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Edinburgh's Will Johnston, who finished second in the Youth section of the British Elite Duathlon Championships in Leicestershire this April, collected his first triathlon title of the season at Oxfordshire's magnificent Blenheim Palace yesterday.
The Edinburgh 16 year old emerged joint first from the 400m swim with his Fife friend Cameron Milne. Then the two worked together in wet conditions to forge a considerable lead on the 10km bike section. But on the 2500m run Johnston had the faster set of legs, finishing some 19 seconds ahead of Milne in 43:31 minutes.
“It had been chucking down with rain which made it quite a tough race and a few points on the road were flooded,” said Johnston.
“It was great to win and it’s my favourite race and certainly the most scenic venue I’ve competed in.”
Originally a runner and swimmer, as a 12 year old Johnston saw triathlon as “a natural progression.” He has been a member of the Scottish squad for two years, is coached in the pool by John McPhail at Portobello Swimming Club, does his running training with Edinburgh Triathletes, his triathlon coaching under triathlon Scotland National Coach, Chris Volley and has cycle training and support with Edinburgh Road Club.
Offering further support this year is the East of Scotland Institute of Sport, part of the Area Institutes of Sport network which provides high performance expertise to Scotland’s potential world class talent. In being selected for ESIS Johnston has access to essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, and career and lifestyle guidance.
Winning the Blenheim Triathlon partly makes up for what Johnston felt was a bitterly disappointing fourth place in the Eton Youth Triathlon a fortnight ago. By not getting away with the first group of cyclists he never stood a chance of being in contention for the title. The race had acted as the qualifier for British team competing in this summer’s European Youth Relay. In consolation Johnston will still travel with the team.
“I’ve been asked to be the reserve for that team so down I’m going down to the GB training camp in Loughborough this Friday,” he added. “Then in July I may be doing a European junior race in Luxembourg.”
Following that Johnston will look forward to the British Championships in August.
