BTC Race Report – Wilmslow and Chester Metric Marathon Weekend

Despite facing the lingering effects of Storm Amy, BTC athletes participated across a variety of events this past weekend, taking on tough conditions with strong winds and heavy rain.

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️ Wilmslow Sprint Triathlon

In classic British fashion, the weather didn’t hold back – but neither did our BTC triathletes.

• Dominic Bond had a storming race, finishing 18th overall, navigating the slick roads and tough headwinds with confidence.
• Steve Spammer put in a solid performance, coming 73rd overall and 67th in his age group.

🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️ Wilmslow Aquabike

A massive shoutout to Amanda Williams, who powered through the course to take:

• 4th overall
• 3rd female
• 1st in her age category

🏊‍♀️🏃‍♀️ Wilmslow Aquathlon

Taking on her first-ever multisport event, Sophie Owen made a fantastic debut in the aquathlon. Despite the rain and wind, she held her nerve and delivered a strong performance, finishing:

• 12th female overall
• 8th in her age group

Congratulations, Sophie – a brilliant start to your multi-sport journey. We can’t wait to see what’s next!

🏃‍♂️ Chester Metric Marathon

Over in the historic city of Chester, Paul Davison took on the 26.2km Metric Marathon – his first visit back since attending law school. Paul had a fantastic race and enjoyed the opportunity to soak up the city’s atmosphere, finishing strong on the challenging, undulating course. A special run in a special place – well done, Paul!

27.09.2025

🏆 British National Downhill MTB Podium! 🚵‍♂️🚵‍♀️

It might not have been a triathlon this weekend, but two of our Tri Club members were flying the flag in a different discipline!

Lucas and Ruby both competed at the final round of the British National Downhill MTB Series at Revolution Bike Park.

Lucas has raced all five rounds of the series this year and capped off an incredible season by finishing 1st overall in the Senior category! 🥇

It was also a big milestone for Ruby — she took on her first-ever national race and finished an impressive 4th overall on the day! 🙌

All that swim, bike, and run training at Tri Club clearly pays off — the fitness and stamina built in those sessions are helping our athletes perform across all kinds of sports.

Well done, Lucas and Ruby,  amazing achievements!

21.09.2025 

🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️ Race Report: Jane Jackson – Ironman 70.3 Emilia-Romagna 🇮🇹
21st September 2025

Huge congratulations to Jane Jackson, who completed her very first Ironman 70.3 in the stunning Emilia-Romagna region of Italy this weekend! 🌟

Jane has shown incredible dedication throughout the year, putting in the hard, consistent training across swim, bike, and run. Her commitment paid off as she crossed the finish line in 7 hours, 28 minutes, and 24 seconds!

Not only was this a personal milestone, but also an unforgettable experience in one of Italy’s most picturesque regions. From the crystal-clear swim to the scenic bike course and supportive crowd on the run, Jane took it all in with a smile (and serious grit!).

Well done, Jane — we’re all super proud of you! 🙌👏
Here’s to many more triathlon adventures ahead! 🏅💪

21.09.2025 

🏊🚴🏃The North West Junior Series wraps Up 🏊🚴🏃

21.09.2025 

🏊🚴🏃 Fleetwood Triathlon – Another Strong Club Turnout 🎉

It was another brilliant day of racing for BTC at the Fleetwood Triathlon, with fantastic performances from both our juniors and adults across the field. 🌟

👧 Junior Races 

• TriStart: Katie Duddridge and Jaxson Kirkman both had strong races, finishing 5️⃣ and 6️⃣ in their categories respectively.

• TriStar 1: Bella Ablard and Iona Deveney both represented the club well with determined performances 💪.

• TriStar 3: Thea Hyland showed great resilience to claim 🥉 3rd place, despite a mix-up in transition when another competitor mistakenly took her race number 😅. Toby Sachro impressed with a 5️⃣th place finish, while Harry Duddridge battled hard for 12️⃣th.

