
Races
More races for 2015
Hedgehog tri have all their races open for 2015, these are really really well organised kids races and their open water events for adults are also good (some of the races are qualifiers for the South East Series.
Here’s the link.
Greenwich Aquathon Race Entry
Entries for the 2015 Greenwich Aquathon is on Sunday 17th May and is now open. Enter here.
Rather a trek to get over to Greenwich, but Bill and Mack Downey have done this race twice and really enjoyed it. The swim is in a school pool, and the run is on grass around it's grounds. Great cafe and plates of home made cakes! Just have a look, see if it suits you.
London Fields Aquathlon & Junior Series Update
This is held at the beautiful London Fields heated 50m open air pool, with the run in the adjacent park - the perfect setting to complete the Series.
Junior Series Update
There are 10 events in the Series, and 2 are already full (Kingfisher & Crystal Palace).
The remainder have also had a very good number of entries in, with some starting to fill up too – e.g. Thames Turbo duathlon is full in the T3 boys category.
I would be very grateful if you could communicate this information on to others within your clubs not in the LRTS who would not be getting these emails directly.
Keep an eye on the Junior Series page for updates.
Age Group Stats
Somebody asked me how they work out which age category they were in for entering races.
If you download the document here all is revealed!
Priory Park, Reigate 17th January 2015
Just a couple of results from the Surrey Schools Cross-Country Championships
Mack Downey and Ben Taplin represented their districts in the Surrey Schools Cross Country Championships last week in Reigate.
They both competed in the Year 7 boys race, and had great results. In a large field of runners from all over the county Mack finished 9th and Ben 43rd so a great result all round
On Mack's performance he has been selected to represent Surrey.
It's nice to see Comets doing early season races.
Entering 2015 London League races.
A message from my good friend alerting us for the need to enter races early or be disappointed!
I am reminding you all (junior parents) about the need to enter Junior races early – the first event is Kingfisher Aquathlon and this has sold-out in 4 weeks with only 4 Comets entered (the Downey’s and the Hoseasons) – see here
However there is a waiting list that I would advise parents to go on as Kingfisher may review their numbers or people drop out. Here's the link.
I thought they may have been more considering how nearby it is and the fact that it is an aquathlon so far more accessible than a triathlon for example.
The London Region has a series of races called the London League. If you go on the triathlon league page (linked below) it will tell you the criteria for every race. Crystal Palace opens on Monday morning, if you don't enter by lunchtime you won't get them in! Kingfisher Aquathon on April 19th is filled already and we've only got four junior Comets entered. Absolutely any of the races will suit them, choose the races that lean towards their strengths swim/bike/run- triathlon. Bike/run-duathlon, swim/run- aquathon.They have a good chance of doing well in the London region in their age category but I think the criteria is they have to do four races for maximum scoring taking their top four positions and should do two triathlons plus a duathlon and an aquathon. There is also other races outside the London League that I've heard good reports of, link here, also they could/should enter the Thames Turbo junior aquathon in June as that one is very local. Hillingdon Duathlon in March is a great benchmark to see if their winter bike riding and running is improving. Anyquestions ask myself of one of the coaches for more info
Details of all the races are here.
Crystal Palace opens up on Monday, and it is likely that it will sell-out in some of the junior categories the same day! So folks, you need to be organised to get entered into this event because it is so popular. CRYSTAL PALACE IS FULL.
Latest On London Region Races 2015
Click on it and it will explain the format very clearly. If you're up there with a chance of getting a placing in the overall series you have to choose your races carefully. Triathlons give you the most points, if you only do Duathlons or Aquathons you have very little chance of showing how well you can perform in the points table. Target as many Triathlons as you can with at least three of the 500 point scoring races ( Duathlons or Aquathons ). Some races are open already, Keep your eye out for when Crystal Palace opens for entries as it fills within eight hours! It's important to let other Comet parents know which races your planning on entering your child/children into as support and team building is the key to success in 2015 for us.
We now have the Elite winter training jacket samples and the cycling tops all in club colours. See kit page for details
Christmas Cracker Handicap Aquathon Results!

A good mornings disorganised chaos (mainly by me!) with some racing in between! Senior winners were 1. Helen Smith (T.T) 2 within seconds,2. Malcolm Watts (T.T) 8 seconds & 3. Richie Thorpe (T.T) 9 seconds
Many thanks for all the helpers from both club.
