Triathlon
Golden display at the Palace

MEGAN MCDONALD enhanced her growing reputation by lifting the British Youth Triathlon Championship title at Blenheim Palace.

The talented Cubbington youngster, who had captured silver medals in both the British Duatholon and Aquathlon Championships earlier in the season, produced a polished performance to go one better.

The 400m metre swim in Blenheim’s lake saw McDonald post a respectable time and exit the water in 5th place.

From the lake to transition the athletes negotiated a steep 400 metre run that undoubtedly tested many of the athletes.

A very slick transition saw McDonald exit the picturesque palace gates in 3rd place on to the bike.

With a 13.2K bike leg ahead, McDonald soon moved into the lead and began to break away.

After one lap of the course working alone, McDonald had opened up a one minute lead from a chasing pack of six riders that she held over the second lap of the blustery Blenheim grounds to enter the second transition with a 65 second lead.

Another faultless transition was achieved onto the 3k run but McDonald knew that victory was far from secure with national runners such as Bronwen Owen and team-mate Sian Rainsley in the chasing group.

McDonald summoned up one of her best runs of the year to hold off an ever closing Owen and take victory in 45-39 and the British Youth Championship gold medal.

Owen finished runner-up in 45-45 and Rainsley was third in 46-51

McDonald’s successes this season are largely due to a marked improvement in techniques greatly helped by the dedication of coaches from Leamington Amateur Swimming Club and Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club.

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