THE triathlon season is now winding down, having been on the go since March, and Ayrodynamic Triathlon Club members are looking to take a well-earned rest, get into winter training, while several will take on some cyclo-cross racing and cross country running.

However, there have been some excellent end of season performances.

Davie Auchie, Lorna Todd and Alastair Stewart took the long road North for the Scottish Standard Distance Championships

in Aberdeenshire.

The weather was grim, and the Loch where the swim was held was very cold after days of rain.

Despite this, Lorna Todd put in a fighting effort to take silver in the veteran female category, and Alastair Stewart grabbed another silver in the vintage male competition.

This was a particularly gutsy effort, as Alastair’s swimming is the weakest aspect of his triathlon, and he found himself again coming out the water trailing several rivals. He caught all but one with a strong bike and super fast run. Unfortunately, Davie Auchie didn't fare so well, at the end of what has been a great season. He emerged from the water extremely cold, and on the bike in the rain, he was simply unable to perform to his usual high standards. In fact, he was verging on hypothermia when he finished.

Another Auchie, Davie's son Marc headed to Rotterdam to compete in the European Sprint Finals, on a bike course which verged on the dangerous, using narrow footpaths which sometimes zig-zagged between the concrete pillars of overhead motorways. He finished safely in a very good time of 1 hour 20 minutes.

There were more medals for Ayrodynamic athletes in the Ayrshire Hill Running Championships.

The event is decided over the best three results of five races, and Stuart Hawthorn, was third equal, to take a superb bronze medal. The veteran has completed several Iron Man triathlons, and clearly put his strength and determination to good use on the hills. Iain Ferguson finished 21st in the same competition.

Angus Peden took second place overall in the Mid Argyll Sprint held in Lochgilphead, and won the veteran category, particularly pleasing in his home area.

Alan Hiddleston also took part, and posted the fastest swim of the day, finishing high up the final placings.

A man who does not want to stop racing is Wullie Allan, who has probably done more events than anyone else in the club this season. The veteran completed the Welsh Iron Man Triathlon just two weeks ago in just over 12 hours.

That involved 3.8 kms of swimming in the sea, 112 miles cycling, which was far from flat, and a marathon run of 26.2 miles. A fortnight later he was competing in, and finishing, the Ben Nevis Triathlon at Fort William. The very cold swim in Loch Linnhe was followed by a 25-mile cycle, followed by an ascent of Britain’s highest mountain.

Joining Wullie in this demanding challenge was Graeme Wyllie, who completed it in a very respectable time and position.

A new member to the club - Alan Waddington - completed his first ever multi-sport event when he took part in the Peebles Duathlon in 1 hour 48 minutes.

The club organised its second Aquathon ( swim and run) for youngsters between 8 and 16 at Prestwick Pool, and saw a record entry of more than 100 kids.

The racing was enthusiastic, as was the support, and the event was again superbly directed by Lyndsey Blair.

The aim behind these events is to introduce young people to the sport of Triathlon, and participants arrived from all over Scotland. It was particularly encouraging to see so many members of the club youth section, led by Ross Muirhead, taking part, doing well and enjoying their sport.

Perhaps the next ‘Brownlie’ was taking their first steps here.

Finally, the Barassie Sea Swims continue, and information can be found on Facebook under that heading.

The ponds have cooled down, but the sea remains relatively warm.