More than 100 competitors battled it out in the Island’s first ever off-road triathlon on Sunday October 26. The Granite Mann event – organised by The Children’s Centre and sponsored by PwC, one of the leading firms of chartered accountants on the Island – featured more than 50 individual competitors and 30 teams. It began with a 400metre swim in the chilly waters of Cringle Reservoir, the first time a competitive swimming event has been held in the reservoir. The triathletes then tackled a 10km mountain bike ride along fantastic trails through Cringle Plantation, and a 5km run along plantation tracks.
There were prizes for the fastest male and female competitors, Joseph Riciardi won the men’s event in 1:16:24, and Nikki Sharpe won the women’s race in 1:46:35. The team prize went to Two & a Half Men which comprised Graham Annett, Ian Brookfield & Paul Renshaw who finished in a time of 1:06:58.
The event was organised by The Children’s Centre and raised over ?4,000 for its charitable projects Mobex, Out2Play, Child Contact Centre, Community Development and the Community Farm which all help families and children across the Island. Lisa Motley, Endurance Events Fundraiser at The Children’s Centre, said:
“Granite Mann is a brand new event and we’re delighted with the response from competitors. It was fully subscribed and the enthusiasm of everyone who took part gives us a tremendous confidence boost for Granite Mann’s future. We’re already looking at developing the event further next year. We were extremely grateful to everyone who took part in the inaugural event, and to Manx Utilities and DEFA for permission to use Cringle Plantation and the reservoir which provided a fantastic location. We would also like to say a big thank you to PwC for sponsoring the event, the Bikestyle cycle shop for providing technical support on the day, Willie Corkill for his knowledge, expertise and time in setting the mountain bike course, all the marshals and helpers and Manx Timing Solutions for their timing and results service.”
Nikki Sharpe, winner of the ladies solo event, added:
“This was my first triathlon and I have to admit the hardest thing I have ever done. What a huge honour to be the first ever Granite Mann Ladies Winner. Congratulations to Lisa and all at The Children’s Centre for an incredible event.”
Full Granite Mann results can be found at www.manxtimingsolutions.com.
Photo - Two & a Half Men (Left to right)- Graham Annett, Ian Brookflied, Paul Renshaw
