Category: News

Congratulations to the Deva Divas!

Jean Ashley
Jean is feeling SO PROUD of all involved in this AMAZING EVENT!

I just wanted to send out a HUGE THANK-YOU to everyone past and present who have made the Deva Divas the Awesome event that it is! Nicola Perrins our Event Director has just been given this FANTASTIC NEWS!  Our very own ‘Deva Divas 2025’ won best large club event of the year in the North West Region, which means it’ll go forward to the nationwide finals!!! So Proud for our Event and all you Quadrathletes that make it extra SPECIAL!
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/north-west/news/congratulations-to-our-north-west-triathlon-england-award-winners%21_20906

The New Season awaits …!

Jean Ashley

Its offically Spring …. so lets hope the sun shines a little more, and the warm air starts to warm our lakes and rivers back up! If you haven’t started to think about this years racing here is a little reminder to get you motivated!  Our Race organizers are waiting for YOUR entries! The National Trophy Calendar and the World Cup Series are for 2026, at the moment we will have 4 Trophy races here in the UK, including a National Championships and we have 1 WQF World Cup Race  which will be European Middle Distance Championships! 

‘The Brigg Bomber’ will be hosting the European Middle Distance Championships, and will also be a World Cup Series Race. The Brigg Sprint will be our National Championships.

So get these dates in your diary’s and entries in, then have a reason kick start your training right now, having a goal does wonders for your motivation!

BQA National Trophy Events for 2026

RACE 1 – 7th June – Brigg Bomber Quad – EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 1500km river swim/40km road bike/8km river kayak/10km road run. A superb race to start the season, extremely well organized by our Top Quadrathlon Club ‘Lincsquad’ a fast flat and safe course, its the European Championships so certainly not to be missed, Lincsquad will certainly pull out all the stops to make this a brilliant day! Entries OPEN Brigg-Bomber

The Keyo Brigg Bomber Sprint is running along side the Bomber and consists of a 750m river swim, 18k bike, 4k kayak & 5k run. This Sprint distance is not a European WQF Race, but will carry qualifying points for BQA trophy series (slightly less points than the Bomber) Entries OPEN Brigg-Bomber-Sprint

RACE 2 – 21st June – Dearne Valley Sprint Quad QuadKidz – 800km lake swim/4.4km lake kayak/5km trail run.

As most of you will know there was a bike incident last year on the cycle leg of the bike course. This has been looked into in great detail, and their have been big discussions to try and find a solution with the ‘Trans Pennine Bike Trail committee,  and the Manvers Team have also looked carefully at a road course, but the logistics are impossible within the area of Manvers Lake. The Team are really sorry about loosing the bike leg and they have not taken this decision lightly, they have looked at many other options to accommodate the bike leg, but sadly there are no other options.

In the past this event has been a great motivator for many people and youngsters alike who use the Centre, it has always been the aim to deliver an event where people from all walks of life can participate, athletes enjoy their training towards it and feel a great sense of achievement afterwards. So Instead of cancelling the event completely it is now going to run in a new format – Swim 800m, Run 5K and Kayak 4k.

The BQA would like to thank Mark and his Team for continuing put this event on for everyone. We hope you all understand, it will still be part of the BQA Trophy Series but it will not be a WQA Cup Race.

The Link to the Event Page Manvers-swim-run-kayak

RACE 3 – 6th September – Brigg Sprint NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – 750km river swim/18km road bike/4km river kayak/5km road run. This is a great sprint event organized by the dedicated Lincsquad Team. The course is flat, fast and ideal for both experienced quadrathletes and those wanting to race the shorter distance. Its our National Championships, so great racing is guaranteed! Entries OPEN Keyo-Brigg-Sprint

RACE 4 – 3rd October – Awesome Foursome Quad – 800km sea swim/30km road bike/10km canal kayak/10km mixed terrain run. This is one of our longest running established Quadrathlons, in beautiful Cornwall in the surfing town of Bude. It never ceases to amaze me, I have raced it in all weathers …. it is always a brilliant exciting and challenging race and a great end the race season! Swimming in the sea, there’s plenty of hills on the bike, a historic canal for the kayak and amazing coastal views on the run! It’s one of those addictive races that keeps drawing you back. The race is on a Saturday so plenty of time for sun, sand and surf too! 

