OTE Middle and CV Sprint Triathlon Race Report 2024
Sunday, the 21st of July saw the fourth editions of the Compton Verney Sprint Distance and On The Edge Middle Distance Triathlons. Set in the beautiful Capability Brown landscaped Park Farm estate in Compton Verney Warwickshire, this truly has to be one of the U.K.’s most beautiful triathlons.
The On The Edge Middle Distance race started at 7 am with a 2-lap 1900 m swim around the beautiful Park farm Lake. Following that at 90 km bike ride around the Warwickshire countryside. The bike course has a challenging first half which takes in Avon Dassett hill and the infamous Edge Hill after which the race is named. The second half has something for the time trailers with long fast sections and a nice descent from the top of the Edge Hill escarpement. Following the bike the racers set off on a two lap run course which is very much multi terrain and like the bike course, has a mixture of everything. Grassy sections, some tarmac and gravel trails to challenge even the hardiest triathlete.
The middle distance event had 131 entrants, 25 women and 106 in the open category. Jamie Meldrum from West Lothian Tri Club took first place overall in a time of 4:33:12. Second place was James Claxton (RIAK Fitness) in a time of 4:42:23 and third was Aaron Baxter (no club listed) in 4:45:21. In the women’s race, Miriam Apsley (Spa Striders) took first place in a time of 5:20:55, Deidre McCarthy (Manchester Tri Club) was second in 5:31:19 and Jane Harris (Tewkesbury Tri Club) third in 5:40:57.
Age category results are below and the full results can be found here: https://results.racetimingsolutions.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=1922
The sprint distance Triathlon starts with a 400 meter swim, then a 23 km bike, then finishes with a 5 km run. The shorter swim (sprint distances usually have a 750 m swim) is to make the event more beginner friendly, and this certainly worked as there were a high number of first timers taking their first steps into the sport. There were 175 entrants overall, with 69 women and 106 in the open category.
The sprint bike course climbs over Pittern Hill before descending into Kineton. From there it heads out towards Edge Hill before turning left onto Perimeter Road (a great time trial section!). Its then up to Gaydon before heading back to Kineton and then back over Pittern Hill the opposite way and into T2. The run is a mixture of grass and trails and include the now infamous Combrook Hill, a challenging but very much doable 5k!
David Sheldon (no club listed) took first overall in a time of 1:08:47, Josh Hough (MM Triathlon) was second in a time of 1:10:35 and James Dyke (no club listed) third in 1:12:30. In the women’s race, Amy Cox (no club listed) took first place in a time of 1:18:14, Katie Spendlove (enDuRo) was second in 1:25:24 and Samantha Watters (no club listed) third in 1:25:48
Age category results are below and the full results can be found here: https://results.racetimingsolutions.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=1922
The great thing about both of these races, is that they really offer something for everyone. The sprint distance triathlon is beginner friendly with a 400m swim and a simple bike course and the middle distance event is one to really challenge with such mixed terrain. Both races take in the quintessential English countryside.
The race has a friendly vibe and there are no official cut-offs. Add to that great food stalls, sales tents and a giant touchscreen to get instant results, its a race that has it all. Oh and prices are reasonable too (great value in our opinion). Do3 want to continue to grow the race and next year are hoping it can be used as a European middle distance qualifier.
To enter next years events click the links below. At the time of writing, there was an offer of super-reduced prices for the first 50 to sign up in each distance!
Compton Verney Sprint Triathlon: https://www.do3.co.uk/compton-verney-sprint-triathlon
On The Edge Middle Distance Triathlon: https://www.do3.co.uk/on-the-edge-middle-distance-triathlon
