3 PACTRACers qualified for the World 70.3 Half-Ironman Championships, which took place in Mont Tremblant, Canada.
Distances were:
Swim 1.2 miles including a sprint down the beach, into the lake.
Bike 56 miles including some sharp rises and sweeping turns.
Run 13.1 miles in Temperature's of 80oF. 2 laps, some off-road.
Paul said: "Well what a race, poor swim, solid bike, average run on dodgy ankle but 137th in the World... (9th A/G),"
Roger said: "During the week I had ridden the course a couple of times so I had a solid plan figured out. Stick to the power numbers unless passed, then ride hard and stay with them. I made up a few places on the bike but knew the only way I was going to bag a result was to run the life out of my legs.
I set out on the run in 21st place and had my work cut out, but a result was within my grasp if I was prepared to suffer a little.
I set out to see how many competitors I could hoover up in the first lap. I passed nine in my Age Group by the time I hit the turn. Figuring I was in with a shot of a top ten I eased up for the next 3 miles to consolidate and prepare for the final all-out effort. I picked off two more before I wound myself up for the final 3 miles, wanting to finish with a sense I had left it all out there and delivered the run I was capable of. I pushed, zoned out, racing every step until I crossed the line certain I had given my best over the 13.1 miles.
Ultimately I had raced hard and felt certain I had bagged the top ten result I coveted but importantly also nailed a fast run to build confidence for my season’s finale in Kona in October. I had come 8th. I was thrilled as it was beyond my expectations and a massive bonus for the season. It still hasn’t sunk in and I guess it won’t until a certain race in October is over."
Roger's full report can be found here: http://pactrac.co.uk/forums/topic/594/
138. Paul Lunn..................30:41....2:21:25....1:26:07..=..4:18:13..AG 9.
432. Roger Canham.........30:56....2:36:08....1:25:43..=..4:32:47..AG 8.
895. Dave Patmore-Hill....32:03....2:44:40....1:33:43..=..4:50:26..AG 102.
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The big National Race this weekend was the Bala Standard Distance Triathlon; which was a Qualifier for next year's European Championships, so PACTRAC's 3 athlete's were up against a quality field. Wind and rain met the competitor's, over the distances of: swim 1500 meters, bike 25 miles, run 6.25 miles.
72. Richard Moys..........24:00....63:25....39:39..=..2:07:04..AG 15.
168. Wayne Stainsby....25:10....71:02....39:52..=..2:16:04..AG 23.
Jimmy Robinson got a puncture and wasn't able to finish. Jimmy said:"Game over... I had a great swim, good T1 then riding to WATTS and feeling good. Then 4 miles in I got a flat............Long walk back then:-("
Jimmy recorded 25:03 for the swim.
In the previous day's 1500 meter charity swim over the same course, Jimmy had come 15th in 25:33.
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Tracy McCartney competed in "Man verses Mountain" - a 20-mile running race up Mount Snowden. Tracy reached the Summit in 2:30:05 but wasn't finished there.
Competitor's not only had a 20 mile mountainous run to the summit of Snowdon and back down; but they also tackled an array of punishing obstacles in Dinorwic Quarry, including the Merrell “All Out” Vertical Kilometre, an abseil and a stream of water based challenges.
Tracy commented: "I had The most amazing race yesterday at Man vs Mountain - great weather, stunning views and 35mins quicker than last year... roll on next year".
49th out of 753 runners. 5th Female. 4:23:16.
This is Tracy's blog from last year. Did she say ... she was first lady home in 2013. http://tracytriathlonmccartney.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/man-vs-mountain-7th-sept-13/
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PACTRAC had some good representation in the Market Harborough Triathlon over the distances of:
swim 400 meters.
bike 14.5 miles.
run 3 miles.
All 5 competitors were on the Podium, with 3 getting 1st in their respective Age Groups. Some good competition was had with Antony Brown, Rob Hammond and Dave Allsop finishing 4-6th overall, just outside of the top 3. The main difference between them was on the bike, which is Antony's speciality, whilst Dave was still recovering from his recent efforts in Ironman Copenhagen.
Ros Goatly was 2nd lady overall and said: "Market harborough Tri...was hot and hilly!!"
4. Antony Brown.......6:44....40:16....20:54..=..67:54..AG 1st.
5. Rob Hammond.....6:41....41:47....19:39..=..68:07..AG 1st.
6. Dave Allsop..........6:39....43:01....19:19..=..68:59..AG 2nd.
34. Ros Goatly.........7:06....48:18....23:15..=..78:39..AG 1st + 2nd lady.
64. Jo Lee................6:43....51:13....26:52..=..84:48..AG 3rd.
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Giles Cooper competed in his 2nd Half-Ironman distance Triathlon in 3-weeks, but this time had some decent conditions to race in, with little wind and a warm dry day, on a good course.
Giles finished 4th overall but 1st vet 40+ in the Wild Boar Middle-Distance Triathlon at Market Bosworth.
Distances were:
swim 1.2 miles - 2 1/2 laps in a small lake.
bike 51 miles - 4 scenic laps with a couple of undulations to keep things interesting.
run 13.5 miles - 4 out and back laps on a slightly over distance run.
Giles said: "I had a solid swim and bike and was slightly surprised to find myself in 7th position at the start of the run and really pleased to make up three places during the run. Will definitely be back to support this event again and great value too."
4.0 Giles Cooper....36:30....2:34:03....1:39:08..=..4:49:41.. AG 1st.
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Kim Bell was 10th overall, 2nd female and 2nd in her Age Group at the Stanton Lakes Triathlon.
Distances were:
swim 750 meters in the lake.
bike 12.5 miles.
run 3 miles.
10. Kim Bell....8:52....43:50....22:05..=..74:47..AG 2nd.
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Richard Nixon chose to compete in the Helvelyn Triathlon; a tough test over hilly terrain.
swim 1 mile in Ullswater - "England's most beautiful lake" where it is always cold.
bike 38 miles including riding up the infamous Kirkstone Pass.
run 9 miles up Helvellyn - 3118 feet - England's 3rd highest peak (only 75 feet less than the highest).
The run section is 90% on rough track and goes onto the highest fells in the country. You had to take a bag containing full body cover, foil survival blanket, whistle and suitable map of the route. The organiser's described this as "far from an ordinary triathlon run route", with the temperature on the top often close to freezing, probably in cloud and raining.
This is the only UK based race in Triathlete Europe's Top 10 Toughest Races on the Planet. It's a very challenging race.
294. Richard Nixon....5:01:10....24:43....2:16:28....2:19:59..=..5:01:10.
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Nathan Tweedie came 20th out of 93 competitors in the Junior European Triathlon Cup at Nottingham. Nathan was competing against the best Junior athletes in Europe and having held his own in the swim, came in with the lead group of cyclists, in a big bunch; it was all down to the run.
Swim - 750 meters. (pontoon dive start) 1 lap.
Bike - 12.5 miles. 4 laps.
Run - 3 miles. 2 laps of 1.5 miles.
20. Nathan Tweedie....9:26....27:57....16:25..=..53:48
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St.Neots Standard Distance.
137. James Rhodes....42:23....1:44:44....1:06:10..=..3:33:17..AG 19.