Local News

Making Smoking History came up trumps at the Redcar Sprint Triathlon as their distinctive yellow T-shirts were worn by some of the region’s best Triathletes.

Twenty free places were on offer for the event, which featured a 750m swim in the North Sea, a 20K bike ride – with riders no doubt aided by a helpful tailwind down the esplanade – as well as a 5K run around the Boating Lake.

With more than 100 competitors taking on the course, competition was always going to be fierce, but in the end it was Guisborough’s Paul Brown who came out on top completing the Tri in just over an hour.

His time of 1:07.07 was only one minute ahead of near rival Stefan McLoughlin, who actually came out the water 30 seconds ahead of Brown but lost time when back on dry land.

Congratulations also go to Susan Brown who represents Great Britain at European and World Triathlon Championship events. She finished in overall first place in the Women’s category with a storming time of 1:14.04 – an incredible four minutes ahead of her nearest rivals.

For Paul, victory was made even sweeter as he was competing for Making Smoking History, with the father of two admitting he is always telling his friends to stop smoking.

He said: “I applied through the council to get a free place through Making Smoking History because it is a really worthwhile cause. I try to whinge at people to stop smoking all the time and it is something that I really believe in.”

Paul was also full of praise for the event itself, centred around Tuned In! for the first time, adding: “The course is great, I always like the Redcar Triathlon because it is really a spectator-friendly course and there is something for everybody. 

“The swimming is great and the biking along the promenade is fantastic with all the spectators cheering you on. My wife and two children were there, and with the six laps of the cycle course there is support all the way along so that really motivates you.

“The facilities we have here is great, and the TunedIn! centre is really fantastic and it is just a really well organised and well run event.”

Councillor Carl Quartermain, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills, and Leisure, said: “I have to offer big congratulations to Paul for his stunning race; I think there are a lot of us who couldn’t do what he does so successfully week-in week-out!

“Everyone at the council is also very pleased that he could win while promoting the Making Smoking History campaign. It is a very worthwhile cause, and we hope that Paul’s inspired performance can inspire residents across the borough to stop smoking.”

For more information on stopping smoking go to: http://southtees.nhs.uk/services/health-wellbeing/stop-smoking/.

If you want to see the full results of the Redcar Sprint Triathlon, visit: http://www.trihard.co.uk/redcar-triathlon.