Brigg Sprint National Championships
Always one of the highlights of the quadrathlon race calendar, this year’s British Championship race took place on 7th September in Brigg, Lincolnshire. The 2025 national race was a sprint-distance format of 750m river swim, 4km kayak, 18km bike and 5km run and it also doubled up as the third race in the British Trophy Series.
In the run up to the race it wasn’t clear whether the format would be a river or pool swim due to the amount of weeds in the Ancholme but the call was made to start the race in the river. This made for a very challenging first leg with all athletes struggling to force their way through the weeds.
The women’s race was very close and arguably the most exciting of the day! Last year’s Brigg Sprint winner, Rose Durrant exited the river first, just 9 seconds ahead of seasoned quadder Helen Russell. About 2 miles into the bike leg Helen caught Rose and the riders battled each other with positions swapping until the half way point when Rose pulled away and created a lead going into the kayak leg of 21 seconds. Both athletes had to deal again with the weeds in the river but just after the half way mark Helen overtook Rose paddling almost two minutes faster. Helen managed to maintain her lead throughout the run leg completing the final disciple just one second quicker than Rose to finish in an overall time of 1 hour, 43 minutes, and 19 seconds. Rose took the silver in 1.44.46 and Tora Oetgen took the final podium place in 1.56.56. In just one year Rose has improved by 5 minutes and 21 seconds, an incredible advancement in just 12 months. Tora also showed a big improvement finishing 4 minutes 59 seconds quicker than last year. Helen and Rose’s times were so fast that they actually finished 3rd and 4th overall beating most of the men!
The men’s race didn’t see much changing of positions. Following on from his victory at Dearne Valley Adam Norfolk was first out of the water and build on his lead throughout the race finishing in 1.28.50. Adam had the fastest time in all four disciplines. Nigel Unwin was the third male to exit the water but moved quickly into second place and comfortably stayed in that position throughout the race to take silver in 1.40.55 and the final podium place was taken by quadrathlon first time racer Richard Evans in 1.45.43. Welcome Richard to our sport!
Congratulations to our national champions Adam Norfolk and Helen Russell. Helen has now won the national title six times.
The first team was Red Roses and it was great to see team member and last year’s overall winner Erik Meilak returning to form after injury.
Massive Thanks to LincsQuad Quadrathlon Club for hosting the race, and their wonderful team of organisers and marshalls who give up their time and work so hard to run this event and make it safe and fun for participants!
Results
Women Overall
1st Helen Russell 1.43.19 Masters 50
2nd Rose Durrant 1.44.46 Elite
3rd Tora Oetgen 1.56.56 Masters 40
Under 20 Hermione Ball 01:57:38
Masters 40 (roll down) Emma Danforth 02:55:26
Masters 50 (roll down) Caroline Jones 02:44:33
Masters 60 Janet Green 02:19:42
Men Overall
1st Adam Norfolk 1.28.50 Masters 40
2nd Nigel Unwin 1.40.55 Masters 60
3rd Richard Evans 1.45.43 Elite
Masters 40 (roll down) Adam Draup 02:06:45
Masters 50 Wayne Smith 01:54:59
Masters 60 (roll down) Nicholas Farnell 01:49:32
Masters 70 John Mcadam 01:57:21
This was also the third in the Trophy Series which rewards consistency over the season, as athletes score points at races, with the points from the best three races to count towards the title. Some titles were decided at this race with results to be confirmed soon. With three wins Helen Russell has definitely taken the overall Series women’s title. The men’s title is yet to be decided and will come down to the final race of the season The Awesome Foursome on the 11th October.
Thanks to Helen Russell for the write up, full results and Trophy Standings will follow soon.