HELEN RUSSELL was back on top of the podium as she claimed gold to win her first ever SUP triathlon (Stand Up Paddleboarding/Bike/Run) at Llangorse Lake in Wales.
Russell came home first in 1 hour 52 minutes and 10 seconds over the 3km stand up paddle, 21km bike leg and a 5km trail run course through the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The event was the first in this year’s SUP/Bike/Run series of races with Russell supported by Rivers Fitness Gifted and Talented Scheme.
Russell said: “I am delighted to win in my first ever SUP triathlon and was surprised that the SUP leg was actually my best discipline in the race!
“Like lots of people I have had a tough couple of years, so it was a nice boost to take the win.”
Russell is no stranger to triathlons, having won a number of international titles but only took up Stand Up Paddleboarding in 2020.
And Russell made a great start to the race in Wales posting the fastest SUP time, despite being new to the discipline, finishing in 28 mins 12 secs.
This was followed by a long run to the first transition, before heading out onto the tough bike course, which had numerous climbs including the Allt Filo.
Starting at 119m above sea level the summit climb had 176 meters of ascent over 4km, with the whole route packing in 314 meters of ascent over the 21km ride.
And Russell posted the second fastest bike time before a swift second transition set her up for the final run to finish as the first female and second overall just six seconds behind the first male athlete.
Next up for Russell is the second SUP race in the GB SUP Series, where after taking silver in the first race, she hopes to earn more points and secure an end of season national series ranking.
