Race Report Beyond Mountain Bikes Black Park Duathlon

As the promoting club made the final preparations for the event in the morning, the heavens opened with thunder and lighting in the air, it was looking pretty ominous for the event and no doubt a number of likely competitors rolled over in their duvets and decided today was going to be a duvet day..

Those that did make the journey to this venue, renowned as a film location and home to mountain biking for a number of years were rewarded for their bravery, for as the start time approached with impeccable timing the rain stopped and their was a mixture of sunshine and clouds for the whole event.

Those on the start line included defending champion Jim McConnel, local top athlete Rick Featherston but the star name in the field was Ex Terra winner Ian Leitch looking very lean as he racked his bike.

The event started of with a 3 mile run and it was no surprise to see Leitch appeared at the transition area 1st, not far behind was Andy Weanes with McConnel doing his best to defend his title in 3rd,the leading lady at this stage was Elle Gosling in a close tussle with Fay Cripps.

On to the bike and Leitch showed he was able to master the course which was a combination of fast forest tracks and tight single track. After a slow 1st Lap on the bike McConnel started matching Leitch on the bike as he moved into second but into the final run Leitch produced a series of sub 6 minute miles to take victory. McConnel came in second but had the consolation of finishing 1st in the veterans class., next to finish was Featherstone for 2nd in the vets with Nigel Grantham, Pedal On completing the podium. Weanes could not match his run speed on the bike and finished 4th overall to take 2nd in the open category with GS Henleys Gavin Spiers 3rd. 

In the ladies class Fay Cripps soon showed her class on the bike overhauling early pace setter Gosling and cruised around the last run for a comfortable win with Southdown Velo team mate Julia Hammond taking 2nd with Gosling dropping to 3rd.In the Ladies veterans class Maggie Bryant took top spot from Vivian Tindley whilst Karen Sawkins this time paired with Jenny Zaremba took her 3rd Ladies double title as they beat WDMBC team mates Jules Fox and Alison Donelan.

In the men’s pair it was also a 1, 2 for the promoting club the West Drayton MBC as Nicholas and Chris Try took the honours

With great timing soon after the prize presentations with some great prizes having being handed out thanks to sponsors Beyond Mountain Bikes, Go Ape and the Bucks Off Road Sportive the heavens once again opened but to late to spoil a great days racing.

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