Running Alongside ‘The Sprint’
“A little smaller but just as Awesome” This shorter-course quadrathlon will be run at the same time as the full Awesome Foursome but will be roughly half the distance. It will start with the main event and be based at the Canal Wharf but will follow similar routes for the swim, cycle, and run as the Shoreline Triathlon. The swim will be one lap of the Bay, the cycle ride will only go as far as the Widemouth Manor before returning to Bude on the A39, (eliminating the severe cycling hills around Millook). The Kayaking will be one lap of the canal and the Run will only go as far as Rodds Bridge before returning to Bude via Lynstone Road. Entries OPEN Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon

All links to these races are on our ‘events’ page. I hope I have tempted you …. keep you eye on the events page as some race organizers offer Early Bird race discounts!

You must be a BQA member to race for the ‘GB TEAM’ at the World Championships or in a World Cup race, and also to qualify for all BQA prizes in the National Trophy Series. We do need your memberships to help fund our sport. Money goes towards various areas within the organization, one being our website, where we keep you updated with the latest news and events. Our biggest annual outlay is insurance, which we use to cover the races on the British Quad Calendar, without this insurance many of our races wouldn’t take place. We also affiliate to the World Quadrathlon Association ‘WQF’ so our athletes can race at World Cup Races the World and European Championships. The future of British Quadrathlon is in our hands, so please support the BQA and you will be helping to keep our small sport alive!

Membership

BQA 2026 Trophy Series

7th June – Brigg Bomber EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS plus Brigg Bomber Sprint Race
21st June – Dearne Valley Sprint & QuadKidz
6th Sept – Keyo Brigg Sprint NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
3rd Oct – Bude Awesome Foursome Quad plus Mini Awesome Foursome Sprint 

Races supported by BQA (not Trophy Races)
? May – Montgomery Canal Triathlon (Charity Event)
21st June – Norfolk SuperHeroes Quad Norfolksuperheros
5th July – Deva Divas Quad Deva Divas Quad

Update on Manvers Quad 2026

Jean Ashley

Update on the ‘Manvers Quad Event’ on 21st June 2026 .

As most of you will know there was a bike incident last year on the cycle leg of the bike course. This has been looked into in great detail, and their have been big discussions to try and find a solution with the ‘Trans Pennine Bike Trail committee,  and the Manvers Team have also looked carefully at a road course, but the logistics are impossible within the area of Manvers Lake.

Mark Benton, David Jones and his Team are really sorry about loosing the bike leg and they have not taken this decision lightly, they have looked at many other options to accommodate the bike leg, but sadly there are no other options.

In the past this event has been a great motivator for many people and youngsters alike who use the Centre, it has always been the aim to deliver an event where people from all walks of life can participate, athletes enjoy their training towards it and feel a great sense of achievement afterwards. So Instead of cancelling the event completely it is now going to run in a new format – Swim 800m, Run 5K and Kayak 4k.

The BQA would like to thank Mark and his Team for continuing put this event on for everyone. We hope you all understand, it will still be part of the BQA Trophy Series but it will not be a WQA Cup Race.

