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Lightning and jenga - reflecting back on Guernsey’s biggest multisport event

Lightning and jenga - reflecting back on Guernsey’s biggest multisport event

Thursday 12 September 2024

Lightning and jenga - reflecting back on Guernsey’s biggest multisport event

Thursday 12 September 2024


The Granite Weekender attracted competitors from the UK, Jersey and the Netherlands to join the local multisport athletes swimming, cycling and running in a revamped offering from Guernsey Triathlon.

The Granite Man half had been the club’s showpiece event every two years, but the format was revised this time around with more events split across two days and a new main distance.

It was one of the events to receive public funding from the Tourism Development Fund.

The Granite Weekender started on Saturday 31 August with a Try-a-Tri Novice Triathlon, a kids 'Splash 'n Dash', and a 5k your way.

It finished the next day with the Granite 100 middle distance triathlon and the Granite Sprint Triathlon, both of which descended to 83 metres below sea level in the depths of the Ronez Quarry at Les Vardes.

Quarry_Run.jpg

Race headquarters was centred around the Peninsula Hotel, shifting away from the traditional spot at Pembroke.

More than 100 entries were received for the Sunday events, with 28% of those in the G100 from off-island.

In the end 92 turned up on the start line, 39 in the sprint and 53 for the G100.

Initially the conditions did not play ball.

Competitors were into the swim leg for the G100 when a thunderstorm with lightning meant they needed to return to shore.

They waited things out in the hotel conference room, where some of them amused themselves playing jenga while still in wetsuits, swim caps and goggles.

When things got back underway, the swim was shortened to one lap.

Jersey’s Wayne Quenault was the first man home, followed by Guernsey’s Chris Norman.

Lindsay Sword won the women’s event, with Claire Lucy Smit second.

Winners for the Sprint were a visiting couple from Weymouth, Nigel 'Paddy' Jones and Kate Baldwin-Jones.

Kate told the club: “Thank you for hosting a really fun event this weekend. Loved your sprint triathlon, loads of fun, thunder and lightning - monster quarries did not deter us. Fantastic marshals and a really friendly supportive atmosphere. Your island is beautiful. If any of your members ever want to come and join any of our events in Weymouth, we'll make sure you feel as welcome as you did us.”

The weekend embraced a festival vibe - with a Party Pit in the quarry with music provided by DJ R.

Food and drink was available at the race headquarters during and after the race for competitors, volunteers and spectators alike. 

Support was provided from HealthSpan, Wheels & Co and CMC.

The club thanked Traffic and Transport and Civil Protection for helping to ensure a safe race.

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