The numbers are too numerous to mention but you know who you are and the help was much appreciated. Once we got going it started to run smoother. Just a special mention for Mark Bateman & Sophie Frame for doing the registration, timing and a hundred other jobs! Updated 5.30p.m. 21-12-2014
Hillingdon Duathlon On Remembrance Sunday

I've never felt so moved when at 11a.m between the races Hillingdon Triathletes stopped with the young of today for a minutes silence to remember the soldiers of the great wars. To be standing head bowed in respect with young and old alike for a silent reminder brought an emotional reaction I hadn't experienced before in my lifetime on Remembrance Sunday. Great days racing. Updated 21.30p.m. 09-11-2014
The mob match between London Region and the South East Region Juniors took place yesterday where we had two of our Comets taking part. Both Mack Downey and Calum Ruth scored for London Region in the narrow victory by 170 points to 160. So well done boys! There was also one of our friends from Thames Turbo who trains at the track with us (Spencer Bateman) taking part for London doing extremely well so well done everyone.
Juniors and acquiring bikes. With all the enthusiasm of taking up Triathlon the most necessary item is a road bike. It helps to keep up, a mountain bike will have you working 50% harder and still you won't be able to keep up! Solution. The best bet is to try bidding on eBay. I've been tracking a couple of junior bikes and for around £180-200 pounds you can get a decent bike that if it is the right size will last a couple of seasons. If you get it for the right price and look after the condition of it you should be able to sell it on for almost the same price. if you want more advice on purchasing the right size speak to Jenny or myself and we'll try and guide you. Tuesday swim. please bring a water bottle with you. Until the numbers grow we will still give the Junior members the benefit of an hour swim. Updated 12.30p.m. 21-10-2014
Prep For Those Racing Hillingdon On The 9th November
Bushy Parkrun Results
As well as the Jekyll & Hyde Duathlon 4K-20K-7k run-bike-run (this weekend) Sunday 26th October I'm in for the Richmond Park Thames Turbo half marathon on the 2nd November and to support the juniors I'm going for Hillingdon Duathlon on the 9th of November. My belated race season has kicked off!
I'm also trying to arrange a training session at Hillingdon during half term week.
If you have entered the Junior Hillingdon Duathlon and want to come along to practice on the circuit on Thursday 30th October 10.00a.m It's a good idea to let yourself know what you're in for! It's an undulating mile round course with an uphill section, sharp downhill curve and a long downhill to get up speed. We need at least four, there's no charge, and it'll stand you in good stead for the race. Please contact me as soon as possible if you're coming along so I can plan.
Comets at the Inaugural Parkrun 11th October 2014
Ben Taplin 21.59
Lucy Hoseason 24.50
George Turner 24.54
Teddy Davidson 25.59
Chloe Hoseason 29.28
Isobel ? 26.43
Michael Holden 26.44
Monty Savarino 35.35
Updated 11.30p.m. 13-10-2014
Racing Results From Around The Region
Yours truly raced at Crawley sprint and was 53 out of 130, so, top 41% and first over 60 year old. Not fair these races sometimes. I was lumped in with the over 40+ so no chance there.
Three comets raced at Hever Castle yesterday, here's the results below (including splits). As you can see the Ruth Boys raced and did exceptionally well. Calum Ruth was 40th overall in the top 6%, our new boy George Turner was 155th and in top 26% and Kyle Ruth got into the top 40%, great results and finally I ran Windsor Half Marathon. Disappointing time, 1.48.12 but conditions were exceptionally hot and lots of competitors were dropping like flies! 520th out of 4,100 so top 25% not too bad for an old codger! So that's another record broken in terms of the most Comets racing over a weekend Updated Monday 3.October 30 27-9-2014
GREAT RESULTS AT HUMAN RACE DORNEY LAKE CHILDRENS SUPER TRI 2014
In Tristart Kyle Ruth accounted for himself very well in a brave and controlled race he was 24th out of 76 overall in his first open water swim. Good swim, neat T1 transition, good bike (considering he's very new to road bike) good T2 fast run.
Calum Ruth did equally as well in Tristar1 coming 37th overall (boys and girls) out of 132, 25th boy out of 72, a good solid race.
Bill Downey also raced in the 13 to14 years old Tristar 2 fun catorgory. Bill was 4th overall out of 61 finishers, 2nd in the boys only category, a very good result, they are all trying!
The best result of the day for us was:
Mack Downey 6th in his Tristar 2 (11-12year olds) catergory out of over 100 competitors. A brilliant and thoroughly deserved result.
