PACTRAC held their Annual Mid-Distance Triathlon from Oundle Pool on Bank Holiday Monday.
Distances were:
swim 900 yards. 18 lengths of the pool.
bike 20 miles. 2 laps of the Mini-Series course around Glapthorn and the Benefield's with a couple of nasty climbs and a couple of fast sections including the 1-mile downhill stretch between the Benefield's as well as the downhill section leading past Oundle Golf course.
run 5 miles. Including a loop around Glapthorn and Cotterstock.
38 competitor's lined up on a dry, sunny morning with little wind. The swim was very competitive, with Nathan Tweedie hitting traffic, but still coming out in 10:28 minutes, 2:05 minutes ahead of second placed Simon Hoppe. 20 swimmers emerged, with Simon leading 21st placed Chris Brennan by a mere 53 seconds. Charlie Brookes followed after a further 32 seconds.
The bike was very competitive, as usual, and consisted of a 20-mile 2-lap undulating course. Each lap had 2 main hills to contend with, as well as 2 good downhill stretches, so a very sporting course. With the added spice of competing against fellow club mates of similar ability, the racing was fierce throughout the field.
Antony Brown had the fastest bike split of the day, and pulled clear of the field, to lead Simon Hoppe into T2 by 7 seconds. Jimmy Robinson was 3rd out of the water, and having finally caught up with Nathan, moved back into 3rd position on the bike leg.
4 athletes, none of whom wanted to give way, then came into T2 within 13 seconds of each other. Rob Hammond was away on the run first, but was soon caught and passed by Wayne Stainsby. Both athletes passed Jimmy and Antony on the run. Wayne had the fastest run of the day but was only pulling Nathan in very slowly, and ran out of road and had to settle for 3rd, just 5 seconds behind Nathan by the finish.
Simon had the 2nd fastest swim, 2nd fastest bike and the 2nd fastest run. Consistency paid off, as he set off on the run 1:33 ahead of Jimmy and 1:41 ahead of Nathan. In the end he won the event comfortably, with a 1:50 winning margin over Nathan.
Roz Giles was the first lady in 21st position overall, and takes an early lead in the Ladies Club Championships.
Results are on http://pactrac.co.uk/events/2286/
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The 2014 BUCS Sprint Triathlon Championships were held for the 10th consecutive year at St Mary's School, Calne, Wiltshire.
Distances were:
swim 750m
Bike 16 miles
Run 3 miles.
118th. Kim Bell 9:06 47:14 20:53 = 77:13 14th Female.