Laidlow and Bilham first winners in first edition of TRADEINN International Triathlon 140.6INN

Sam Laidlow and Emma Bilham are the first winners of the first edition TRADEINN 140.6INN International Triathlon.

The Catalan town of Platja D’Aro (Girona) was host to the first edition of the TRADEINN 140.6INN International Triathlon on Sunday 30 May, where more than 1200 participants swam 3800 meters in the waters of the Costa Brava, cycled 80km through the province of Girona and ran a marathon through the scenic host city before crossing the majestic goal arch located in the centre of Platja D’Aro.

As always, the circuit is the first enticement for a race where the fastest will find it difficult to get below the 8-hour mark. However, with the level that is expected at the starting line, there is likely to be more than one surprise and this was the case as Sam Laidlow, the 22 years triathlete who trains in the French Pyrenees, was the unexpected leader 28km into the marathon ahead of Cameron Wurf, the odds-on favourite to win the race. As they came to the finishing line it was Sam Laidlow who was to take the win in a time of 8:36:29 ahead of Cameron Wuft coming in second with Spaniard Víctor Arroyo taking third place and proclaimed Champion of Spain for that distance. 

There were not such surprises in the women’s race as Emma Bilham of Switzerland fulfilled the race predictions. Taking the lead into the marathon she made her attack right from the get-go making sure that her lead was insurmountable to the chasing pack to seal her triumph with a time of 9:32:11. In second position less than 5 minutes away was Catalan’s Judith Corachán who was also proclaimed Champion of Spain in the distance with third place going to GB’s NIkki Bartlett.