• Youth: Alan Paul Walsh powered through the field to take 🥇 1st place in his category – a fantastic result! 🚀

🧑‍🦱 Adult Races

• Relay:
• Joanne Duddridge, Amanda Williams, and Beth Hyland teamed up for the relay and stormed to 🥇 1st place overall – an amazing effort from the trio! 👏

• Individual Sprint:

• • Claire Burns was the first BTC athlete across the line, finishing 🥇 1st FV40 and 4️⃣th female overall. Hot on her heels, Karl Norman took 5️⃣th MV40, showing real strength on the course. Ella Carter followed closely behind, securing 🥇 1st FV30 and also 5th female overall – taking her to the top of the club Grand Prix!
  • Liz Dawson impressed with 🥈 2nd FV60, closely pursued by Stuart Carter who was 9th MV60 in a competitive age group Category. Nina Carter battled hard for 🥉 3rd U30.
  • Strong performances too from Phil Hyland and Amy Kirkman, both new to triathlon but already showing great promise 🚴‍♂️🏊‍♀️🏃

👏 Huge congratulations to all our athletes – juniors and adults alike 💙

20.09.2025 

Ironman Italy – Emilia Romagna 2025
20th September 2025

This past Saturday saw two of our seasoned long-distance athletes, Stephen Lloyd and Laurence Jackson, take on the full Ironman distance at Ironman Italy Emilia Romagna.

Both Stephen and Laurence are no strangers to the 140.6 miles of racing, and once again they delivered strong and determined performances on the international stage.

• Stephen Lloyd completed the course in an impressive 10:35:48, showcasing his consistency and endurance across all three disciplines.

• Laurence Jackson followed with a superb finish of 12:27:39, proving his grit and experience over the challenging distance.

Congratulations to both athletes for representing the club with such outstanding efforts and continuing to inspire us all!

10.09.2025 

A Busy Weekend of Racing 🎽 🏁 🥇 🏆 🎉

It was a packed weekend of competition for club athletes, with strong performances across triathlon and road running.

At the Bala Triathlon, Dom battled through stormy conditions to secure 29th place overall, a strong finish in testing weather.

Meanwhile, Karl Norman and Tom Mitchell completed the iconic Helvellyn Triathlon, widely regarded as one of the UK’s toughest. The race features a one-mile swim across Ullswater, a 38-mile cycle including the gruelling ascent of “The Struggle” on Kirkstone Pass, and a nine-mile fell run to the summit of Helvellyn before descending back to Glenridding. With many athletes unable to finish this year, Karl’s achievement stands out as a remarkable display of endurance.

Closer to home, runners turned out for the Bury BID 10k. Representing the club were Claire Burns, Rachael Massy, Nicola Stephenson, Dean Jackson, and Tristan Sherwin. Tristan also completed the race in support of Trust House Bury, raising awareness for the local charity.

03.09.2025 

Andrew Patterson Takes on 232-Mile Ride for Railway Children

This September, Andrew Patterson completed a 232-mile cycling challenge from Liverpool to Darlington to raise funds for Railway Children, a charity that supports vulnerable young people at risk on the streets.

The three-day route tested both endurance and determination. Day one covered 73.4 miles from Liverpool to Huddersfield, followed by 91 miles to Scarborough on day two. The final leg stretched 67.1 miles to Darlington, completing the journey.

Railway Children works across the UK, India, and East Africa to provide safe shelter, education, mental health support, and long-term care for children facing danger in unsafe environments.

Patterson set out with a fundraising goal of £350, urging supporters to donate, share his story, and follow the charity’s campaign. Donations can be made via his fundraising page: railwaychildren.enthuse.com/pf/andrew-patterson.

31.08.2025 

Manchester 100 Bike Ride 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️

Bolton Tri Club were out in force at this year’s Manchester 100, taking on both the 100km and 100-mile routes.

BTC Riders:

100km

• Jane Jackson

• Stuart Sheard-Pearce

• Elaine Holmes

• Stuart Carter

100 miles

• Laurence Jackson

• Andy Patterson

• Stephen Lloyd

The ride delivered everything you want from a big sportive: great organisation, well-signed routes, plenty of feed stations, and flat, fast roads. The only downside? A fair share of potholes to keep everyone alert!

A brilliant day of cycling and a strong showing from BTC – well done to all who took part! 👏

30.08.2025 

Manchester Junior Triathlon – Rain, Grit & Junior Spirit!

What a day at the Manchester Junior Triathlon—wet, chilly, and nothing but grit from our young racers. Photos were scarce (nobody was hanging around in that weather!) but the performances sure spoke volumes.

24.08.2025 

West Lancs Summer Triathlon – A BTC Favourite!

