Advertised as a 7k run (7
laps of town centre), 35k cycle, 5k run (5 laps of town centre).
I shot out at the start
like the usual bullet I am, remembered to save myself for the cycle this
time(!), and hit transition in sixth place, had slick transition and
left it in fifth place, rode like a demon for the first 5k and got
fourth place before a major accident with two motorcycles on the cycle
route (nothing to do with the event, but sad nonetheless) blocked the
road ahead and stopped the race. We all trundled back to the town centre
whilst the organisers decided what to do.
Cancelling the event was
not an option; the event is one of the European Championship qualifiers.
So a new cycle route was devised, and off we shot again. With me leading
(not sure how that happened – but being the first on the road through
the town centre and the ‘wall of sound’ from those cheering us on was
inspirational) and all the others following at 15 second intervals...
A much better cycle than
when I rode at Milton Keynes saw me enter the second run in third place
overall. A rapid five laps of the town centre in what was, by now, a hot
afternoon, saw me post the second fastest ‘Run 2’ time (again) and come
home third overall in 1:30:34, second in age group and very tired!! All
three podium places were taken by Dorset men; James Gilifillan was first
(in 1:25:47), Lee Piercy was second (in 1:26:21).
As an aside, a friend of
mine (Ian Habgood, Bournemouth AC), was racing his first ever duathlon.
With the bib number 13, and racing on the 13th, guess what position he
got? Yep, 13th. But first in his age group (25-29). Impressive stuff.
I’ve got to watch my back!
Next? National 12 Stage
for Kent AC on Saturday, Cambridge Duathlon on Sunday. No rest for the
wicked...
