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 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.
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! 
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 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. 
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. 
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. 
The BQA are pleased to see that Bude Quad will be also adding a sprint course quad to your usual Awesome Foursome course.
The race makes the very most of Bude’s geography and features. The open water swim takes place within the shelter of Bude’s breakwater. The cycle ride includes some amazing coastal hills (including the 1 in 3 climb at Millook). The kayak leg takes place on the tranquil Bude canal. And the final run follows the canal towpath onto the coastal path and back to Bude. The fastest athletes will take around 3 hours to complete the course with most finished within 4 hours.
NEW for 2025: The Sprint
A few weeks ago, The Charity Norfolk Superheros Pairs Quadrathlon took place in Burnham Overy, the BQA support this event and once again it was 
VIDEO 2025: The link to this year’s video is
NEXT YEAR: Next year’s Superhero will be on Saturday 20th June 2026. The date has not been announced yet, but as a key partner, we wanted to share this with you.
Don’t Cry because its over, Smile because it Happened!
…. Sue 
WQF preserves the memory of Václav Marek. The National Trophy award – which is given every year to the most successful country – will be named Václav Marek National Trophy from 2025.
Special thanks to Mark Benton, David Jones and the Manvers Team for organising this great quad event, you are a wonderful ‘Team’ of people thank you for your enthusiasm and for inspiring so many to take to the water and embrace the challenge, you have put so many smiles on peoples faces at Manvers. As always the BQA are extremely grateful to everyone involved, we are a small sport, and its good to see so many competitors without a doubt it’s such a fabulous feel good event, enjoyed by everyone, from seasoned athletes to first timers and looking at the photos looks like you had a great day!
The Race this year was part of the BQA Trophy Series, but for the first time ever it was part of the World Quadrathlon Cup, so competitors were given BQA points plus WQF points, this is great to see so many British athletes with World Cup points. The GB team are now in 2nd place in the World Cup Trophy now “The Vaclav Merek National Trophy” this is given to country with the most the points at the end of the year. So huge well done to everyone who has raced so far this year! 
