30 June 2019:  The 2019 Montrose Triathlon went off without a hitch on Sunday, 2 June with over 200 participants  and 70 volunteers braving the soggy weather in the morning only to be rewarded with sunshine by mid afternoon.

 

 

The Montrose event, which is now in its sixth year, saw participants swim at Montrose Sports Centre, before biking out via Usan and Ferryden, and then running round the beachfront.  Participants were either taking part in the novice distance which involved a 400m swim, 12km bike and 5km run, or the slightly longer sprint distance (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run).

 

The 2019 event received a huge amount of support from the local community and businesses.  70 volunteers registered to help on the day, a much needed army to keep all the participants safe and heading in the right direction.  An army marches on its stomach and the organisers were very grateful to Scotmid and Strathmore Water for providing lunch for all the volunteers and water for all participants and volunteers.  The event was also received much needed support from Agrii, Arbikie Highland Estates, Angus Bike Chain, Blooming Bee’s, Carnoustie Creative, Glenford and AM Phillip (who provided a fleet of vehicles to support the event), McCain, Park Hotel and Links Hotel, Sattva Wellness and the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Montrose Basin Centre.

 

The sprint distance was won by local lad Craig Wood (33, Inverbervie, Montrose Triathlon Club) who finished 19 seconds ahead of second placed Jodie Smith (38, Portsoy, Aurora Triathlon Team) and over two minutes ahead of David Holden (40, Cupar, East Fife Triathlon Club) who finished the event in third place.  In the ladies event, Aberdeen’s Katherine Neilly (27, Aberdeen, no club) took top spot, comfortably ahead of Jane Luckhurst (41, Forfar, no club) in second and Avril Stewart (40, Forfar, no club) who finished third.

 

In the novice distance the men’s podium was dominated by junior athletes, Gavin Johansen (16, Montrose, no club) upgrading his second place finish from the 2018 event to a first place finish in a time of 53:07.  Ryan Smith (32, Cove, no club) finished the event in second place ahead of Laurencekirk’s Innes Kelly (14, Laurencekirk, no club) who put in a stunning performance for his age to take third place in his first ever triathlon event.  In the ladies event less than a minute separated the top three finishers with Aberdeen’s Ruth Quigley (28, Aberdeen, no club) taking top spot, Gillian King (43, Aberdeen, no club) just missing out on second place by 9 seconds, and Glenrothes Triathlon Club’s Gillian Peters (42, Cupar, Glenrothes Triathlon Club) finishing in third place.

 

Race organiser Maggie Lawrie commented “I’m delighted with the continued support we receive for our events and want to say a massive thank you to not only to everyone who took part, but also everyone who helps makes this event happen.  This includes all the volunteers who give up their time on the day, as well as the local businesses who support the event.  This really is a team effort.  A lot of work goes in behind the scenes to make it happen but it’s worth it to see the smiles on everyone’s face at the end of the race, whether it be their first triathlon or if they are seasoned pro’s.”