Despite a damp start, it was a day on which records tumbled in all categories. On the short course, Robin Drewett knocked nearly two minutes off his previous time to come second in 28:18, while Christopher Clarke clocked 26:26 to take first place and a new Course Record.
Out on the 2-lap Long Course, Mark Wilkinson put in another great performance to come first in another new record, 32:58, eclipsing the previous best which he set in April by over a minute. John Poole stormed both run sections and actually crossed the line first, but picked up a drafting penalty which left him a close second in 33:24. Fourth overall, and third in the Open category, was Michael Sandick in 36:42.
The women's Long Course race was won by Tamsin Chick (who finished third overall) in yet another Course Record of 35:53, a good 4 minutes ahead of Alex Brown's April time that was the previous best on the course. Sharon Coultart was runner up again, this time a minute quicker than in her previous race with a time of 41:00, and third place went to Susannah Learoyd-Smith who finished her first ever Duathlon in 44:09.
Thanks again to everyone who came along and made a great day of it. Our next race is our biggest of the year, the 3x1 Mile Relay in Eastville Park which welcomes club teams, veteran teams, junior teams, family teams - you name it! You can sign up a team of three for as little as 6 pounds (9 pounds for unaffiliated runners) and a free ice cream at the finish is included. Online entries for the relay are at Fabian4 - https://www.fabian4.co.uk/default.aspx?EventID=3705
Our next Duathlon is on September 8th, a more traditional time in the calendar for run/bike/run, so we're hoping for a bigger race. https://uk.srichinmoyraces.org/self-transcendence-go-tri-bike-run-tockington-manor-school. Who knows, with dry roads we might see those records beaten again?