Helvellyn Triathlon, Sunday 10th September 2006.

Report by David Waterhouse

It was a beautiful day for the Helvellyn Triathlon with good racing conditions. My day started with a bit of an extra challenge as my car had to be rescued and pulled by a tractor at the campsite as it got stuck in the morning dew.

The temperature in Ullswater was a bit cold to start off with, but was ok after a few strokes. The water quality was good and so clear that you could see the reeds beneath you. The triangular course seemed over and done with all too quickly and there were mutterings that it was a bit less than 1500m. Anyway, we had to be out of the water by 10.00 am. to avoid the first Steamer of the day!

The bike course started with a steady hill, later joined the busy dual carriageway to Keswick, went passed Thirlmere and on through Grasmere and Ambleside which were quite busy with holiday traffic. The ascent of the Kirkstone Pass then began which was a bit of a shock as I hadn’t made it down to the recce week-end. The road seemed to go straight up and continued to do so. As the climb progressed a lot of riders started to walk. I managed to stay in the saddle until I hit some gravel at the side of the road and fell into some stinging nettles. Pride restored, I got back on the bike and honked up to the summit. The summit was very fast (one lad told me he got up to 53 mph!) and then a fast return to T2.

I picked up my pack (which had to include full body waterproofs, compass, whistle and map of route) and headed towards the path to Helvellyn. People ahead of me were running slowly and then stopped and started to walk. I didn’t realise that the “run” consisted of striding up some big steps which was very slow going. The route was a lot easier to follow than I had feared which was aided greatly by the good visibility. Anyway, after a short scramble I made it to the top of Swirral Edge and started the path downwards. I could now start to run and pick up some speed. Eventually Ullswater came back into sight which was a relief. As I got to the finish, I heard on the loudspeaker that the presentations were about to begin. After over 6 hours racing I just wanted to go home. So I packed up and set off, satisfied after a good day out. I hope to return next year and do a better time now that I am accustomed to the route.

Good results by all MTC members except me, but I was just glad to finish.

Results (1500m(ish)/38mi/8mi)

Name	Club	Swim	Bike	Run	Total	Cat Pos	Pos
marc laithwaite	-				03.36.22	1	1
Luke Walsh	MTC	00.31.33	02.10.58	01.37.40	04.20.12	33	63
Tristan Saunders	MTC	00.25.04	02.06.00	02.00.21	04.31.25	13	105
Charlie Baker	MTC	00.26.54	02.04.20	02.00.28	04.31.43	30	107
Gudrun Ravetz	MTC	00.28.16	02.22.44	02.00.05	04.51.06	5	186
David Waterhouse	MTC	00.36.41	02.48.34	03.00.29	06.25.45	114	366

Plenty of good photos on website: www.trihard.co.uk.

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