The Link to the Event Page Manvers-swim-run-kayak

BQA Annual Report 2025

Jean Ashley

To Our 2025 BQA Members and Race Organizers

It’s been a much better year on the whole for Quadrathlon Racing as we were back up to 4 Races with 2 of our race organizers adding a Sprint Race to their Middle Distance Event, thanks to Lincsquad, and Simon Hamond,Bude for this fabulous addition! The Brigg Bomber hosted the European Championships, and Dearne Valley Sprint was a World Cup Race, this is fabulous for GB to have these races on the World Circuit, even though we are a small minority sport, it certainly helps raise the profile and gives GB Athletes to get a World Ranking too. The numbers racing across the board were up on last year, big thanks to ‘Team Manvers’ and ‘Lincsquad’ who are continually doing a sterling job introducing new athletes to our sport.

On behalf of the BQA I’d like to say a Huge THANK YOU to all our Race organizers and volunteers, they work so hard each year to put on these events for us, it is a big commitment and we really do appreciate your time! Thanks also to all the Sponsors who support them, and to you the BQA Members please keep spreading the word and as always thank you for your valuable membership and ongoing support, it’s so much appreciated by your Governing Body. Your annual fees are vital so we can run the BQA Governing Body and more important provide the ever important Insurance fees to be able to support the Race Organizers…. Big Thanks!

I would also like to say an enormous thanks to John Kavanagh who produces the BQA and WQF Tables after each race, this is a huge commitment and we are all very grateful for his dedication in getting these tables done for us …. Thanks John A Big Thanks also to Donna Chappill for stepping in as our new BQA, she is certainly a great ambassador for our sport!

Thanks also to every single one of you involved, without you our sport would simply not exist, our race organizers, our marshals, coaches, and also to every single one of you that made it to the start line this year, be proud of what you have achieved and we look forward to seeing you again next season! Jean Ashley

Motivation to train is often fueled by race adrenalin, so next season let’s keep supporting our event organizers, and continue to fuel our passion for our wonderful sport! #smallsportbigheart 

The Full 2025 Report and Dates for 2026 Events BQA- ANNUAL REPORT & AGM 2025

Bude’s Awesome Foursome

Jean Ashley

Big Thanks to Simon Hammond and his Team for organizing the last race in the BQA Trophy Series for 2025. Thankfully they were blessed with good weather, the main race was well supported especially with some fantastic Team combinations in pairs and relays of 4. Running along side was a sprint version which also went well with 9 individual competitors and a team from the local Bude Library!

Phillippe Jumeau

Congratulations go to Nigel Unwin winning the individual full race in 3.05.48, with Matt Rayment in 2nd place 3.13.48, and Nicholas Farnell in 3rd 3.16.48. Phillippe Jumeau took 4th place in 3.33.38, which secured him enough points to take the Overall British Trophy Championships, well deserved he has been flying the BQA Flag for many years, and has had a great consistent race season this year!

Kate Robson won the ladies event in 3.24.01 with the BQA’s young star Hermione Ball in 2nd place 3.43.30 with Pennie Channing in 3rd 4.04.52.

In the sprint race James Block took the win 1.26.07 with Russel Breyer in 2nd 1.39.52, the first lady home came 3rd overall in 1.42.45. Well done to all competitors, individuals, teams and pairs, its a fantastic achievement to get over that finish line in this iconic Quadrathlon, its now our longest running Quad in GB and a true testament to the commitment from Simon Hamond and all at Shoreline Events!

Full Results Awesome-Foursome-Quad-results-2025 

Russell finishing!

Report from – Russell Breyer one of our ‘long time supporters of Quadrathlon …. Thank You!

The Sprint is a brand new addition to the Bude calendar and a welcome one in my book. If, like me, your knackered 63 year old calves will no longer power you up Milook, or even round a 10k, then the Sprint is just the thing. Somehow Simon has managed to create all the fun and excitement in a half pint pot. Same swim and kayak routes (just one lap of each), shorter bike route that still tests you on the hills out to Widemouth Bay before hooking you back on the A39, and shorter run route that let’s you find your stride along the towpath before routing you back in to town via a very cheeky hill. Then the same glory run down to the canal lock and round to the finish by the little green.

