Results

Posn	Name	Cat	Total Time	Swim	T1	Cycle	T2	Run Lap 1	Run Lap 2	Run Lap 3	Run Lap 4	Run Total
20	Owen Harries	Vet	04:42:42	00:35:33	00:04:25	02:34:34	00:02:07	00:20:47	00:21:18	00:21:58	00:22:00	01:26:03
86	Emyr Morgan	Sen	05:15:20	00:38:20	00:03:56	02:52:14	00:02:20	00:23:28	00:23:40	00:25:43	00:25:39	01:38:30
114	James Allen	Sen	05:25:14	00:30:58	00:04:29	02:59:48	00:03:13	00:26:05	00:25:57	00:27:05	00:27:39	01:46:46
159	Sally Gilbert	Vet	05:41:59	00:35:59	00:04:19	03:21:48	00:02:00	00:23:00	00:24:53	00:25:01	00:24:59	01:37:53
175	Trevor Gregory	Vet	05:48:01	00:39:30	00:04:42	03:01:46	00:01:46	00:27:10	00:29:47	00:31:55	00:31:25	02:00:17
227	Becky Mulley	Sen	06:16:53	00:46:27	00:03:50	03:26:29	00:02:37	00:28:02	00:29:27	00:29:29	00:30:32	01:57:30
	Jo Kitley	Sen		00:39:53	00:04:24	03:24:24	00:02:32

Distances: Swim 1.9km , cycle 57 miles, run 13 miles

Race Report by Owen Harries.

Five am at a hotel on the outskirts of Milton Keynes and some rather apprehensive Team Southampton triathletes are gathering for breakfast. Ahead of them lies 71 miles of racing in the Cowman middle distance triathlon. The distance would break down to a 1.2 mile lake swim, 57 mile cycle ride and to round it off a 13 mile run.
With misty weather conditions on the drive over to Emburton country park where the event was based it was no great surprise that the start had to be delayed by 15 min for safety reasons. Also helpful to be able to see which buoy you are swimming towards.
The swim was 2 laps of a lake and would start in 3 waves. First to go were the senior men including James (Allen) and Emyr (Morgan). The previously calm water turned into a thrashing of arms and legs as they set off. Next to go were the Vet men, Trevor (Gregory) and myself (Owen Harries) 4 mins later. The last wave to set off were the women with Sally (Gilbert), Becky (Mulley) and Jo (Kitley). As seems to be usual with triathlon starts the initial parts of the swim can be a bit of a scrum. After a few turn marks we all managed to get into some clear space and settle down into a good rhythm. Water quality was excellent and small fish could often be seen darting around. First to be hauled out of the lake for us was James in an excellent time of 30:58.
Into transition one and it is off with the wetsuit and on with the bike gear. Most coordinated (least uncoordinated?) of our bunch was Becky taking 3mins 50 to get out on the bike. Trevor spotting that Sally had got one arm stuck in the suit did his rescue a damsel in distress bit to pull the suit off. Did Kerry spot you taking off another woman’s clothes?
Out onto the bike and the fog / mist has mostly cleared by now, well it had once I cleaned my glasses. The bike route consisted of 2 big loops and one smaller loop. The course could best be described as rolling, some long fast descents which had to be paid for with a bit of climbing although there was one steep hill which had to be climbed on each lap. Roads were a mixture of A and B roads taking in some small villages on the way. For many this would be the longest ride they had ever undertaken but all the training miles on the bike were paying off with very respectable bike splits and average speeds. Sally was feeling the benefit of having tyres pumped up to the recommended 100psi rather than her more normal 30psi. Becky also reported setting off a speed warning sign as she sped through at more than 30mph.
I was the first to return to transition two with a bike time of 2:34:34. Its then a quick swap of shoes and out onto the run course. For Jo this was the where she had to stop as under doctors orders she is not allowed to run at present.
By this time all the early mist had well and truly burnt off and the sun was out. Temperatures were around 25 deg and with little shade on the four lap course the run was likely to be hard. After a section through the park the course climbed through Emberton village and then headed off road until it reached a ridge line. From here it was a fast off road descent back into the park. The section through the park took us around the edge of the lakes and back through transition area to start another lap. Support was good and vocal especially around the transition area. Initially there were 2 water stations but the organisers realizing the hot conditions managed to add another one while the run was taking place. On the first lap I managed to catch and pass around 5 other competitors but with more people joining I couldn’t tell if any further people I passed were on the same lap as me or not.
As I approached the transition / finish area for the last time I was spurred on my support from all the supporters and tried to make one last push. Crossed the line to Tannoy announcement of “Here comes Owen Harries from Sunderland”. We really need to get Team Southampton put on our running vests !!!! After rehydrating and demolishing a few Jaffa cakes laid on by the organisers I could relax a bit and support those still running. Next TS runner over the line was Emyr followed shortly after by James. The closest club finish was between Sally and Trevor. Trevor held a lead coming off the bike but with a strong run Sally caught and passed Trevor on the final lap. She was actually passing most people around her on the run and looking very comfortable. Becky had been predicting (dreaming) a 7hr finish time and saying she would be last overall but of course was nothing of the sort. She was cheered home 45+mins ahead of her estimated time after a strong run performance.
All that was left to do then was take a dip in the lake (no wetsuits this time) to cool down and enjoy the sun and atmosphere. The organisation of the event was excellent, finishing times and splits were available as a printout literally within seconds of finishing and marshals and those on the course gave vocal support.
Next on the tri agenda for some of the TS competitors is the London Triathlon but there is already talk of doubling the distance next year and taking on a full Ironman….

Check back later for photos

Please Note:
These results are based on information sent to, or obtained by me. Any problems with names / times / positions then e-mail boardsbikes@yahoo.co.uk