ALL THREE Isle of Wight triathlon clubs were represented in the Barcelona Ironman events and came through them as superheroes.

Five triathletes from Vectis Academy, and one from Wight Tri and the Isle of Wight Triathlon Club were in Calella, Spain, to race the Barcelona Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events recently.

This comprised a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle and a marathon run, with the 70.3 event covering half the distances. 

Taking on the half Ironman event were triathlon debutant Lizzie Pilcher, Giorgio Marinelli and Darren Cole, with experienced ironmen, Jake Brougham and Ben Fry, tackling the full distance for the first time.

Craig Wilson (Wight Tri) and Dan Morgan (Isle of Wight Triathlon Club) doing the full distance again. 

More than 4,000 athletes were competing over the two distances. 

Tricky currents made the swim hard. 

Months of preparation on the Island’s roads were put to good use, with strong cycling performances on the windy coastal course to set themselves up for the final leg. 

Up against 30C heat, it made the mixed-terrain run especially tough — the focus being on keeping cool, hydrated and fuelled at every aid station along the route. 

Despite hundreds of competitors pulling out, all seven Island athletes toughed it out to the finish with incredible debut performances, PBs and highest finishing positions achieved. 

In the Ironman 70.3, Lizzie (5hrs 51mins 49 secs) came 16th in her age group and 98th female overall; Darren (4.34.33), sixth in age group, 42nd overall; Giorgio (5.14.02), 50th in age group, 309th overall.

In the longer Ironman event, Jake (10.37.10) came 45th in his age group; Ben (14.00.37), 210th in age group; Craig (13.27.56) 169th in age group; Daniel (11.37.58) 116th in age group.