Maltese success for Sykes

A Kenilworth athlete who started competing in triathlons in memory of his aunt has won the National Triathlon Championship in Malta.

Mark Sykes took part in the Stratford Triathlon in 2005 to raise money for Sir Michael Sobell House Hospice in Oxford which had cared for his aunt, Judith Coughlyn.

Since then he has represented Britain across the globe and he secured his first title when he defeated 61 competitors to be crowned the national champion in a time of two hours, two minutes and 57 seconds in Malta.

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Sykes, who is a business partner at Yorkshire Bank’s Financial Solutions Centre at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, finished 15 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Keith Galea from Malta.

The 30-year-old swam 1.5k in 22 minutes 46 seconds, completed the 40k bike ride in 59 minutes 26 seconds before running 10k in 40 minutes four seconds.

Sykes said he was delighted to have secured his first championship. “This was my last event in this year’s triathlon calendar and it was fantastic to finish on such a positive note,” he said.

“I have developed my cycling and running over the last few years but swimming is still my weakest section.

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“I have been going to Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre every Tuesday at 5.30am for two hours to join members of Coventry Masters, which is part of Coventry Swimming Club, to improve and I think that played a part in winning in Malta.

“I was second in the competiton coming out of the water but I was the only person to finish the bike leg in under an hour and then I held on during the run which was tough because it was about 27 degrees so I struggled in the heat.”

Sykes is now looking forward to competing in the European Championships in Pontevedra in Spain on June 25 and 26.