This qualifier event for the 2017 ETU Sprint Triathlon European Championships was held at the National water sports centre just outside Nottingham. This was a great venue, very well organised and marshalled. British Triathlon rules were enforced to the letter with only race gear allowed in transition, no towels, no bags ,no boxes,and no lucky teddy bears!
The race started with a group of about 200 swimming 750m in a pleasant 16c rowing lake. Once out of the washing machine area, both had a good swim with Malcolm Macfarlane swimming sub 13 min and Ray just above PB time 14:19. T1, was quite narrow but well organised, so there were no problems getting through and onto the bike leg. There was close scrutiny by lots of Tri England officials to ensure non-drafting on the bike leg. This included officials on motorbikes travelling around the course! Ray managed to pull back the gap Malcolm had pulled out on the swim leg, passing him after 15k on the start of the final lap of the lake. Malcolm finished the bike leg in 33.25 and Ray in a PB of 31.49.
The run was a single 5k lap of the lake. Both Wheelers quickly got into their strides, finishing with a 24.10 for Malcolm, and 21.11 for Ray. With completion times of 1.12.34 for Malcolm and 1.09.08 for Ray, giving placings of 19th and 17th place respectively. They both declared themselves happy with these placings, especially given that the winner came in with a stunning 54min.
| Age Group | Total Time | Swim | T1 | Bike | T2 | Run | |
| Malcolm Macfarlane | (M) 50-54 | 1:12:34 | 12:53 | 1:14 | 33:25 | 0:52 | 24:10 |
| Ray Reeves | (M) 50-54 | 1:09:08 | 14:19 | 1:04 | 31:49 | 0:45 | 21:11 |