A MONMOUTH Triathlon Club duo are celebrating race triumphs in the Ironman Portugal-Cascais, reports KELLY SALTER.

Competing in the women’s 45 to 49 age group, Claire Jackson took on a 2.4-mile swim in Cascais Bay on the Atlantic coast, a 112-mile bike ride along the Portuguese Riveria and around the Estoril Formula 1 circuit, finishing with a hilly 26.2 run which ended in the heart of Cascais town.

Finishing in 11 hours 40 minutes 53 seconds, and coming 43rd out of 164 women, Claire’s exhausting effort has qualified her for the 2025 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

“It all came together on race day – with a few little dramas in the build-up,” she said.

“I had a great swim and bike, and although my run wasn’t my best, considering I’ve had a lot of time off this year due to an ankle injury and hadn’t done as much training as I would have liked, I somehow got round and came home in fifth and grabbed a qualification spot.”

Racing at the same venue in the Ironman 70.3, Phil Bryant tackled a 1.9-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run, finishing in an impressive 6.18.20.