Redditch Triathlon Sunday 21st May

Report by John Murray

This was the third time that the National Sprint Championships have been held at Redditch, however, this was my first time here and my first Triathlon of the season. The forecast was for the weekend was miserable and for once the forecast was correct. I arrived to find a well set up event, what you would expect really from British Triathlon.

There were four Man Tri members (Rob Harvey, Paul Schofield, Vicki Wade and myself) and Paul Hawkins and Chris Standidge representing Royle's at the event.

The swim was a triangular course in a lake, apparently the water was 16oC but felt much colder. Visibility was poor through the yellow/green top layer of the lake. It seems that all of the competitors were keen to get to the front and everyone reported that they had been bashed, kicked or swum over at least once.

Transition was by now very boggy and muddy with marshalls shouting to slow down as it became treacherous under foot on both the bike out and then even worse on the bike in. The bike leg would have been significantly quicker in the dry, but still proved to be quick for those near the front. My lack of winter riding became evident after 25mins when I struggled up the only climb.

The run took in the scenery of the park out and around the lake. As the weather was so poor the paths were less populated with early morning dog walkers so again quick times were recorded.

Paul Hawkins finished 4th overall and 3rd in his category. Rob Harvey followed him in an excellent time of 1:04:56 to finish 6th in cat and 24th overall. Congratulations go to Paul Schofield who has returned to triathlon after a few years out and recorded a very good time for his first event. Vicki Wade was our only female representative and finished in a time of 1:17:15 and said that for a change she actually enjoyed the bike!

This was a well run event that was easy to find and even the awful weather couldn't dampen the atmosphere. I would recommend this to people to enter next year as a good warm up for the season.

Position	Name	Swim	Bike	Run	Overall
4	Paul Hawkins	10.55	33.49	17.13	01.02.33
24	Rob Harvey	12.06	34.22	18.28	01.04.56
33	Chris Standidge	10.36	35.36	19.31	01.05.44
184	John Murray	14.48	40.38	21.42	01.17.12
186	Vicki Wade	13.36	#	#	01.17.15
208	Paul Schofield	15.26	42.55	20.50	01.19.13

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