By: Liam Russell

Race Date: 22nd Jun 2025

Swim – 750m / Cycle – 22km / Run – 5km

The event is described by Wild Deer (the organisers who also put on the Wentworth Woodhouse and the new Parkwood trail races) as being  ‘perfect for those new to multisport as well as seasoned athletes. The courses are suited to all abilities and with no cut off times, there’s nothing stopping you!’

It was my first open water triathlon since my very long ‘Day in the Lakes’ Middle Distance or Half Iron Triathlon, 4 years ago and a tune-up event for my next one which is on the 19th July – the Steelman. Training for the event has taken priority over just normal running which is the reason why I haven’t been run-leading much from Hillsborough.

The swim:

The swim set off in 3 waves, fastest to slowest to allow people space in the water. My swimming preparation for the Steelman has been better than it has been for my previous events of that distance but all pool based up until Sunday.

I went in the last wave, conscious of the fact that it was my first open water swim for 4 years. I was nervous at first and struggled to get into a rhythm because open water swimming is obviously different to doing lane swimming – think running on a treadmill versus trail running!

Once I gave my head a wobble, I managed to settle into the swim and completed the course in just over 20 minutes.

I just have to do 750m instead of 1.9k in a month’s time.

The bike:

Out of the water, into transition! There is a question most triathletes will be familiar with – socks or no socks? I decided to put on socks after I wrestled myself out of my wetsuit.

Out of transition and off on the ride. The ride takes you on quite scenic roads, through Killamarsh and round Woodhall and back to Rother Valley. It’s quite an undulating route but very rideable and fairly fast.

Fairly early on, I found myself (in my head) racing against a few blokes who had nice triathlon bikes, we swapped places a few times until we hit a slight hill. I then managed to pull ahead and kept ahead. After that, I settled into a steady pace, conscious not to go for it too much.

I ended up doing the route about 3 minutes faster than when I did it on the Duathlon last year – a big tick!

RV distance = 14 mile(ish), Steelman distance = 56 miles

The run:

Dismount at the dismount line, into transition again, rack my bike and then take my helmet off, into my bargain Nike Carbon soled shoes (£50!) and off on the run.

It’s a whole lap of Rother Valley but from the grassy area just up from the Water Activity centre and not the Parkrun start line. I felt strong on the run and overtook more people than overtook me, which is always a plus.

I crossed the line in 25:13 which is only 40 seconds slower than my year’s best parkrun – was it due to the carbons? Or is it because of my training? Or both? It’s probably both to be fair. I finished strong and felt fresh at the end.

RV distance = 5k, Steelman distance = 13.1 mile.

Now onto RSR on Sunday – counting it is a long training run, 2 more long rides on the bike and then time to taper before the big one!

Wish me luck.

The race was won by Elliot Roberts-Cutts (Yorkshire Triathlon Academy) in 01:08:43 and Emily Barnett (of no identified club) in 01:18:30 .

Strider’s Result: