Essex-based competitors bagged the main titles and recorded record times at the fourth annual Essex & Suffolk Water organised Triathlon for WaterAid held at Hanningfield Reservoir.
(L to R: Swimmers ready to start in Hanningfield Reservoir, Colin Lewin crosses the finish line, cyclists competing around Hannignfield Reservoir, Colin Lewin and David Pennington, swimmers in Hanningfield Reservoir and Emma Stevens crosses the finish line).
The event raised more than £8,500 for WaterAid’s vital work helping to bring clean drinking water, safe sanitation and hygiene education to people around the world.
Colin Lewin, 50, from Hatfield Peverel, finished first in the Olympic-distance with a time of 1 hour 58 minutes and 8 seconds and David Pennington, 29, from Hullbridge took first place in the Sprint distance with a time of 1 hour 10 minutes and 35 seconds. Lewin’s time was nearly 9 minutes faster than last year’s winner.
Emma Stevens, 27, from Little Waltham, was the first lady back in the Olympic distance event and Anna Mills was first back for the Sprint distance race. Stevens was nearly 8 minutes faster than the previous winner for her category in 2016.
Event organiser and Essex & Suffolk Water’s Performance and Process Support Manager, Craig Holliday said: “The support for WaterAid means that the charity will be able to continue working with those communities around the world that don’t have access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
“The event at Hanningfield Reservoir has really taken-off and I’d like to thank all of the volunteers from Essex & Suffolk Water and the Blackwater Tri Club for their help and support in making this a safe and fun event for the people taking part,” he said.
The cycling and running routes took in the scenic surroundings of the countryside around the Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre and Essex & Suffolk Water’s Cafe on the Water.
Whilst the swim was a challenging open water course in the actual reservoir – the only time this is allowed due to safety considerations.
Conditions were ideal for triathletes to post fast times on Saturday 20 May 2017 on the course around Essex & Suffolk Water’s Hanningfield Reservoir and the winners were:
Olympic Distance (1500m swim, 36km bike, 10km run)
Male 1: Colin Lewin overall time of 1:58:08
Female 1: Emma Stevens overall time of 2:16:14
Sprint Distance (750m swim, 24km bike, 5km run)
Male 1: David Pennington overall time of 1:10:35
Female 1: Anna Mills overall time of 1:27:12
Swimming in Hanningfield Reservoir can be dangerous and is not permitted, except under careful supervision at events.
For more information about safety by reservoirs please visit Essex & Suffolk Water’s website: https://www.eswater.co.uk/your-home/learn-about-water/water-safety.aspx.