Ultra-triathlon: local couple finish in top six Great British competitors for age groups

Ann-Marie and Kevin McGilvray

Local couple Ann-Marie and Kevin McGilvray, both of Norden, represented Team GBR at the gruelling ETU European Long-Distance Triathlon Championships held at Almere in the Netherlands over the weekend of 12-14 September.

The long-distance triathlon consists of a 2.4 mile open water swim, 112 mile bike ride, and full marathon of 26.2 miles. Both acquitted themselves well, with Ann-Marie finishing sixth overall in her age group (FV50-54) and third for Team GBR and Kevin finishing fifth overall in his age group (MV65-69) and first for Team GBR.

Ann-Marie finished in 13 hrs 54mins, and Kevin in 15hrs 04 mins.

Over 2,500 triathletes took part in the competition with over 300 taking part in the European Championships.

The European Long -Distance Triathlon is run as part of the Almere Challenge Triathlon and incorporates elite, age group open long distance and half distance triathlons at the same time and on the same course. 

This leads to a slightly confusing and choppy swim with the half distance swimmers entering the water whilst the long-distance swimmers are commencing their second lap. The bike ride, though flat, was mainly into a strong and, at times, blustery head wind. The run consisted of six laps of 4.5 miles round the swim lake.

The couple said: “Our results mean we have both pre-qualified for next year’s European Long-Distance Triathlon Championships. We are very grateful to our sponsors, GenMed, and local cycle shop, The Ride Stuff in Littleborough.”

As part of their preparation for the ETU Championships, Ann-Marie had completed both the London Revolution (190 miles in 12 hours) and The Monster Triathlon (5km swim, 690 mile bike ride and 32 mile run) within six days.

Kevin’s preparation was somewhat less challenging with both a half and full Ironman triathlon. A full Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112 mile bicycle ride and a marathon run, raced in that order.

Representing GB age group is no new experience for the couple as both have represented Team GBR at the World Masters Athletics in 2016 and at the World Duathlon 2017.

Ann-Marie has also represented Team GBR at sprint and standard distance on many occasions.