Biathle World Championships

Gregan Clarkson (24) from Kirk Ella has become the 2006 Biathle World Champion at the 8th World Biathle Championships held this year at Salford Quays. Gregan, a part time lifeguard is one of only three athletes in the world who has competed at every World Championships since the event began back in Monaco in 1999. This is the 1st time Gregan has become World Champion, his previous best was world Junior Silver medallist in Sardinia 2002.

The distances for the event were 1500m run, 200m open water swim and another 1500m run consecutively. The event also includes a transition between the three elements, as you must take your shoes off before the swim and then back on for the final run.

This years event saw the swim element take place in the Salford Quays with the running element taking place on the roads surrounding the quays under the shadows of Old Trafford Football Ground.

The event saw Gregan take on athletes from 6 continents from countries, Australia, South Africa, Korea, India, Venezuela, Cuba, Germany and Italy to name but a few. His winning time was 12 minutes 23 seconds, six seconds ahead of Christopher Lionett from South Africa in 2nd place and 12 seconds from fellow GB competitor Jon Fletcher in 3rd place.

Gregan says "this is by far the proudest moment in my life and beats the Silver medal I won in Sardinia in 2002". "I have waited a long time for this and it proves that hard work and training pays off eventually".

Gregan wishes to thank his coaches, Andy Lyons at Kingston upon Hull AC and Dave Young at Hull Masters SC and to those people who have helped throughout the last 12 months. Gregan will be looking to defend his title in Monaco in September 2007.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Gregan
• Clarkson

[KreisaucircleSA]

I participated in Monte Carlo in 1999. It is a pity that the marketing for biathle is poor or non - existent. Because of the distances, it has potential for mass participation. But nobody knows about it!

[mantasoul]

Go gregan lol, hope u do well in south africa this yr.

[miley1410]

go gregan-cya soon lol

[monolook]

thi is pretty cool but the girl i annoying on GO gregan realy loud in the camra but good job ny wy