Race Report: Marlborough Triathlon

By Ian Wells

This is only one of the concept sports triathlons I had not done before, and with Ironman Austria looming up, this race came at the right time as a measure of my fitness. The day was really perfect, it was not going to be too hot and a slight breeze from the North West.

Most courses I do I first drive around but this time I had no time to do so, therefore not sure what to expect on the bike. The swim was fine as any pool wake up can be, onto the bike and away, however, this course is a drag just getting out of the town, then onto the high road  to Hackpen Hill, another 4 miles of drag, just felt like one can’t get going and at this point only averaging 27 Km /h. Then it starts. The steep decent down the hill and away, from no w on I was cranking the highest gears pushing as hard as possible, t he course now was flat, with the A4 wide, flat and tail wind this wa s great going. By the time I had reached T2 my average time had come up to 35 Km/h, giving me a split time of 56.37. Into the run, which is approx 5 miles and slightly up hill to the turn, and back again down, with a finish of 37:21 mins.

I managed an overall time of 1:42:21 and pleased to have won my age group. Would recommend this race, especially if you like cycling! Good to see other members of STC there, who all claimed positions in the race. Just a few more training sessions and only 10 more days before we all go off to Austria.