Horsham trio outclass Olympic champions in Petworth Park

The trio all performed superbly to take first prize overall and first men’s team prize in the sprint relay at the Macmillan Brownlee Tri South.

Horsham Joggers’ two fastest men, Neil Boniface and Max Dumbrell, teamed up with former Jogger Andrew Robinson of Horsham Amphibians Triathlon to form The Physio Fitness & Wellbeing Race Team for the event.

At the eleventh-hour, the swimming stage was cancelled owing to excessive algae levels in Petworth’s lake and a 2k run substituted, which played to the Horsham team’s strengths.

Dumbrell covered the 2k in 5mins 51secs, Robinson completed the 29.5k cycle stage in 44:29, and Boniface finished with 16:34 for the 5k run, all three times being the fastest posted for each relay stage and giving a total with transitions of 1hr 7mins 52secs - six minutes clear of their nearest rivals.

Also competing was Jogger Joanne Hartland, forming a relay team with her son Michael and nephew James. They were leading in the Mixed Class until the final stage, when Joanne was unsurprised to see double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes streaking past her! Joanne’s team finished an honourable second in class in 1:30:18.

Meanwhile, five Horsham Joggers competed in Sunday’s Polesden Lacey 10k, which starts in the grounds of the famous Edwardian country house near Great Bookham, Surrey, then follows a very challenging off-road route.

Leading the Joggers home was Steve Wilson, who continues to show excellent form, taking second place in the Vet 60 category with 49:05. Duncan Caskey, who joined the club last year through the autumn ‘Learn to Run’ course, was next in 50:07, with Vet 50s Paul Neale (51:40) and Alasdair Coyle (56:27) following respectively and Andy Jefford (61:46) completing a fine team effort.