3 PACTRACers raced in the early season Duathlon at GrafhamWater. This was a qualifying race for the European Duathlon
Championships next year.
Two athletes won their respective Age Groups and so have qualified
at the first attempt. The dates and venue have not yet been announced.
Distances were: run 6.25 miles, bike 25 miles, run 3 miles.
Paul Vernon won his Age Group by 4:37 minutes having taken the lead
from the off. He was also 2nd in the overall race, moving up to 2nd
in the bike section and holding onto it.
Jim Fell also used the bike to his advantage, moving up to first in
his Age Group on the bike and then holding on to win it by 4:18 minutes.
Jim has made good strides and is now catching younger athletes that he
would not have thought possible just a year ago. He commented that "It
was very windy on the bike".
Local girl Claire Steels also won her Age Group, and came home first lady
overall by a huge 2:01 minutes. She was 38 seconds down after the first run,
but beat the second placed girl by 2:02 on the bike, showing a big improvement
to that side of the sport.
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2. Paul Vernon 36:32 62:50 18:27 = 1:57:49 AG 1st.
76. Richard Nixon 49:54 70:54 25:50 = 2:26:38 AG 9.
115. Jim Fell 54:46 83:52 29:06 = 2:47:44 AG 1st.
Others:
1. Claire Steels 42:25 70:21 22:10 = 2:14:56 AG 1st.