ATHLETICS: Hopkins is made of iron after his supreme effort for Thornbury Running Club

A TERRIFIC effort by Thornbury Running Club’s Rob Hopkins saw him complete Ironman Maastricht in a time of ten hours 27.03minutes last Sunday.

The 3.8 km swim course was in the Maas River, going around the provincial government building.

Athletes had to swim against the mild current for 1.9 km then exit and re-enter the water to swim back with the current.

The 180 km. bike course was two loops of 90 km around Maastricht with approximately 1,400 m and the 42.2 km run course was four loops through Maastricht with only 280 m of elevation on the course, much flatter than Hopkins’ usual races.

After a good swim, his weakest discipline, a fast bike section was followed by a strong run of three hours 38.49minutes to see him complete the event third Great Britain competitor in the 40-44 age group, and 41st in category.

At the Red Hart Blaisdon 10k last Wednesday, Kevin Arnold finished the road race in 39th place with a time of 46.36minutes.

The evening race, hosted by Forest of Dean AC, was another sell-out.

Two members travelled to the new parkrun at Stonehouse where the course comprises four laps of the playing fields at Oldends Lane, Kevin Arnold completing in 23.08minutes and Tom Usherwood running with daughter Katie in 41.24minutes.

Chris Dawes (20.34minutes) was first Thornbury member at Chipping Sodbury, closely followed by Paul Thomas (20.55minutes).

Malcolm Carr (26.52minutes) stayed ahead of wife Karen (27.40minutes) and the husband-and-wife Team Bishop finished with Graham 36.48minutes and Carole 36.49minutes.