More than 100 competitors battled it out at Cringle Plantation and reservoir in an off-road triathlon to raise funds for The Children’s Centre on Sunday [September 27]. The GraniteMann Triathlon – organised by the charity and sponsored by PwC – began with a 400metre swim in the chilly waters of Cringle Reservoir, followed by a 10km mountain bike ride along trails through Cringle Plantation, and a 5km run along plantation tracks.

Joseph Ricciardi – the 2014 overall winner – retained his title finishing in 1h 15m 04s. Second man across the line was Ryan Downey (1h 15m 39s), and third was David Griffin (1h 21m 35s). Lisa Dunwell won the women’s race in 1h 38m 36s. Second was Jo Hawkins (1h 42m 18s), and third Louise Wilson (1h 50m 06s).

The triathlon was open to all abilities and those taking part could compete as individuals or as part of a team of up to three competitors. In the team event, each member of a team of three completed one of the three legs of the triathlon – for teams of two, one competitor had to complete two of the three legs. A total of 38 teams took part and there was a tie for first place between ‘3 Men & A Dog’ (Graham Annett, Paul Kneen and Tom Cringle) and ‘Now, Then and Maybe’ (Brody Hewison, Nick Corlett and Becky Storrie). Third place went ‘3 Fast 3 Furious’ (Harriet Phillips, Brendan Downey and Rob Brockbanks) and in fourth were ‘Red Watch’ (Gareth Gawne, Gary Kirby and Chris Wolfendale). ‘3 Fast 3 Furious’ also won the mixed team event, and ‘Right Direction’ (Silla Parnell, Nikki Sharp, and Becky Miller) won the women’s team prize.

The event raised more than ?3,700 for The Children’s Centre’s charitable projects which help families and children across the Island. Lisa Motley, the charity’s Endurance Events Fundraiser, said: “This was the second year we have staged the GraniteMann Triathlon, and once again it proved to be great fun, but with some serious competition. Even the weather was perfect and, combined with a fantastic location, provided ideal conditions for a triathlon. We must say a massive thank you to PwC for sponsoring the event for a second year – without such support it just wouldn’t be possible for us to stage events like this. Thanks also to the Bikestyle cycle shop for providing mechanical support for all competitors at the start of the event, and donated prizes; Asia Fresh for donating prizes; and Manx Utilities and DEFA for permission to use Cringle Plantation and the reservoir. Last, but by no means least, thanks to all of the marshals and helpers, and Manx Timing Solutions for their timing and results service.”

Full GraniteMann Triathlon results can be found at www.manxtimingsolutions.com. 

Photo - Joseph Ricciardi on his way to victory in the 2015 GraniteMann Triathlon. Photo by David Salter.