Team Intrinsic’s Matthew Cox pulled off a late season podium win at the weekend finishing 3rd overall in the gruelling Ben Nevis Braveheart Triathlon.
In his first Braveheart, Matt completed the 70.2 mile course in a time of 5 hours 58 minutes. Teammate and Intrinsic Facilities Engineering MD placed first in category and 27th overall in 7 hours 5 minutes.
The Ben Nevis Braveheart is billed by organisers as one of the UK’s toughest triathlons. It comprises a 1.2 mile sea loch swim, a 56 mile circular road cycle and a 13 mile hill run to the summit of Ben Nevis and back.
“The course was dramatic and stunning in equal measure,” reflected Chris, who shaved an hour off his 2016 finish. “The downhill stretch of the cycle and the run just about made up for the thermal shock entering Loch Linnie, and the physical and psychological challenge of ascending Ben Nevis.”
The pair’s podium success comes barely a month after battling round the Breca Gower endurance event to finish second all-male team. “Braveheart is a bruising course,” added IFM-sponsored athlete Matt, “which demands 100 per cent dedication to organisation, discipline and teamwork, be it pre-event preparation or on the day. It’s where Team Intrinsic excels. Furthermore the punishing conditions of Wales’ Breca Gower proved fantastic preparation for the Scottish climate and topography.”
Matt will round off the season with some late autumn events, before turning his sights to qualifying for GB age group at sprint/Olympic distance in 2018. By contrast, Chris heads to the decidedly warmer climes of Mexico in November to compete in Ironman Los Cabos.
2017 Team Intrinsic Triathlon Season Highlights
September: Ben Nevis Braveheart – Matt Cox, 3rd (5:58). Chris Roberts, 1st in category and 27th overall (7:05)
August: Breca Gower Challenge (swimrun endurance) – Team Intrinsic, 2nd all-male team and 4th overall (6:39:00)
July: A J Bell London Triathlon (Olympic course) – Matt Cox, Winner (sub two-hour PB in 1:59:33). Chris Roberts, 4th in category with new course PB (2:21:25). Ben Richards (2:25:45). Jon Cox, guest Team Intrinsic athlete (2:39:54)
July: Croyde Ocean Tri (Olympic ‘plus’ course) – Matt Cox, 2nd (2:25:15). Jon Cox, guest Team Intrinsic athlete (3:31:24)
July: JLL Property Triathlon (sprint course) – Matt Cox, 8th overall (1:05:57). Chris Roberts, 10th in category with new course PB (1:15:49). Ben Richards, 7th in category with new course PB (1:10:10). Ben Ferguson, new course PB (1:32:48)
June: 32Gi Eastbourne Tri (sprint-plus course) – Matt Cox, 4th overall after elite men (1:06:49). Chris Roberts, 4th in category and 29th overall (1:21:03)
May: The Immortal Half (ironman) – Chris Roberts, 8th in category and 83rd overall (05:53:36)
