WRECSAM TRI CLUB: A brief history.

Wrecsam Tri was formed in 1995 when a small group of enthusiasts starting meeting at Gwyn Evans Sports Centre in Wrexham, North Wales where Steve Bold, the Centre Manager started providing specific triathlon focused swim sessions. The club was originally called ‘Wrexham Tri Hards’ and sported a dashing yellow and purple club kit, in the best tradition of 1990’s lycra, that dazzled spectators and competitors alike. Steve Bold instituted the Wrexham Triathlon at Lindisfarne College, a great race for triathletes wanting to start open water racing, with a 750 metre swim in the lake at Lindisfarne, a rural 20k bike and a great cross-country run course in the fields of the College.

In the years between 1998 and 1999 the club stepped up a gear. In 1998 Steve Smith ran the first sprint race based at Chirk Leisure, spurred on by another enthusiastic Centre Manager, Simon Richards. The race gradually grew in stature and numbers to become one of the most popular races in Wales and the North West. By 2006 it was regularly oversubscribed, being full three months before race day. At the same time the club was settling on its club colours of black and red and seeing a steady climb in the number of club members.

In 1999 Julian Hunter, decided to grab the ‘jewel in the crown’ of venues for triathlon at Bala. At incredibly short notice and with great panache, he ran the first Olympic distance race, immediately attracting a field of 250, anxious to enjoy the beauty and challenge of this part of Snowdonia National Park. Within 2 years race numbers had swelled to 800 when the race was selected as a World Championships Qualifier. With the success of the Bala Olympic, Julian went on to create two sprint distance races in Mold and Denbigh, and a classic and popular Middle Distance event, again based at Bala. This meant that the club was now running races across 4 counties in North Wales, with approaching 2000 triathletes taking part in their races. This increasing coverage also saw a corresponding rise in club members which was now approaching 100.

The club suffered a massive blow in 2002 when Steve Bold, so long a steady influence on the development of the club, collapsed and died whilst running a training session in Wrexham. Many of the club were unaware that Steve was due for heart by pass operation. As a memorial to Steve, the club gave full backing to Julian Hunter’s decision to run the first Inter regional race for young triathletes at Caernarvon in 2002, coinciding with the HIMUK race taking part in Snowdonia. The race, dedicated to Steve’s memory, was a great success.

In 2007 the club continues to grow and extend the range of its activities. The races run smoothly, the club organises a range of training and social events, new club kit is about to hit the streets and, most importantly, club members participate in many races from sprint to ironman distance. The club remains what it has always been – a friendly and welcoming place for all those interested in endurance sports.

SWIM

The club trains in a variety of venues in Wrexham and Mold. Each of these sessions is coached and will provide you with an excellent start. There are always club members at these sessions so just ask to be introduced.

The official Club Coached session 7.00pm Thursdays at Gwyn Evans Sports Centre, Gwersyllt. (See Map details below)

Lane swimming with each lane at different speeds, whatever your abilities and experience there is a lane to suit. Open to club and non-club members. The session varies week by week with a mix of drills, endurance and speed work dependent on season with a coach on hand to direct, help and advise. Ideal for novices or the more experienced swimmer looking for a structured workout. The club possess a number of swimming aids for skills work.

During the summer season there are open water swims from Eccleston Ferry in Chester (See Map details below), Sundays, 5.00pm, wet suits recommended (spare club member suits available on request). This is an ideal opportunity to swim open water for the first time, build confidence or endurance. Experienced swimmers on hand to supervise. There are also frequent open water swims in Bala dependent on the season. Refer to Forum for updates on all open swims prior to participating

CYCLING

Seasonal, evening and weekend rides to suit Triathlon Calendar e.g. prior to Chirk club rides based on the Chirk course. Refer to forum for updates, times venues etc.

Rides vary in length from 45 minutes for the sprints to longer 5-6 hour rides for longer distance races. Suitable for all abilities with no-one left behind.  Frequent ad hoc rides arranged throughout the year, refer to forum for details.

During the winter and spring months training sessions are organised at Manchester Velodrome and there are Club Duathlons (Both off road and on-road).

In the summer club members take part in local time trial events.

RUNNING

Coached sessions 7.00pm Wednesdays at Queensway Sports Track, Wrexham (See Map details below), this venue is seasonal, with a different venue in Spring/Summer (See Map details below). Refer to forum for updates.

These sessions are structured with a mix of endurance, strength and speed work on the newly laid track, suitable for all abilities. During the spring/summer the session moves to Castell Alyn School in Hope and the sessions extend to road running, hill runs and Fartleks on quiet country roads and interval sessions on a grass track

There are informal hill runs throughout the year every Sunday morning (Subject to no clashes with races) from Loggerheads, Mold (See Map details below). These sessions start at 8.00am and are typically 1.5-2hrs in length over trails, fields and hills

The club also enters teams in the Border League, a road running league with 7 races from September to April and The North Wales Cross Country League with 5 races in the same period.

OTHER

Various other events/socials are organised by club members throughout the year from mountain bike rides, to orienteering. As a multi-disciplinary sport triathlon attracts people with a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Members are known to race horses or trains on foot, participate in endurance mountain biking days/weekends, walk up hills pushing a bike, undertake 30 mile hikes, cycle Lands End to John O’Groats, escape from Alcatraz. Every weekend a club member will be participating in some event

Wrecsam's Andrew Campbell and Richard Hayes after finishing the gruelling  2006 Lanzarote Ironman

AFFILIATIONS

Wrecsam Tri Club is affiliated to the following national bodies:

British Triathlon Association (BTA). This provides members discounts on most triathlon entries as well as makes members eligible for national and regional championships.

Road Time Trials Council (RTTC). Members can take part in local Open Cycle races.

Welsh Athletics - formerly AAW (WA). This allows members to take part in Open Road Running races.

Welsh Amateur Swimming Association (WASA). Club Members can take part in regional and national swimming competitions