Today, we look back to the Summer to the National Relay Championships, where the TORQ team performed admirably yet again for the third year running. A podium for the men’s team and a credible 5th in the Open category…

The National Club Relay event was an exciting opportunity for the TORQ Tri Team to compete together against some of the top teams in the country. This event could be considered as a more “relaxed” affair, which incorporates Mixed teams and Male and Female teams within Open, Race (trade) and Club categories. All competing for Triathlon England titles. The format for this relay is for each member to swim, then cycle and then run; therefore there is an oportunity for a good rest period between each discipline.

We entered two TORQ teams, a Mixed Team on the Saturday and a Men’s team on the Sunday. The eligibility criteria for each category make it quite confusing to establish which category your team will be put in. Unless all of the team are members of Triathlon England and have the same club name on their BTF card, then you are put into the Open Category, which can be made up of any mixture of males and females. As not all of our team members were registered with Triathlon England, our Mixed Team were competing in the Open Category against teams of 4 men!

The TORQ Mixed Team included Chris, Emma, Danielle and Alex. The team finished 5th overall, which was a great result considering some of the teams with the higher placings were all Men’s teams.

On to the Sunday morning, (which was the Men’s event), we were entered into the race category as a Trade team. Chris was off first, followed by Alex, then Iain and Nick on the anchor leg. After our 4 swims, we were just outside the top 10. Overall, our team is stronger on the bike and run sections than the swim, so we were expecting to be able to pick up some places throughout the race. There were however some very strong teams and both the Red Venom and Racetime Tri club teams provided some good competition. After the bike legs, we were moving up into the top 10. It looked like a medal was out of reach but…

We thankfully came up trumps and were rewarded with a well deserved 3rd place in the National Relay Championships.

This had been a fun event to do and a pleasant change from the more serious races throughout the year.

As ever, thanks to the help of all our fantastic 2015 sponsors:

www.wilier.it – Triathlon Frames
www.ffwdwheels.com – Race Wheels
www.huubdesign.com – Wetsuits
www.schwalbe.com – Cycle Tyres
www.ismseat.com – Saddles
www.invisciddesign.com – Speedfil Hydration Systems
www.lezyne.com – Pumps, Tools, Bottle Cages
www.zyro.co.uk/altura – Triathlon and Cycle Apparel
www.fenwicks.info – Lubrication
www.camelbak.com – Bottles
www.tifosioptics.com – Sunglasses
www.limarhelmets.com – Helmets & Glasses
www.lakecycling.co.uk – Cycling Footwear
www.jagwireusa.com – Cables & Housing
www.swansuk.co.uk – goggles
www.shimano.com – Groupsets
www.amphibia-sport.com – Transition Bags
www.stagescycling.com – Power Meters
www.racewaredirect.co.uk – Custom Garmin Mounts