Groves was in the groove in the latest PACTRAC mini-series race
Phil Groves became the fifth different winner in six races of the PACTRAC mini-series.
Groves was third of 32 competitors going into the run, but overhauled Jake Daniels and Jake Siddons to claim his third win in the event, but first since 2023.
With one race to go, Jake Daniels currently leads brother Max Daniels in the battle for the overall trophy, whilst Sophie Robotham has taken the lead from Julia Kingsley in the ladies competition. Robotham, who recorded a personal best time (PB), was second to Ellie Piccaver in the latest race with Kingsley third.
Kingsley recorded the fastest swim, Groves recorded the quickest bike ride and run to win by 32 seconds. The Daniels brothers also delivered PBs.
Times: 1) Phil Groves ...6:56 ....23:33 ...19:16 ..= 49:45; 2) Jake Siddons …6:01 ...23:51 ...20:25 ..= 50:17; 3) Jake Daniels ...6:26 ...23:55 .... 20:28 ..= 50:49; 4) Max Daniels … 5:47 ...25:08 … 21:28 ..= 52:23; 5) Adam Clark ...6:04 … 25:16 … 21:04 ..= 52:24; 6) Graeme Kane … 6:30 … 25:25 … 20:38 ..= 52:33; 7) Chris Brennan … 7:01 … 24:48 … 20:48 ..= 52:37; 8) Ellie Piccaver … 6:23 … 26:50 … 21:01 ..= 54:14; 9) Jack Shipton … 7:18 … 26:16 … 21:08 ..= 54:42; 10) Sophie Robotham ... 6:04 .... 26:27 .... 22:42 ..= 55:13
PACTRAC’s Steve Hope completed his 15th Ironman-distance triathlon at Challenge Roth in Germany. The 2.4 mile swim took place in the Danube Canal which was a bit choppy and led to Steve nearly pulling out, before recovering ahead of the 112-mile bike leg and full 26.2 mile marathon for a 15th place in his age group. His total time was a little over 13-and-a-half-hours.