TWO thousand athletes from across Europe, including five from Halesowen Triathlon Club, descended on Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire for the Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire; a middle distance race on what turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year.

Starting with a surprisingly tropical 1900m open water swim at Chasewater, Pete Staniland took the quickest time for the club completing in 33.27. Staniland was followed in quick succession by Tom Lynott (35.21) and Christian Ward (35.49).

Aaron Humphires wasn’t far behind, completing his swim in a cool 38.50 whilst Tom Madders emerged from the water exactly one minute later completing his swim in 39.50.

Moving swiftly on, the athletes were soon through transition one and out on the bike course; taking in the closed roads of Staffordshire for 56 miles. With temperatures rising Humphries took the fastest time for the club; powering round in 2.40.32 while Staniland took the route in his stride with a bike split of 2.41.40. Feeling the heat, Lynott posted a steady 3.16.9, followed by Ward in 3.26.46 and Madders in 3.36.44.

With the sun blazing down the 13 mile run around Shugborough Estate was no easy feat. Staniland was first over the finish line for the club, clocking a time of 1.41.24.

Hot on his heels Humphries kept the pressure on completing in 1.39.01, narrowly missing out on overhauling Staniland who set an impressive completion time of 5.04.14 taking 98th place overall, whilst Humphries clocked in at 5.06.11.

Meanwhile, the heat was really taking its toll. Not ones to give up Lynott was next home in 2.30.35 giving a total time of 6.37.30, followed by Ward who powered across the finish line in 2.26.30 with a course completion time of 6.48.25 and Madders who completed the agonisingly hot run in 2.31.04 giving him a course completion time of 7.01.57.

Elsewhere, Leanne Parry proudly competed in club colours, taking on the Windsor Standard Distance Triathlon in 2.58.50.