The West Lancs Summer Triathlon once again proved why it’s a firm favourite on the calendar, with a brilliant turnout from Bolton Tri Club. A mix of sunshine, support crews, and determined athletes made for another cracking day of racing.

BTC Results:

• Stephen Lloyd – 01:07:04 (7:39 swim | 1:54 T1 | 37:00 bike | 1:05 T2 | 19:25 run)
  → 10th overall and 1st in V50 category 🎉

• Lauren Fry – 01:14:56 (6:37 swim | 2:31 T1 | 43:33 bike | 1:28 T2 | 20:46 run)
  → 9th in her age category on her return to short-course racing 👏

• Peter Fry – 01:16:17 (7:28 swim | 3:06 T1 | 39:11 bike | 1:58 T2 | 24:33 run)

• Liz Dawson – 01:25:35 (7:18 swim | 2:50 T1 | 45:23 bike | 2:05 T2 | 27:57 run)
  → 1st in V60 category 🏆

• Will Thomas – 01:34:04 (9:20 swim | 3:08 T1 | 46:59 bike | 1:41 T2 | 32:54 run)

• Louise Jones – 01:34:32 (9:04 swim | 2:23 T1 | 54:32 bike | 1:33 T2 | 26:58 run)

• Amy Kirkman – 01:35:21 (9:18 swim | 3:30 T1 | 55:18 bike | 1:04 T2 | 26:09 run)

• Phil Hyland – 01:40:19 (10:30 swim | 3:43 T1 | 54:17 bike | 1:56 T2 | 29:52 run)

Some brilliant performances all round, with podium finishes for Stephen Lloyd (V50 winner) and Liz Dawson (V60 winner) – huge congratulations to both! 🎉

And let’s not forget Lauren Fry’s return to short-course racing, securing 9th in her age category, and Phil Hyland’s first ever triathlon, completed in style. Rumour has it Phil’s already browsing for a shiny new bike and has Bolton 2026 in his sights…

A huge thank you to our BTC supporters on the day: Tara, Jax, Toby, Thea, Beth, and of course, the club’s youngest (and cutest!) cheerleader, baby Jaxon.

Well done everyone – another brilliant day out for Bolton Tri Club. 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️

17.08.2025 

🚴‍♂️🏊‍♂️🏃‍♂️ From IronKid to IronMan!

Huge congratulations to Ben Clarke-Davison on completing Ironman Copenhagen – his debut over the full distance! 💪

Ben delivered a strong all-round performance:
🌊 Swim – an outstanding 1:02:03
🚴 Bike – battled through in 6:52:35
🏃 Run – pushed on despite cramp and stomach issues to finish in 5:11:23

That gave him an overall time of 13:21:22 – an incredible achievement for a first Ironman! 👏🔥

🚴‍♂️ Chapeau to Our Tour de Mons Finishers! 🚴‍♀️

Huge congratulations to Dave Ringwood, Jon Hicklin, and Liz Dawson, who conquered the gruelling Tour de Mons sportive yesterday.

Jon and Dave took on the Mawr — a challenging and scenic 106-mile route around the stunning but unforgiving Anglesey coast. With gradients peaking at a lung-busting 30%, this ride is no easy feat. John and Dave powered through the course in just under 8 and half sours, showing incredible endurance and grit.

Liz Dawson, tackled the demanding Canol course with trademark determination, finishing in 6:31:08. Massive respect to all three athletes for taking on such a tough event!

👏💪 Well done, team — inspiring stuff as always!

10.08.2025

💪🌊 Strong Performances from Club Vets at Epic Swim Windermere 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️

It was a great day out for our over-60 veterans at the Epic Swim Windermere on Sunday, with impressive results across the board and stunning views from the new start location at Ambleside.

Liz Dawson took on the 5km swim as part of her build-up to the 11-mile Windermere End-to-End challenge on 6th September. Liz delivered a fantastic performance, finishing 2nd in her age group with a time of 1:25:58, and placing 8th woman overall – a strong sign she’s on track for her big event.

In the 3km event, Sheila Carter swam her way to 3rd in her age group in 1:05:44, finishing as 23rd woman overall. Despite a solid swim, Sheila claims she could have been quicker – if only the swim hats had stayed on!

Stuart Carter also took on the 3km and put in a great performance, coming 4th in his age group and finishing 15th male overall in 1:03:10.

