TORBAY held the first triathlon event in the South West Series last Saturday and there were many West Devon athletes among the competitors. Tavistock based Zest athletics are growing in numbers and had 14 athletes representing them, some taking part in their first triathlon. Emily Ackford and Annabelle Evans began the racing in the age 9-10 girls with Emily finishing the 150 metre swim in first place and Annabelle coming out of the pool in ninth. Emily led the way throughout the 1km cycle and the 800m run to come first overall with Annabelle overtaking fellow competitors to come second. The 9-10 boys then started with Zest's Jordan Channon leading from start to finish to win with team mate Matthew Green in second. In the 11-12 girls Beth Merriott finished in fifth place, Kate Marks in seventh and Hannah Greep in her first triathlon came third. In the 11-12 boys, Jack Base had an excellent cycle and run on which he gained seven places to finish third. Sarah Hornby racing in the girls 13 -14 years was in fifth position coming out of the swim but gained on the next two disciplines picking off her opponents one by one to finish in a very exciting sprint finish to end in a well deserved first. Amy Marks came fourth and Molly Megicks fifth. In the Tristar three boys, age 13-14, had 16 athletes racing. The Zest boys did well with Will Carter in fourth,Tom Green in eight and Rhys Merriott in 11th. The day after four Zest athletes travelled to the Gloucester triathlon with Emily Ackford continuing her excellent season in first, Jordan Channon in second, Matt Green third and Tom Green 12th in their races.
