Grice Takes Bexhill Triathlon In Her Stride

By Liz King

The Team Lifestyle Bexhill Triathlon saw over 200 triathletes converge on a wet and windy Bexhill promande on Sunday 22^nd August.

The event run by Team Lifestyle consisited of a 500m sea swim in very choppy conditions followed by 25km bike ride and 5km run to test the athletes’ legs.

With Eastbourne-based pro triathlete Yvette Grice tipped for an easy win after coming into the race from her fantastic win at Ironman UK earlier in the month, it wasn’t long until Grice left her rivals in her wake.

Grice, racing for Bodyworks XTC, was first out of the swim and continued in that position for the whole of the event and finished in an impressive 1.13.01. Her nearest rival Susie Casebourne, Team Lifestyle was close on Grice’s heels with 1.14.56. Third position went to Emma Richards in 1.16.50.

The men’s race was fought out between the young guns with the first three triathletes to finish all under 19 years old they were incredible and names to put in your diaries for 2012 as these boys are flying.

Again Eastbourne based club Bodyworks XTC came out on top with Olympic hopeful Barney Reed finishing in 1.04.49. Closely followed by Loughborough triathlete James Gibson in 01.05.52. Third place went to Patrick Hough, completing a great day for Bodyworks XTC in 1.07.15.

Triathlon races are open to all age groups and this event was a perfect example of how a race should be run with faultless organisation from Team Lifestyle headed up by Paul Holdaway. Helen James racing in age group 75-79 was the oldest competitor in the field and posted a great bike split of 1.17.58 to finish in 2.33.28.