Colchester Harriers’ junior Isla Widdowson came 2nd at the AJ Bell World Triathlon event in Leeds on Saturday within the TriStar 2 F11-12 category completing the 7km event in 28m 49s. Coming off the back of a recent victory at Milton Keynes duathlon Isla continued her good run of form in this COVID impacted multi sport season. The course in Roundhay Park would be re-used the following day by the professionals and included a long run uphill with some tight bike turns.

Choosing to swim the 200m in the lake without a wetsuit given the warm temperature Isla emerged from the lake first in 3m 23s but with her nearest competitor only a few seconds behind. Following several weeks of training at the new Colchester Northern Gateway cycle track Isla dug deep on the bike only to lose her leading position shortly before the second transition. Isla’s time for the 5km bike section was 11m 33s. Isla used her love of the hills and cross country running to good effect clocking the fastest run split of the day, 7m 32s for the 1.8k run, achieving her goal of making the podium. An interview at the finish line which featured on the event website topped off a great day.