Iron athletes out in force

By Neil Middleton
It was another action packed day down at the K1 Triathlon club in RAF Akrotiri on Sunday July 25 with its latest event doubling up as the Army Championships and drawing in competitors from all over Cyprus.
The Army championships were run over an Olympic distance course and the competitors initially completed the 1500 meter swim in the fresh sea water - surely waking up any one who wasn’t keen on the early start.
Upon exiting the water they went on to complete the 40 kilometre cycle and 10 kilometre run.
 The first member of the Army to cross the finish line was Maj Ben Holmes of HQ BFC in a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes and 38 seconds, astonishingly it is Maj Holmes first season of triathlon which is an advertisement in itself to anyone considering giving triathlon a go for the first time. The first runner up was Cpl Gaz Haithaway who works in the Joint Movements Squadron in RAF Akrotiri, he finished in a time of 2.25.40, with WO2 Dean Smith of the Joint Service Signals Unit from Ay Nik coming third in 2.28.31.
The Olympic distance race itself was won by Lefteris Kampooriandis in a time of 2.17.07, showing he is just as fast in water and on land as he is in his day job as Cabin Crew staff for Cyprus Airways. Maj Ben Holmes then ranked second overall with Klearchos Petkakis a fitness instructor from Limassol, finishing third in 2.21.28. Nicola Whiteman was the first female finisher in 2.24.28.
A Super Sprint triathlon ran alongside the Olympic distance event. It sees competitors complete a 300 metre swim, 15 kilometre cycle and three kilometre run. The first female to finish and first overall was a lady so well known to the sport in Cyprus she has been dubbed the ‘Iron Lady’, Emma Clayton. Emma works as PA to the Station Commander in Episkopi and she finished in 41 minutes 18 seconds. In stark contrast to Emma Clayton, Debbie Wilson, who was the first female runner up in a time of 50.32, was competing in her first triathlon while visiting relatives in Cyprus. Third place went to Lt Lyndsey Fulton, a reservist who is currently deployed with 40 Signals Group on Operation Tosca with the UN in Nicosia.
The first male competitor to finish in a time of 42.44 was Andy Fessy, a teacher at Episkopi Primary School. Not only did he compete and win the super sprint race but he also plays a major part in the organisation and setting up of the monthly events. In second place was WO1 Lee Clarke of Episkopi CCU in a time of 43.07, with Cpl Dave Lemon of Ay Nik Gym coming third in 45.11.
With a small group of dedicated volunteers there are well run, enjoyable and safe events for anyone of any standard to take part in. There are also a number of bikes available for hire but you need to book fast to avoid disappointment. To get in touch with the club, there are Google and Facebook groups on the internet, or just listen out for the next event and drop in, it’s worth a look.