A LARGE contingency of Isle of Wight athletes caught the eye in the European Age Group Standard Distance Triathlon Championships in Holland.

Wight Tri had five of its members in Team GB colours.

First timers Jan Fletcher and Dean Haward, competed alongside veteran Liz Dunlop, Stuart Dyer and Glyn Jenkins, who all had several races for the GB age group under their belts.

During the two-day event, all the women and 55-plus age group men, raced on the Saturday, with the younger men competing the day after, with near record fields of athletes from the host nation and nearby countries.

The race started with a 1,500m swim, which continued on to a flat 40km cycle and concluding with a four-lap run, all performed in high temperatures on both days — conditions that took its toll on run times.

Fletcher, part of Team Isle of Wight at the Island Games, had a fantastic debut, finishing 18th from 38 in the 40-44 age group, with an overall PB time of 2.28.34.

Isle of Wight County Press: Wight Tri athlete Liz Dunlop came tenth in the 60-64 category.Wight Tri athlete Liz Dunlop came tenth in the 60-64 category.

Dunlop, in her ninth European Championships, was delighted to finish tenth in the 60-64 age group in 2.46.34, while Jenkins in the 65-69 category — his third appearance in a Team GB shirt — came a solid 26th in 2.59.29, amid health issues in the run-up to the event.

Haward’s good start with the swim and bike splits, contributed towards his 29th position from 42, with a time of 2.22.03 in the 40-44 age category.

Dyer, in his fourth European Championships and in his final year of 50-54, came 34th out of 67 in a creditable 2.19.45.

Isle of Wight County Press: Stuart Dyer performed well in his fourth European Championships.Stuart Dyer performed well in his fourth European Championships.

Island-born Paul Whitbread, a former Cowes resident, competed in the same group as Dyer, finishing 19th out of 66 competitors and fifth in the GB team.

When living on the Island, he raced competitively at cycling and was part of the Isle of Wight’s Island Games cycling team, when it was hosted on the Isle of Wight in 1993.

Isle of Wight County Press: Island-born former Cowes resident, Paul Whitbread.Island-born former Cowes resident, Paul Whitbread.