Luck beset by misfortune in Duathlon tussle: a close-fought race on foot and bike, at a well attended event was the organisers' and spectators' reward on the National Triathlon section's first officially organised event - triathalon

On what turned out to be one of the hottest days of the summer, even though this was the middle of September, 77 competitors turned up for the first officially organised race of the National Triathlon section. A duathlon race consists of three distances and two disciplines (run and bike) which requires competitors to run and bike to cover the course distance of 40 km, in this race it was 'run bike run' covering 5.5 km, 30 km and 4.5 km respectively.

The course was in the grounds of the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-the Marsh and was ideal as there was no traffic (well almost) for competitors to negotiate and fairly flat. The run was predominantly off the airfield and took in the administrative areas with the bike course on the airfield, again keeping the course separated reducing the risk of accidents.

The race promised to be fast and very competitive with Andy Hardy (Cleveland) the recently crowned Fire Service National Champion and Ivan Luck (West Sussex) who, if on form, would press Hardy all the way to the finish line. Other Fire Service stalwarts competing amongst others were David Teggart (West Yorkshire), Gary Coles (Devon), Karen Thacker (Oxfordshire) and Steve Dutton (Oxfordshire). The race was set, the weather perfect with a gentle breeze that would cool the competitors and then they were off.

As predicted Ivan Luck went out in front, being pressed by Ian Ford (Basingstoke Tri) with Andy Hardy firmly on their shoulders (right) as the competitors turn right off the airfield on to the main road running through the college. The pace was fast as they ran down the gentle incline and turned left towards the woods and around the sports field (two laps).

As the leading group emerged from the woods for the second time it had been reduced from six to three with Luck and Ford shoulder to shoulder and Hardy tucked in just behind them. The leading female at this time was Michelle Parsons who had set a fast pace and was well out in front of her next nearest rival Rosie Deer who was being pressed by Karen Thacker (Oxfordshire). As the competitors came into transition the race order remained the same with Luck and Ford getting into their saddles first, followed by Hardy. Ivan Luck soon started to show his cycling abilities and by the first lap had put some considerable distance between himself and Hardy who had now taken second position from Ford. Luck was setting a blistering pace on the bike course and was increasing his lead, however misfortune was soon to strike as Ivan Luck punctured on the third of five laps of the course, leaving Andy Hardy the front-runner. The leading female Michelle Parsons continued to increase the gap between her and Rosie Deer with Karen Thacker pressing Deer hard with Joanne Morrow bearing down on Thacker, however Parsons was without doubt burning up the field and taking no prisoners on this hot Saturday afternoon!

Andy Hardy continued to increase the pressure on Ford who could not stay with him and came into transition with a good lead, which he never relinquished on the run and came home with a commanding lead in a time of 1:19:28 with Michelle Parsons (female winner) with a time of 1:31:13. In respect to Ford he also went the same way as Ivan Luck and punctured on the last lap.

After the race the competitors and guests assembled in the Edinburgh dining room for sandwiches and refreshments followed by the presentation of trophies by Tom Carroll (FSSAA Vice Chair). Tom Carroll praised the competitors for their athletic abilities and the race organisers for organising a 'superb event', and of course the marshals for ensuring safety and fair play.

Race                Contact                              Date

Hatfield South      A Pidduck 01302 721 447              July 27th
Yorkshire

Bala Half Ironman   Julian Hunter --                     June 1st
                    Julian.hunter@virgin.net

Chester Olympic     chestertri@chestertri.org.uk or      June 29th
Distance            www.chestertri.org.uk
(Deva Triathlon)

Tyne & Wear         Eddie Cooper --                      August 17th
                    Support.services@twfire.org

Fire Service        Martin Crapper --                    September 20th
College Duathlon    Martin.crapper@oxfordshire.gov.uk    (Saturday)

Rippon NYPD         Iain Wallace --                      July 14th
Olympic Distance    iainjo@querande.freeserve.co.uk

RESULTS

1st Male Senior-Andy Hardy
(Cleveland)        01:19:28
2nd Male Senior-Dave Teggart
(West Yorks)       01:22:07
3rd Male Senior-Stephen Castle
(Kent)             01:24:18

1st Female Senior-Michelle Parsons
01:31:13
2nd Female Senior-Rosie Deer
(no club)           1:34:54
3rd Female Senior-Joanne Morrow
(Humberside)        1:38:59

1st Male Vet-Mick Flaherty
(West Yorkshire)   01:23:36
2nd Male Vet-Mark Frost
(London)           01:29:09
3rd Male Vet-Steve Dutton
(Oxfordshire)      01:29:25

Fire Service Team Winners--Devon
with best overall combined

time.

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