Other mentions go to Mathew O'neil who was 7th overall in the same division.
Spencer Bateman who is running like a demon placed 17th in Tristar1 10 - 11 year olds overall out of 142, 10th in boys only out of 72.
This is a wonderful venue and to see so many children and parents sharing the roller coaster experience racing Triathlon with such a high standard is awe inspiring.
Posted Sunday 7.00 p.m 6 -7 -2014
Greenwich Junior Aquathon Sunday 8th June And Other Races
We also had a Senior, Charlie Scott in action who was, so he told me, very proud to represent Comets in his very first open water race at Dorney Lake, coming in 45th overall out of 210 competitors, satisfying watching 165 other competitors coming in behind you.
Posted Tuesday 10.30 p.m 18 -6 -2014
Lots of racing going on with numerous stories of the highs & lows.
Highlight of the weekend with the highest placing at Hedgehog triathlon East Grinstead was our own Comet Callum Ruth in Tristar1 catorgory.
Callum (standing on the podium with his 1st place medal) recorded 7th overall out of 59 competitors and 1st placed male, so very well done.
Kyle Ruth also took part in the same race only in the Tristart cat. Kyle was 7th overall, 7th boy out of an even bigger field of 68. What was most remarkable about his performance is he raced on a mountain bike! If Kyle had been 5 seconds quicker he would have been 3rd! Click here if you want to have a closer look at the results. I couldn't quite work out how they worked it out.
Crystal Palace was the London League venue with Comets and associates of Comets racing.
Tristar 1 saw Spencer Bateman (a regular at the track and racing as a Turbo) coming in 6th overall and 3rd male, top 20% so well done
Tristar 2. We had Comet registered Mack Downey coming in 4th male top 8.6% and 5th overall top top 10.5% out of 52 so a great result
Just in front of Mack was Comet registered (although racing for Turbos) was Mathew O'neil in 4th place, again out of 52.
Tristar 3 Kieran Desmond (Comet registered) 9th overall out of 46 top 19.5%
Siana Dennis, registered as a Comet, 16th overall out of 46 top 35% & 6th female out of 20 top 30%
Bill Downey 19th overall out of 46 top 41% 12th male out of 26. Considering Bill does specific swim training and not much bike or run training this is a very creditable result.
And finally but not least and a true Comet, Alan Dennis in the over 40's cat in the sprint distance was 183rd overall out of 537 in the top 35%. There was too many to count where Alan was in the over 40's!
It was good to see at last we're getting our name on the board and the results page.
Posted Tuessday 9.00 a.m 21 -5 -2014
Hatch End Triathlon, Statistically yours!
Now, I'm a statistics man and even if a junior doesn't come in the top three it's percentage that counts, so here we go:
Tristart Kyle Ruth male position 4th top 50%
overall position 4th top 35%
Tristar 1 Callum Ruth male position 10th top 30%
overall position 14th top 12.5%
Tristar 2 Mack Downey male position 4th top 10%
overall position 4th top 3.75%
Tristar 3 Bill Downey male position 11th top 30%
overall position 14th top 25.5%
Tristar 3 Siana Dennis female position 5th top 19%
overall position 14th top 22%
Every picture doesn't tell a story and there are lots of circumstances of why someone has a good result or not. There's always the next race for them. A few notable statistics: Everybody was in the top half of every field. Notable statistic was from Mack Downey with the equal highest placing but in a much larger field therefore putting him in the top 3.75%. That means 96.25 per cent of the field was behind him!
I'm proud of all the people who are associated with us. Roll on Crystal Palace.
Posted Tuessday 6.30 p.m 13 -5 -2014
The Fullers Towpath 10 And Another First For Comets!
Posted Sunday 1.15 p.m 27 -4 -2014
Alan Dennis & myself did fine and had good races, here's the smiley picture to prove it!From left to right: Head coach Holden, Siana Dennis, Calum Ruth, Niomi Thorpe, (a ringer in the photo, not actually a Comet but I help her with her swimming) Kyle Ruth & Alan Dennis, all proudly showing their spoils except the two mature people acting as bookends! The results were a bit haywire on the day so don't take it as gospel their all correct. Results from Tri247
Comets and the Kingfisher Aquathon
5k benchmark.
A free weekly 5k race in Bushy Park.
All results are posted on the Parkrun website
Once run, that determines any handicap we use for races.