TOM ATKINSON battled through currents, searing heat and cramps to win the Accuro Jersey Triathlon at a canter.
The Jerseyman romped home in a time of 1hr 59mins 58 secs way ahead of the rest of the pack, while Guernsey’s Megan Chapple was equally out in front among the female competitors and looked like she had just completed a casual Sunday morning stroll as she crossed the finish line in a time of 2hrs 15mins 46secs.
Jack Kennedy finished second in the men, nearly five minutes after Atkinson, while last year’s winner Jo Gorrod was second out of the women, nearly four minutes behind Chapple.
‘I’m really pleased,’ said an understated Atkinson as he tried to catch his breath and seek immediate hydration.
‘It was really hot out there but I knew I could do it.
‘The crowd was great and that helped me push on. You never know what might happen but I was confident going into the race.’
Chapple is now based in London. She was pleased to be back at the Jersey Triathlon metaphorically flying the Guernsey flag for the first time since 2019.
She was looking as fresh faced at the finish as she was at the start over two hours before.
‘I don’t sweat but I am dying inside,’ she admitted.
‘It was a really good race. The conditions were hot today. A lot of people were struggling. It was hard.
‘A lot of the run was in the shade which was a godsend.
‘But I am always, always happy to win.’
It was a credit to all the athletes to even make it to the finish line.
The early morning sun offered no respite, while during the swim they had to contend with strong currents.
The day started at 7.15am with four junior tristar events. Tait Smith won the first (11mins 45secs), followed by Henry Rigby (20mins 37secs), Hugo Nowacki (23mins 2secs) and Rory Baines (26mins 56secs).
Luke Holmes then came home first in the Super Sprint for the second year running in a time of 30mins 14secs, with Sienna Stephens the first female across the line in 34mins 51secs.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s Rory Strachan smashed it in the Jersey Sprint event, just four seconds under seven minutes ahead of second placed Henry Frost, with a time of 1hr 31mins 44secs.
Helen Munro was the winner amongst the female triathletes in 2hrs 2mins 52secs.
‘I was absolutely blowing it and thought I was going to collapse on the second lap [of the run] but I just had to control myself and control my breathing to get through it,’ said Strachan.
‘The spectators really motivated me too and coming down the finishing straight was so amazing.
‘I’ve got family here in Jersey and I was here four years ago when my brother was competing and he won, so I felt that I needed to come back. It was amazing today. It is such a massive event and I really enjoyed it.’