Well done to all three athletes for representing the club so strongly – and proving once again that age is no barrier to epic achievements!

02.08.2025

🏊‍♂️ 🏊‍♀️ 🌊 Strong Results for BTC Swimmers at Sale Water Park Swim Festival🩱 🏖️ ☀️

BTC swimmers put in a fantastic performance at the Sale Water Park Swim Festival yesterday, with several standout results across the open water events.

• Matthew Harrop claimed 2nd place in the Men’s Wetsuit 3.8k category, finishing with an impressive time of 1:00:38.

• Nina Carter also took 2nd place in the Women’s Wetsuit 3.8k, clocking a strong 1:13:03, and was delighted with her result.

• In the Men’s Wetsuit 1.5k, Conor Wilkinson stormed to 1st place, finishing in a swift 26:03.

• Ella Rowan Carter bravely took on the 5k distance for the first time. Despite feeling seasick halfway through, she pushed through to finish in 1:26:39, earning 3rd place in the Women’s Wetsuit category.

There was some fierce competition from non-wetsuit swimmers as well, with several quick times posted across the board.

Well done to all BTC participants for representing the club so strongly!

27.07.2025

A Busy Weekend of Racing: BTCers Shine at Inaugural Ironman Leeds and Beyond

What a weekend it’s been for racing—and especially for our incredible BTC athletes who were out in force across multiple events with some remarkable performances!

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♂️ Ironman Leeds – Inaugural Edition

Five BTCers took on the inaugural Ironman Leeds, tackling a challenging and hilly course with strength and determination.

• Lauren Fry led the way for our women, finishing in an impressive 13:35:10 for an Ironman PB—a brilliant performance on a tough course.
• Among the men, Stephen Lloyd was our first finisher with a superb 11:50:43—an excellent time on debut terrain.
• He was closely followed by Jack Harper, who delivered a strong and steady race.
• Sam Lyons made his Ironman debut in style, going sub-13 and proudly ringing the First-Time Ironman Bell—a massive milestone and one to remember!
• Peter Fry rounded out our team, putting in a fantastic effort.

To top it off, some of our members were lucky enough to meet Sam Laidlow, the 2023 Ironman World Champion—what an inspirational moment!

🚴‍♀️🏊‍♀️ Outlaw Aquabike – John Dover Flying the Flag

John Dover represented BTC at the Outlaw Aquabike, delivering an outstanding performance to finish 2nd in his age category. Brilliant racing, John!

🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️ Salford Triathlon – Grand Prix Action Heats Up

Salford Triathlon was this month’s BTC Grand Prix race, and we had a fantastic turnout from our members—this series is really starting to heat up!

• Stacie Lythgo-King and Will Thomas took on the sprint distance, both putting in strong efforts and enjoying the race-day buzz.
• Louise Jones completed the standard distance triathlon with great form and determination.
• A special shout-out to Ella Rowan, who stormed to 1st overall in the standard distance aquabike! We all know what an amazing swimmer Ella is, and it’s clear those hours on the bike are starting to pay off. Fantastic racing!

Huge congratulations to everyone who raced this weekend—you continue to make the BTC community proud!

20.07.2025 – UCLAN Duathlon

🏁 UCLan Duathlon Success! 🏆

What a fantastic day of racing at the UCLan Duathlon! Our juniors were out in force and did the club proud with strong performances across the board. It’s always great to see their hard work and training paying off in competition.

In the adult sprint, Stephen Lloyd was the overall winner – a phenomenal achievement and a testament to his dedication and talent. Congratulations, Steven!

A special shoutout goes to Ruby and Paula Pilling, who both won their age groups in outstanding fashion! Their determination, focus, and team spirit truly stood out – brilliant performances from both athletes.

We’re incredibly proud of all our junior competitors who showed great energy, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the day. These events are a great way to gain experience and build confidence, and it’s clear our young athletes are growing stronger with each race.

Well done to everyone who took part, and thank you to the organisers, marshals, and parents for making it all possible.

Go team! 💪

🌟 Rising Star: Jessica Taylor Shines in British Triathlon NW 🌊🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️

In June BTC member Jessica featured as British Triathlon’s NW rising star.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate one of our very own – Jessica Taylor – who is making waves on the British Triathlon North West scene as a rising star in the sport.

