Excitement and drama see Proctor and Hawker win Outlaw Half Holkham

Excitement and drama see Proctor and Hawker win Outlaw Half Holkham

Posted by on 2nd July 2018

Sam Proctor and Rachel Hawker were crowned champions of the Outlaw Half Holkham, both having to come from behind to win. On a hot and windy day, 1300 athletes took on the 1.2mile swim, 56mile bike ride and challenging 13.1mile run around the beautiful Holkham Estate. 

Matt Bailey was first to exit the lake, setting the swim pace, but later suffering a snapped chain on the bike. One of the pre-race favorites, Chris Standidge was motoring on the bike course and was first through the second transition on to the run. He had the possibility of getting close to Craig Twigg’s course record of 4:09:17 and a £1500 pay day, but pulled up with a calf injury after the first of three run laps.

Sam Proctor took up the lead and made sure he kept it all the way to the finishing line in front of Holkham Hall. His final time of 4:13:03 saw him win with a comfortable margin. 

He said: “I’m trying to make the jump to being a professional, this is a nice little confidence boost. It’s not been smooth or plain sailing so far, but it’s nice to get this win on my CV.” 

Ian Dempsey claimed the second spot whilst Richard Gibbs and Andrew Diplock fought for third place in the Elite category. Gibbs finished with five seconds advantage. 

The women’s race was hugely exciting in the closing stages. Claire Weller, a ‘local’ from Ipswich, had cycled brilliantly and held a lead through the run, but Rachel Hawker caught sight of her in the closing stages. The Irish woman, who is based in Yorkshire, had been suffering in the wind and heat, but found some extra strength to get to the finishing line.

She summed up her performance to echo the thoughts of many more of the 1200 finishers, adding: “It was so hard, it’s so hot. It ranks really up there. I’m really proud.” 

Claire Shea-Simonds finished third overall to add another Outlaw Half podium result to the one she achieved in Nottingham in May.

A few athletes succumbed to the hot and windy conditions, but the vast majority finished, including three men who have done every Outlaw and Outlaw Half event since the first one in 2010. Gary Goacher, Graham Yare and David Manning-Ohren will now prepare to go double the distance at the Outlaw Triathlon on 29 July in Nottingham.

The final finisher, Tryphina Cooper from Luton, danced on the finishing line after 9hours of swimming, cycling and running. She said: “What an amazing day I had today. Well done to everyone that finished. All the cars that stopped to give me way, apologies to cause you to queue up waiting for me. I really appreciated your clapping me to the final stretch and made it (sic).”

We couldn’t put any of our events one without our crew, volunteers, supporting clubs and event partners, especially in heat like we had this weekend. From everyone at OSB Events, there’s a huge thank you, we are really grateful! 

Entries for the Outlaw Triathlon are still open, here: http://www.osbevents.com/events/triathlon/outlaw-triathlon/

Entries for 2019 events will start to open in September 2018.

RESULTS; Outlaw Half Holkham; 1.2mile swim, 56mile bike, 13.1mile run; Sunday 1 July 2018:

Overall men:

  1. Sam Proctor, Elite, 4:13:03
  2. Ian Dempsey, Elite, 4:19:54
  3. Joe Banns, M30-34, 4:24:47
  4. Duncan Shea-Simonds, M45-49, 4:25:51
  5. Richard Gibbs, Elite, 4:27:54

 

Overall women:

  1. Rachel Hawker, Elite, 4:53:27
  2. Claire Weller, Elite, 4:53:38
  3. Claire Shea-Simonds, Elite, 4:57:26
  4. Helen Cross, F35-39, 4:58:42
  5. Hannah Bruce, F25-29, 5:05:48

 

Relay teams:

  1. Team Bedford Harriers 1, 4:18:58 
  2. Team Lincoln Tri, 4:28:21
  3. Team 2plus1, Leicester Triathlon Club, 4:34:24