Erica Byram of Holmfirth Harriers and based at Leeds Becket University took the Senior British Elite Triathlon Championship title in the final race of the Senior British Triathlon Super Series on the 7th of September at Mallory Park.
Twins Erica and Lucy Byram in this their first year out of the Junior ranks took on a quality field made up of junior and seniors fighting out for the title and points for the final super series standings. This event over the sprint distance of 750m swim, 20.2km 6 lap bike and 5k 4 lap run.
Twin sister Lucy finished 13th Senior and in the senior men’s race older brother Lewis competed but unfortunately failed to finish citing it as just a bad day. Fellow Holmfirth Harrier Fionn Kerry also competed but again unfortunately failed to finish the bike section of the race.
The race started in good condition but cool swim of 15.9 degrees in the lake at Mallory Park. Erica was never far from the front and came out from the swim in 8th place and quickly made up a few places to 5th with a speedy transition onto her bike. On this 6 lap technical and hilly course round the road circuit, after 3 laps Erica was in the lead pack with 3 other athletes and they had a minute on the chasing pack of approximately 20 athletes coming back into transition for the run.
Erica and Junior international athlete Sophia Green made a quick exit from transition getting an important 10 second gap on the chasing athletes. The pace was fast from the start but after the 3rd run lap Erica and Sophia were caught by seasoned International Jennifer Manners who then on the final lap tried to pull away. Erica went with her and left Sophia dropping off the pace.
The two athletes were side by side for the last half of the run lap. Erica made a break with around 400 meters to go and got the gap over Jennifer of 7 seconds, Erica broke the tape to came home to claim her first British Senior Championship Title in a time of 1:03:18 and completing the 5k run in 17:28 seconds the joint fastest run of the day.
Twin sister Lucy finished 13th Senior and in the senior men’s race older brother Lewis competed but unfortunately failed to finish citing it as just a bad day. Fellow Holmfirth Harrier Fionn Kerry also competed but again unfortunately failed to finish the bike section of the race.
