Blenheim Triathlon Sunday 21st May

Report by Rob Harper

This is one of the biggest events of the tri calendar with about 2700 people racing over two days, in both super-sprint and sprint distances. It is obviously, though, a long way from Manchester and I wouldn't have bothered but for the fact that I got in for free, and I'm not one to look a gift-horse in the mouth.

Arrived far too early at a very damp and dreary looking Blenheim Palace - yes, like just about every other event this weekend it was going to be a wet one. Got my timing chip then racked my bike in the massive transition area in the courtyard of the palace - very impressive. Eventually it was time to wetsuit up and head down to the swim start, down a very slippy grass bank (I was in the 2nd wave of the day and lord only knows how bad this was later).

Bizarely the lake (16C) was actually warmer than the air temperature, so everyone was very keen to get into the water. The 750m swim was out straight for 550m or so then dog-leg to the left to the exit. My first open water swim in a race and I would even go so far as to say I enjoyed it - clearly wasn't trying hard enough! Swim exit to transition was a 400m uphill run. Not too much fun at the time and bruised heels the next day confirmed this.

Out on the bike for 19.8km in three laps, all on closed roads in the estate. In good conditions I reckon this would be quite quick, even though it is a reasonably technical course. However given the conditions (and also the sheer number of bikes on the course) care had to be taken - although not by the guy I saw who did a textbook two-wheel-then-hip slide right across the road. Ouch.

By the end of the last lap I was starting to get quite cold so T2 was a bit fumbled. But out onto the 5.4km run and I felt pretty strong. Two laps around a lake then to the finish for tea and medals (well, foil blanket, water and medal). A good day out, even given the foul weather.

Full results here

Position	Name	Swim	T1	Bike	T2	Run	Overall
180	Rob Harper	17.10	4.36	37.14	1.50	22.12	1:23:03

Back to main results page