Jessica’s journey began right here at Bolton Triathlon Club, where she trained as a junior and quickly stood out for her determination, athleticism, and love for triathlon. From her early days on the pool deck and running track to today’s podium finishes, Jessica has shown unwavering commitment and a passion that continues to inspire athletes across the region.

Now competing at a high level across the British Triathlon Super Series for Youth and Junior Triathletes, Jessica has become a name to watch. Her recent performances have earned her well-deserved recognition, and she continues to represent Bolton with pride, energy, and sportsmanship. Another rising star from BTC is Emily Hyder who also competes in the Super Series and trains with Jessica as part of the NW Academy for young talented triathletes. Emily recently took a fantastic second place in the 2025 Deva Divas Sprint Triathlon

Bolton Triathlon Club has always believed in nurturing young talent, and the progress of Jessica and Emily is a shining example of where dedication, support, and community spirit can lead. We’re thrilled to see their successes and can’t wait to watch their futures unfold as they climb the triathlon ranks.

Well done, Jessica and Emily – your Bolton Triathlon Club family is behind you all the way!

Click here to read the British Triathlon NW article

12th July – 🔥 Ripon Triathlon – Juniors Take the Spotlight! 🔥

Another brilliant weekend of racing – this time at the Ripon Triathlon, where our juniors absolutely stole the show! With grit, speed, and smiles all round, they put in some seriously impressive performances 💨

From start to finish, our young triathletes showed off everything we love about the sport – determination, teamwork, and sheer joy. Whether it was a first-timer crossing the finish line or a seasoned junior smashing a PB, every performance made us proud.

To top it all off, some of our juniors even got the chance to meet triathlon legends Alistair and Jonny Brownlee! An unforgettable moment that added even more inspiration to an already incredible day. Safe to say, a few dreams were made right there. ⭐️

It’s safe to say the future of the club is looking very bright. The effort and attitude on display were top-tier 😉

A massive well done to all who raced, and as always, a big thank you to the parents, volunteers, and organisers for their tireless support.

Keep training, keep smiling, and we’ll see you at the next one!

💪 BTC Women Shine at Deva Divas Triathlon 2025 🌊🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️

It was a fantastic day of racing in Chester yesterday as the BTC Women made a powerful impression at the ever-popular Deva Divas Triathlon — a welcoming, women-only event that attracted 177 athletes this year.

From the first splash in the River Dee, the action was on! Olivia Limbert led out of the water, but hot on her heels just 23 seconds later were our own Ella Carter and Emily Hyder, kicking off what would become a thrilling race to the finish.

By the end of the bike leg, Ella Rowan Carter had stormed ahead with a 3-minute lead. But in a dramatic final run lap, Olivia reclaimed the lead, with Emily pushing hard to overtake into second place, and Ella securing third — a double podium for BTC!

👏 Final podium:
🥇 1st – Olivia Limbert
🥈 2nd – Emily Hyder (BTC)
🥉 3rd – Ella Carter (BTC)

🏅 Claire Burns finished a superb 7th overall and was 1st in her age category.
🏅 Nina Carter placed 30th overall, achieving 4th in her age group.
🏅 Liz Dawson took 2nd in her age group in the Quadrathlon (a brilliant mix of swim, bike, run & kayak!).
🏅 Cheryl West crossed the line in 146th place, showing incredible progress by improving on her times from last year in all three disciplines — an amazing personal achievement!

This event is truly for everyone — from seasoned racers to those just starting out. The friendly, supportive atmosphere makes it a great race for triathletes of all abilities.

So, BTC women… how about giving it a go next year? 💙💛
You never know — you might just love it.

3rd July 2025🏅 Junior Aquathlon at Sharples School – A Splashing Success! 🏃‍♂️💦

This week, our club proudly hosted a Junior Aquathlon at Sharples School, giving our young athletes the perfect chance to practice their racing and transition skills in a fun, supportive environment.

The event was all about building confidence, learning through experience, and most importantly — having fun! From the swim to the run, every junior gave it their all, showing determination, teamwork, and fantastic sportsmanship throughout.

To celebrate their achievements, every participant was awarded a medal and a sweet cone, a small treat for a big effort! 🎉

A huge well done to all our juniors — you made us proud! And thank you to all the volunteers and supporters who helped make this event possible.