SUNDAY saw the course records shattered in the Monmouth Challenge Aquathlon. The event, sponsored by Freeman Homes, saw a record 98 swimmers take to the River Wye, swimming from Dixton Church to the School Sports Centre before running 12 kilometres to Biblins and back.

The winners in the Full Challenge, which involved swimming upstream for 500 metres before heading back downstream, were Sam Wade from Cardiff in a time of 1:11:58, breaking the men’s record by nine minutes, and Caroline Jones from Coleford in a time of 1.23.58 in a time that was five minutes faster than the previous ladies record.

Winners in the Downstream Challenge Solo were Adrian Bellwood in a time of 1:07:41 and Victoria Moore in a time of 1:14:29. The overall winner in the Challenge Run was Dan Sandford in 48:24.

SARA provided essential safety cover for the race, exercising their boat handling skills but thankfully no rescues were required.

Monmouth Tri Club will make a donation from the proceeds of the race to the Stroke Association’s Phoenix Project in Monmouthshire, with which one of the club’s long-standing members is personally involved. The Phoenix Project is a new initiative being piloted across Monmouthshire to provide longer term, more tailored and specific support to stroke survivors and carers.

Monmouth Tri Club Chairman Phil Tilley said after the event: “This was the third year of the race and I am very proud that our club can host such a successful event”.