale to Crook There the event was concluded with a tough 10kms run around the country lanes of Roddymoor.

The logistical and financial problems of having two transition areas meant inevitably that the race had to be rationalised into one base at Stanhope. However competitors still have to endure a 750m swim in Stanhope open-air pool, followed by a 20kms bike route to Wolsingham and back and an “undulating” 5kms run.

Tony Dixon (left) of hartlepooltriathletes.com secured his third and Donna James (below) of Durham Tri Club her fourth win of the season in this year's race on Sunday 4th June. Dixon was the only competitor to finish the event in under one hour and James’ victory was in spite of an accident a couple of weeks earlier which left her with an injured shoulder and written-off car. Despite this she still managed to break the course record!

The event was in doubt until as late as a week prior to race-day as heavy rain in preceeding weeks meant that the ford over the River Wear, which all competitors had to negotiate at the end of the run section, was too dangerous to cross. Fortunately fine weather for a few days lowered the level sufficiently for the race to take place.

Chris Philpott of East Coast Tri and Natalie Batey of Ryton Tri, both new to the senior ranks were the fastest swimmers in the pool in 9.40 and 11.04 respectively. Colin Liddle of NE31 (30.31) and Donna James (33.40) had the quickest bike splits but this was where Dixon made his move with a second fastest 30.36, over a minute quicker than Colin Gardner of Ryton Tri in third. Ex-international track runner Rob West had the fastest run of the day in 17.29 but he had left it too late and Dixon secured his win with the next best run time of 18.01. James also had the fastest ladies run time of 19.25.

Photos of all competitors can be viewed and downloaded at:-

Leading Results

Senior Men
1. Tony Dixon (hartlepooltriathletes.com) 10.48 / 30.36 / 18.01 / 59.25
2. Scott Holmes (TFN Orca RT) 9.50 / 32.49 / 18.55 / 1.01.34
3. Eddie Cooper (NE31 Tri) 10.52 / 32.35 / 19.17 / 1.02.44

Senior Ladies
1. Jen Milsom (Cleveland Biketraks) 14.00 / 35.26 / 20.33 / 1.09.59
2. Caroline Findlay (Alnwick Tri) 13.18 / 36.51 / 21.36 / 1.11.45
3. Natalie Batey (Ryton Tri Club) 11.04 / 36.47 / 24.01 / 1.11.52

Veteran Men (M40)
1. Roger Godley (Cleveland Biketraks) 10.12 / 31.50 / 18.50 / 1.00.52
2. Paul Godley (Cleveland Biketraks) 10.32 / 31.53 / 18.47 / 1.01.12
3. Dave Stevens (One Life Racing) 10.34 / 31.52 / 19.20 / 1.01.46

Veteran Ladies (F40)
1. Donna James (Durham Tri Club) 12.28 / 33.40 / 19.25 / 1.05.33
2. Jaci Fergusson (Ryton Tri Club) 13.38 / 35.56 / 21.37 / 1.11.11
3. Amanda Cantle (Sun City Tri Club) 12.34 / 36.31 / 23.23 / 1.12.28

Veteran Men (M50)
1. Michael Dunne (Cleveland Biketraks) 13.44 / 32.59 / 21.19 / 1.08.02
2. Rob Wilkins (Cleveland Biketraks) 12.48 / 34.43 / 21.26 / 1.08.57
3. Keith Pinder (One Life Racing) 13.24 / 36.02 / 21.49 / 1.11.15

Veteran Ladies (F50)
1. Elspeth Lawson (Tyne Tri Club) 16.56 / 44.54 / 27.19 / 1.20.09
2. Sandra Main (Cleveland Biketraks) 18.22 / 47.04 / 30.12 / 1.35.38

Veteran Men (M60)
1. Don Shotton (Tyne Tri Club) 16.00 / 38.25 / 23.37 / 1.18.02
2. Richard Hatfield (Cleveland Biketraks) 12.08 / 41.01 / 27.10 / 1.20.19
3. Trevor Went (NYP Tri Club) 20.00 / 44.50 / 21.41 / 1.26.31

Veteran Ladies (F60)
1. Erika Enisz (hartlepooltriathletes.com) 20.00 / 42.42 / 27.55 / 1.30.37

Full results can be viewed at:-