The rescheduled 2008 WGC Indoor Ironman/ Ironwoman took place at Fitness First, Gorton on Saturday 28 June. Despite a significant reduction in participation at the two previous events, there was a pleasing entry of 66 competitors, compared to 70 last year. No big hitters like Hywel Davies , Sam Orgee or Nik Kandola, but there was ample compensation in a contingent of Royal Marines taking part for the first time.

The Ladies Intermediate

There were 9 entries in the Ladies Intermediate. Emma Maggott, who picked up her first medal at Luton set the early pace with a time of 28:17, which ultimately gave her 4th place. Local instructor Amie Baines, competing for the very first time, put in a great display to take 3rd place with 27:44 and looks a bright prospect. She was beaten in her race by seasoned campaigner Hayley Deighan with an impressive time of 26:43. Nicky Humphrey took the lead on the Squat Thrusts against Kelly Friel and commanded the race from then on to finish unbelieveably in exactly the same time as Hayley. This was a first victory for Hayley, albeit a joint one and these two fine competitors have had some cracking races over the past two years. Kelly, who won the Sprint event at Southampton, had been ill and wasn't at her best, but had the consolation of picking up the best performance award. She will win medals this year, that's for sure.

The Men's Intermediate

15 competitors lined up for the Mens Intermediate event and the two Micallef brothers from Dave Hall's gym made their debuts, but found it tough going! Simon Craft set a time of 27:37 to win his first medal with 2nd place in the Masters.His time was bettered by Sean Blyth, who won that category with a time of 26:52 to secure his first medal also. The last three races brought the 5 best times and Stacey Cross was 5th in 25:59. An unlucky 4th place was Pete Abraham in 24:08, but for his consistency over numerous races, he won the best performnace award. Steven Broadley pipped him for 3rd by 18 seconds with 23:50 and he was only 15 seconds behind the ultra consistent Russell Stenning, who secured his best placing with second. As expected, the comfortable winner was Lloyd Millichip in 21:42 and he certainly appears to have the ammunition to step up to the Open category.

The Women's Open

14 ladies lined up in the Open category. Receptionist Sharon McNearney, on her competition debut was the only Veteran and picked up the trophy with 53:08. Local girl Penny , who competed at Intermediate last year, put in a great effort to achieve 40:49, which gave her the best performance award. Another local, Sarah Green, who had been abroad, but had trimmed down significantly from when she had previously competed, set a fantastic time of 37:40 to take second in the Masters. Carolyne Waywell, another Intrermediate from last year battled her way down the course to take 3rd in the Masters in41:21, The fixed level of 10 on the bike, extra Bench Jumps and 10kg  Step Ups certainly made it tougher than ever for the ladies. Sarah Deed had a battle royal against Trudi Hawksworth and Trudi, one of the most popular participants in the sport, comfortably won the Masters in 36:04. Sarah's aerobic superioty won her the race and set  a tough target for Becky and Catherine to beat. It was a fascinating race and Becky looked stronger up to the treadmill, but Catherine seems to possess amazing recovery powers from her swimming background and comfrotably beat Becky, who had a torrid time on the run and step ups. Becky was 3rd with 36:58 and many thought Catherine might be the winner, but her time of 35:07 was slower than sarah's 34:38. Sarah is such a gutsy, determined athlete and her power defies her small body frame. These three will provide some great entertainment at the next three events.

The Men's Open

There were 28 entries in the Mens Open, but as always, a disappointing entry from the under39's! Local member Craig Horsfield set a strong early pace with 34:40 in a keenly fought battle with training partner Mike Jones. Sadly, the popular Adrian Berry had to retire on the treadmill with a calf injury, when having a good race against Phil Talbot, who at that stage lead the Masters with 36:35. This was surpassed  in the next race by one of the Ultrafit legends, Andy Cureton in 35:13. Martin Carter, who had a nightmare of a race at Luton, bounced back with an excellent perfomance in 32:02 to win the best performance trophy.  Two races later, the popular Nelson Anderson took the lead in the Masters with 33:!7 and he was pushed hard for much of the way by Andy Ashurst.Gary Niholls then picked up the Veterans trophy in 33:50, but was very much chasing the shadow of Alex Woods, who scorched down the course in 31:21 to achieve his best ever placin in 3rd. Danny Watson set the best time of his group at that stage with 32:56. the next race saw one of the supreme performances in the Ironman's history, when Chris Lord set the winning time of 28:26. He just seemed to glide down the course, with exemplary technique and the crowd knew they had witnessed a very special performance. Andy Lett  and Les Barrow had  a real tussle in the penultimate race and Les was 2nd with 31:15, but Andy won the Masters with a great sub 30 minute time of 29:58 to continue his rich vein of form. In the final race, it was great to see Kirk Gibbons back in action and he put on a superb show to finish just 15 seconds behind Andy and Steve Oxlade had to settle for 4th in the masters.

A big thank you must go to Fitness First for providing the venue and Mike Jones, Rehat Perveen, Francis Walton and Sue Regan-Watts for the fantastic support in making the event a success. Hopefully the Ironman will continue and the day ended with some of those wonderful competitors trying to talk the old man out of retirement!!

Also a special mention must go to For Goodness Shakes for supplying what has to be, surely, the best recovery drink after this type of event on this planet?! Further details at www.forgoodnessshakes.com and to also Stash Performance Wear (www.stashmeup.com) for the Vest and Tee Shirt design for this event.