BOLTON Triathlete Neil Raby achieved a new personal best time at the inaugural Gloria Ironman 70.3 in Turkey recently.

It was a third and final race of the year for Raby who also successfully completed Ironman UK in Bolton and another in Barcelona prior to his trip to Turkey.

And the Bolton Tri Club member completed the 1.2-mile swim/56-mile bike ride/13.2-mile run in six hours.

It may have ended successfully for Raby but it was a trip not without obstacles prior to the event.

Raby explained: "Having visited Turkey many times in the past I had an idea it was going to be hot but when I arrived it was sweltering.

"This was not helped by the confusion my bike box caused to the transfer arrangements from the airport to the hotel.

"However the Turkish people being helpful as always, this was soon resolved.

"I stayed in the spa in town of Belek which was close to the swim start and not far from the T2 area and swim finish.

"This gave me the opportunity to see were we would swim and also visit the finish line in the Gloria sports arena.

"The most eventful time of the trip was going on the local roads to test the bike after I had rebuilt it, knowing what the Turkish drivers are like.

"As race day approached the weather remained hot (averaging 31 degrees most days) and at times stormy.

"The storms thankfully subsided on race day but it did make the sea very choppy for the swim.

"I arrived at the swim start with plenty of time to spare or so I thought.

"Everybody with an IPhone (including me) had not realised the clock on their phones had reset overnight to GMT.

"This resulted in a lot of rushing around from most people realising it was only 20 minutes to the start and having no breakfast was not the best preparation."

Once Raby got going on the complex M-shaped course, he admits he found it tough battling a choppy sea and heading the wrong direction at one point.

He completed the swim in 37 minutes and picked up his bike.

The first 10 miles went through countryside with stunning views of the mountains and ancient city ruins and Raby said the support from the locals was fantastic.

After a steep hill climb, it was into the second half of the ride and Raby said that was an experience.

He added: "On the return loop we were given access to the ancient colosseum which was both beautiful and inspiring.

"We returned to the main town of Belek were we rode into T2 to start the run from the sports arena.

"I was pleased with the ride and completed it in a PB time of 2hrs 57mins.

"Once on the run the full heat hit you and it was not long before I was thinking I may have gone too hard on the bike leg.

"However, after getting through the first mile I got into a rhythm and arrived at the first water station where the cold sponges were a relief.

"The run course was relatively flat – nothing like Bolton – and took us through the world famous Montgomery golf course before we headed back the same way to the arena."

It completed a hectic year for Raby, competing all over the world.

He added: "I would like to thank everybody who has supported me during this year of racing including Ray McGloin at Tri-Rivington and everybody at Bolton Tri club.

"This has been my most successful year of racing and I am now looking forward to going to Miami and Barcelona next year."