The men’s and women’s teams claimed the honours in style at the Inter-Services Standard Distance Championships.
While the men missed out on the individual podium spots at Roadford Lake, they packed the remaining top ten and mid-field places to post the fastest collective team time.
Professional triathlete Mne Sam Wordley showed commanding form to secure his fourth individual gold at the head of the race, but Maj Simon Fear (RAMS) spearheaded the soldiers’ charge as he clocked a time of 2hr 24min 28sec in punishing heat.
A quick succession of army finishers then followed as 1min 18sec separated Fear in fourth and Maj James Surmon (RE) in eighth. A similar pattern was repeated as they took places 14 to 17, with just over two minutes splitting the four athletes.
“We had some great preparation beforehand,” Fear told SoldierSport afterwards. “We were able to recce the technical bike sections as well as the run.
“For me, the focus was on working with the team – trying to encourage others while also working to close the gap.
"I knew my swim would not be strong as I haven’t done as much training as I’d like, so I pushed on the bike and looked to close from there.
“It was an uphill start, but I knew I could pick it up on the way back in. It was definitely a fast course.”
The officer said the sport continues to flourish within the ranks and that efforts to support personnel in the build-up to the season and at competitions is paying dividends.
“We’ve had quite a few new individuals coming through, especially junior soldiers,” Fear continued.
“Triathlon in the UK is strong, and our people are picking it up in the civvy world. They then find out about us through things like Defence Connect.
"We held three training days earlier in the year to encourage participation and also had a two-week training camp in Cyprus at the start of the season.
"It was structured training, with pool and sea swimming and a couple of rest days. It was a good chance to get to know those coming in.
“There were a lot of new ideas, which keeps things feeling fresh, and the funding we get from Army Sport helps cover the cost of things like energy gels, protein drinks and kit. There is no feeling of stagnation.”
In a repeat of last season’s women’s race, the army dominated the head of the field – although this time round it was LCpl Jasmine Holmes (Int Corps) finishing ahead of Maj Rosie Wild (RHA) in a time of 2hr 30min 32sec. Capt Victoria Duncan (RE) was third, with team captain Maj Helene Gleizes (Int Corps) fifth.
“It was a tough course, with a long hilly bike section, but it was honest and a real test,” Holmes said. "It is good that the organisers rotate the venues as they suit different athletes.
“It is normally between Rosie and myself at the front, and it was great to get the win.
“For the team competition it is the top four athletes that count. Even if you are clear at the front you must keep pushing for a quick time.
“The army triathlon set-up is a great place to be, and we have some brilliant athletes. There are four women who have passed P Company and there is always someone who is doing an insane physical challenge.
“We all push each other on, and it is fantastic to be part of that team.”
Holmes was also victorious at this season’s British Middle Distance Championships and went on to make her professional debut at the Swansea 70.3 event.
“I want that next challenge to see how I stack up,” she explained.
“It is still a swim, bike and run but there might be some more tactics around working with different people out on the road.
“There will be quite a few army athletes involved, and I will get support from them – that is why I chose a UK race for my pro debut.
“I will take it one competition at a time, although I have my eye on other events later in the year.
“But none of this would be possible without the backing of the army coaches and team, as well as the Intelligence Corps Association. Their support has been fantastic.”
