Metters claims Riyadh Triathletes 2nd triathlon

The end of May brought the Riyadh Triathletes second triathlon of the season which took place over the increased distances of 600m swimming, 20km biking and 4km running.
The athletes gathered early on Friday last week at Ishbillia Compound where the first very hot race of the season put them to a real test. The club racers were also lucky to be able to test their mettle against ex-international triathlete Jason Metters, winner of over 45 international triathlons in 20 different countries.
The race started with three heats in the swimming, with no surprises in the first and second heats, it was Matters in the third heat that stopped the clock with a stunning mark below 8 minutes (7’48”) to lead race to the biking stretch.
Martin Ball and Kate Scott were in second and third position in the swimming with 9:09 and 9:12 respectively. Sean Ellis and Charles Brown completed the top five out of the water.
After a fast transition, the leading group of athletes jumped onto their bikes for the biking course. With 10 laps ahead and an extremely technical circuit requiring focus and speed the participants’ bike handling skills were put to test.
J Metters started strong, lapping any athlete in front in him, trying make sure of his lead in order to have a comfortable run afterwards. Ball had other ideas and was pushing himself hard to recover lost time. He finished with the fastest time on the bike and the only one to average above 34 km/h, a great average for such a twisty technical course. Heading to transition the difference between the two men ahead was cut just to 40 seconds.
As the athletes completed the 10 bike laps, the toughest part of race, a four kilometer run in temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius faced them before the finish line. It proved to be a stern test of the triathletes’ strength and resolve. One was equal to the conditions however; Petr Pospisil, outside of the top five off the bike lifted himself to the third position of the podium after an incredible run of 14:35. The only other capable of finishing the run inside 15 minutes was Metters to record overall victory in the race. Ball remained in second position finishing with a comfortable run.
Petr Pospisil, completed the podium 5 minutes after the winner. Metters proved his class and pro-credentials by being the only person to break the hour mark in 59:09. There was another excellent result for the junior Cameron Ball, improving all the season, the club can speak higher of his performances. He came in fourth position just missing out on the podium that will surely come for him in future races.
In Category B, Kate Scott returned to the competition after a few races off. She returned in style claiming first position in Category B as well as the best times in all the triathlon disciplines.
Only Jana Jaruskova managed came close to her in the running part being just 10” slower. Katerina Holeckova and Loreli Watson completed the second and third position of the podium, with Jaruskova fourth.
Carrefour, Power Horse, 2XU, Sport in Life, Nestle Pure Life, Wolfi’s Bike Shop, Saab and Riyadh Palace Hotel sponsored the event.
The club would also like to congratulate members Jana Jaruskova, Gerd Muetze and Clemens von Skwarczinsky for their successful Schloss (Castle) Triathlon in Moritzburg, Germany.
Results:
Overall: 1st Jason Matters (0:59:09), 2nd Martin Ball (1:00:30), 3rd Petr Pospisil (1:05:38), 4th Cameron Ball (1:06:46), 5th Gerd Mutze (1:06:48), 6th Antonio Rodriguez Castellanos (1:07:01), 7th Stuart Gillespie (1:09:19), 8th Alex Carinan (1:09:25), 9th Chris Johnson (1:09:29), 10th Reiner Gocian (1:10:13).
Category B: 1st Kate Scott (1:15:08), 2nd Katerina Holeckova (1:25:38), 3rd Loreli Watson (1:26:40), 4th Jana Jaruskova (1:27:16).
Category C: 1st Cameron Ball (1:06:46), 2nd Lucas Day (1:33:15), 3rd Cameron McDermott (1:40:42).