Horwich RMI Triathlon 27th August 2006

Report by Viv Slack

Having considered the Rivington tri until i found an excuse (same day as the Manchester 100), the Horwich tri seemed perfect - the same bike course, a shorter indoor swim and a hilly run. The whole event was a lot more low key than a lot of the big races but was well organised and definately a challenge. Just three MTC members entered for this local race and as we were in different waves there wasn't much chance to support each other so no photos this time - sorry.

The swim was just 800m, 32 lengths of the pool so a more pleasant experience than the usual open water scrap (even for you Rob right?!). The transition was a bit crazy with a run from the pool across the road but the bike course was fantastic - good road surfaces, loads of hills and not too much traffic. I was thankful to the guy that overtook me as once i was sure i was still on the right road, i had a great ride. For the run i can only say 'ouch'! Straight off the bike you have to run uphill on road to the start of a 3 lap course and i'm sure everyone had the same thought as me : 'thank God i only have to do this once'. The run route started with a fairly steep hill off road but once over that the rest of the run was great - round a lake, through some puddles and then downhill on road ready to start again. Just twice more round and then back downhill to the finish line.

The organiser Tony Heskwith and Horwich RMI did a great job, apparently it was his 17th and last year of running it. There was good support for the prize giving at their club HQ which bears an uncanny resemblence to The Phoenix (of Phoenix Nights fame), Im sure Rob even said there was a real life Pennine Suite!! Thankfully they didn't enforce a game of bingo for the cd players, food mixers, towels, wine and cuddly toy given as prizes. It was cool to see one of our honary members on the womens trophy, a certain 'K vanschie 1996'.

A race i would definately recommend to those who are looking for a great course but aren't too fussed on glory. See you there next year...

Full results here

Name	Overall Position	Category Position	Swim [800m]	Bike [42K]	Run [10K]	Overall
Rob Harper	20	11	16.59	1:18:22	42:21	2:17:42
Viv Slack	29	1	14:07	1:22:00	48:38	2:24:45
Mark Walker	46	18	15:24	1:34:19	53:16	2:42:49

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