His Kayak Leg

I liked that the transition zone and kayak entry are now on the other side of the canal, and that the one lap kayak route still works in three turns. I also liked coming second, but that may be a one-off as more accomplished athletes are drawn to this race, as I hope they are.

It was also great to see people attempting the sport that probably are unlikely to ever have entered the extreme  Standard…the Sprint is a real plus and my dream would be that Simon continues to run both the Sprint and Standard versions but that I guess will be based on the demand ….. and I was proud to have Won a great bespoke trophy, as ever!

Happy Quadding…. Russell

Final Trophy Standings 2025

Jean Ashley

Big Thanks to John Kavanagh for working out the Trophy Standings for us again in 2025, the Results are finally in! Remember its 3 races to count and you MUST be a BQA Member to be legible for a prize, if you win the Overall Prize we role down in your Age Group.

Huge Congratulations to Phillippe Jumeau,  and Helen Russell for taking to overall BQA Trophy Prizes! I’m really pleased for Phillippe, he has been involved in our sport for as long as I can remember … that’s at least 26 years, such a well deserved achievement Phil! Also congratulations to Helen who has now won the overall trophy several times! Your Trophies will be engraved and sent out to you along with a £30 BQA Clothing Voucher ASAP.

Well done also to our AGE GROUP WINNERS, they will all be receiving a £20 Clothing Voucher  ASAP

Men

Vet 50 Wayne Smith

Vet 60 (Role down) Graeme Tiffany

Vet 70 John Macadam

FEMALE

Under 23 Hermione Ball

Over 40 Tora Oetgen

Vet 50 (Role down) Caroline Jones

Vet 60 Janet Green

Final Results BQA Trophy 2025 final tables

BQA Trophy Points, with just Bude to Race!

Jean Ashley

The final race in our BQA National Trophy series  is taking place in Bude on 11th October ‘The Awesome Foursome’. On the Ladies side it looks like Helen Russell can not be beaten to take the overall Trophy, but there could be some ladies age group deciders depending on who races!

On the Men’s side it is very close, 3 have tied at the top of the table on 287,  and 1 person is just 7 points behind. There are also a few with good scores from 2 races, so the Bude results will be crucial, depending who races at this iconic end of season Quadrathlon!

Here is the link if you need to put your entry in!    Awesome-foursome-quadrathlon

TROPHY POINTS after 4 Races BQA Trophy 2025 4 of 6

Just to remind you: Trophies are awarded each year, provided each winner has done 3 races in the series, and MUST be a current BQA Member. (In the event of a tie the 4th race points will count to decide the winner). The overall BQA Trophy winners will receive only one prize, so a roll down will take place for their age group prize. PRIZES: Overall Winners Perpetual Trophy for Male and Female. BQA Kit vouchers for winners Male and Female in each age category, Juniors (u23), Seniors, V40+ V50+ V60+ Vet 70+ 

Big Thanks to ‘John Kavanagh’ for putting together the National Trophy and WQF Results, he compiles a list of all the quadrathletes, converts it to a spreadsheet and then updates the series after every race throughout the season. Its certainly a commitment during our the race season, and we are truly grateful for his work! THANKS JOHN on behalf of the BQA and all the competitors!

 

 

Brigg Sprint National Championships

Jean Ashley

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 Sprint Brigg 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.

 

Final 2025 World Cup Results

Jean Ashley

Whilst the British National Trophy still has 2 Races left in the 2025 Series – Brigg Sprint 7th September and Bude’s Awesome Foursome – (see links below to enter) The World Cup Results have been finalized after 9 Races. Big Thanks to the Brigg Bomber and to Manvers Dearne Valley Quad for hosting our 2 World Cup Races, and to all our British Quadrathletes that took part and gave us valuable points which gave us 3rd place in the World Standings! 

brigg-bomber-sprint-distance-quadrathlon/

The-awesome-foursome-quadrathlon

WQF FINAL RESULTS FINAL WQF WORLD CUP after 9 races

Congratulations to our overall World Champions Ferenc Csima (HUN) and Susanne Walter (GER). Our best GB Result is Ian Cook (after 3 races) was 4h Overall, and Won his Masters 60 Age Group All participants of a world cup event are automatically listed for the world cup results if they fulfill the national terms and conditions. The number of competitions for one athlete is not limited. The best three races are counted (up to two results from one country).The winners get a high-quality glass cup (overall and age groups), the podium place winners will receive medals. ( An Athlete get trophies/medals only when he  has completed a minimum of 3 races.

