31st May 2025 - Chattanooga, Kansas City & The Outlaw Half

First timers to the 70.3 distance, Lauren and John (husband and wife team) both had a crack at the Chattanooga 70.3. Unfortunately, the swim was cancelled and the race was turned into a bike and run event. Lauren pulled off a 3 hour 19 minute bike and a 2 hour 42 minute run finishing in just under 6 hours 10 minutes and placing 81st in her age group. Laurens words afterwards: “I was really proud of my bike - the fastest I have ever rode!”. John also had a storming bike finishing the 56 mile course in 2 hours 39 minutes and despite severe cramping on the run, he still ran around 2 hours finishing in around 4 hours 40 minutes in total and around 40th in his age group (although due to an Ironman timing issue, he got no official finishing time).

Aaron took part in his very first triathlon – Kansas City Olympic Distance. He was 5th out of the water overall in a cracking time of just over 23 minutes, then cranked out the bike leg in just over 1 hour 24 minutes and finished with a 52 minute run ending up 9th in his age group and 87th overall. This was a steep learning curve for Aaron, but he did great, especially as this race was his warm up for his first 70.3 in a couple of weeks time. Way to go first timers!

And from first timers to old timers, Coach Pat was racing at the Outlaw 70.3. For those that know him, as usual, he was mumbling about lack of training, niggling injuries and a host of other sandbagging comments, but still managed to swim 33 minutes, rode 2 hours 32 minutes and ran just over 1 hour 50 minutes to finish in just over 5 hours – this put Coach Pat 23rd in his age group and 254th overall. Coach Pat was blaming several wee stops for him not dipping under the 5 hour mark, but there’s really no excuse for not breaking 5 hours! Try harder next time Coach Pat.

Next on the cards is Ironman Bolton 70.3 where several PTC athletes will be toeing the line – watch this space to see how we all get on.