Bayside Sea Triathlon 2nd June 2004 Race Report – Mary Cooper
5 June 2024
After not being able to take part in Arundel Tri due to family emergency, and Chi Tri sadly being cancelled, I decided I needed a dose of racing to make up for these losses. Bayside Tri is run by the local club in Gosport (only half hour drive for me) and was a sea swim. I found out previously it was run as a go-Tri but this year they made it an open event. As such it was extremely friendly and very well run by triathletes, encouraging other triathletes to take on a sea swim. About 1/3 were newbies, and quite nervous.
5 am start with porridge and no husband to load the bikes as he was heading in opposite direction to Worthing kids duathlon to sell coffee. However I did have the lovely smiley Mikey Pearce racing with me instead.
The venue was brilliant and views across flat Solent to Cowes just gorgeous. Wave starts for 400m swim with current then into transition. . . Onto the bike which was 27km flattish course with multiple traffic lights and 2 diversions for road closures / but was same for everyone. I proceeded to come out swim about half way through my wave and overtook about 6 with a quick transition. I then over took a few more on the fast bike section, getting back with only a few bikes already back.
Mikey was in second wave and as I ran out, he was riding into transition. So I did what I could to stay ahead. Picturesque run up and down the seafront. He caught me with about 1km to go, and was really encouraging, telling me to keep going as I was First Lady! I held on for my fastest 5 km for years , finishing a good 2 mins ahead of next lady. Mikey clearly inspired by trying to overtake me, won his AG and was 5th overall.
This is a great little chilled race, with great intro to sea swimming for those who haven’t done one before. (And a bargain at £35!!) The organisers were keen to spread the word. There was also a tea/coffee along with bacon butty or veg alternative provided in with race fee too! They said nearly all their members marshalled and they were then heading out on ride after as all done by 9.30! Maybe what we need to do at Chi next year . . .