WQF Team Trophy
National Quadrathlon Trophy: R10 National Trophy after 9 of 9

Congratulations to Germany who Won The National Quadrathlon Trophy (3900 pts) with CZE in second (3717pts) with GREAT BRITAIN just behind in third (1251pts)

This Trophy is will be awarded annually by the WQF. For each Nation, the highest number of points scored in the each of the 16 WQF age and gender categories by an individual national in any one World Cup race during the season will be totaled. If no individual from a nation is represented in an age/gender group, then zero points will be scored for that category.
The trophy will be held by the winning nation for one year. It will be that nation’s responsibility to ensure the trophy is available to be presented at the last race of the following season.

Next Event Lincsquad Festival of Sport including the Sprint Quad … Get your Entry in!

Jean Ashley

Fabulous News from our Lincqsquad Team – They are having a Festival of Sport 6th September 2025!

Lincsquad’s Keyo Brigg Sprint Latest News, ‘We are having a ‘Ready to Sprint Event with 5 Awesome Events’. We’ve bounced back from Brigg Bomber 2025 with FIVE epic events including 2 brand-new challenges!

The Quadrathlon: BQA NATIONAL TROPHY RACE The race consists of a 750m opening water swim in the river Ancholme followed by a 4km Kayak, 18km road cycle and finishing with a 5km road run. Subject to weather the swim may get changed to a 400m pool swim depending on the river temperature and condition, so please train and be prepared for both. A fantastic way to start your Quadrathlon journey or take your skills to the next level.

The course is flat, fast and ideal for both experienced quadrathletes and those wanting to race the shorter distance. (BQA Trophy Points will be awarded to this race only) brigg-sprint-quad details

The Triathlon: The Race consists of a 400m pool swim (16 lengths) in the Ancholme Leisure Centre’s 25m pool followed by a 18km road cycle and finishing with a 5km road run. The course is flat, fast and ideal for both experienced triathletes and newcomers to the sport. Lincsquad are also pleased to provide limited spaces for Standard and TriStar Teams were each team member will complete one leg: see website page for more details. Brigg-sprint-tri details

The Duathlon: race consists of a 2.5km run, 18km bike and 5k run. Great for beginners and a serious challenge for those looking to push their limits. The course is flat, fast and ideal for both experienced and novice athletes alike. Brigg-sprint-duathlon details

 

 

OUR NEW EVENTS –
The 2 Up Duathlon: race consists of a 2.5km run, 18km bike and 5k run and there’s 2 of you doing it! Great for pushing each other and having a bit of fun or competition!

Run together, Bike together (drafting not allowed!) then finish strong side by side!
Your team’s time is set when the second person crosses the line! This event is packed with action, camaraderie, and competition! Get involved and sign up NOW Let’s hear those team names! Who’s in? brigg sprint-duathlon-2 up


The Aquathon: Well Dive In Our Fifth Event Just Surfaced!  This race consists of a 400m swim followed by a 5km run. Call it splash and dash if you want to! One seriously refreshing combination, whether you glide like a dolphin or splash like an enthusiastic Labrador, this event’s for you! And don’t worry—wetsuits aren’t required and high-fives always welcome. brigg sprint-aquathon

Don’t just tread water—sign up now!
All the details are waiting here: Lincsquad Events
Any Questions send to: Lincsquadevents@gmail.com!