Cat Posn	Overall M/F Posn	Name	Swim (posn)	T1	Cycle	T2	Run	Total
18	139	Owen Harries	1:12:08 (96)	9:40 (202)	5:15:32 (40)	6:55 (198)	3:15:39 (6)	9:59:53
129	499	Nick Wright	1:08:16 (108)	6:45 (145)	5:29:00 (107)	7:34 (244)	4:09:03 (147)	11:00:36
37	538	Emyr Morgan	1:16:33 (187)	11:13 (253)	5:58:44 (217)	10:09 (269)	3:30:31 (37)	11:07:08
18	76	Rebecca Mulley	1:23:52 (22)	9:17 (27)	6:25:08 (24)	5:34 (19)	4:19:59 (13)	12:23:48
190	960	James Allen	1:06:34 (74)	15:22 (215)	6:31:57 (206)	9:14 (200)	4:27:25 (160)	12:30:29
55	998	Trevor Gregory	1:14:35 (37)	8:58 (49)	5:47:09 (38)	7:53 (69)	5:22:26 (70)	12:40:59
9	112	Sally Gilbert	1:08:18 (2)	8:12 (6)	7:46:39 (14)	5:32 (8)	4:05:09 (5)	13:13:49
22	120	Joanna Kitley	1:23:28 (21)	10:12 (23)	6:24:58 (17)	10:04 (24)	5:22:26 (24)	13:31:05

Distances: Swim 3.8km
Cycle 112 miles
Run 26.2 miles

Positions in brackets are within category for that segment.

1163 male finishers and 147 female finishers.

Photos to follow.

Challenge Copenhagen Report
The Team
Sometime many months ago at an evening meeting in the Belmore pub the decision to attempt an Ironman triathlon was taken by a group of (at that time) Team Southampton runners. These mad fools were; Becky, Jo, Sally, Emyr, James, Owen, Trevor and Nick. Trevor and Nick should have known better having already completed an Ironman but for the rest of us it would be a big step up in our triathlon distances.
Having decided to attempt the distance the next decision was which event. We wanted an event abroad for the atmosphere and to make it a trip away. After much discussion the then recently announced Challenge Copenhagen event was selected and the training could commence.
Many long bike rides, swims at Calshot and trying to maintain the running training later the day was no longer just a date in the future but a fast approaching reality. By now we had recruited a number of supporters for the trip; Kerry, Samantha (Sam), Lucy, Kevin and Heather. We would also be joined by Clint and Claire taking a rather roundabout route back from their wedding anniversary holiday in Bulgaria.

Getting there.
With all the kit required to take part in 3 sports and a reluctance to trust expensive bikes to the tender care of airline baggage handlers the party was split getting to Copenhagen. Three cars & 7 of us drove taking the bikes and extra gear and the rest flew. With a driving distance of almost 1000 miles the journey was undertaken in 2 steps with a pleasant overnight stop near Bremen Germany. Still long enough before race day to sample a german beer. The 2nd days driving to Copenhagen gave us the first taste of poor weather, most of the journey was undertaken in rain and spray making visibility limited. Crossing the 10mile long Great Belt bridge onto the island of Zealand was impressive though as we drove up into the black clouds. The group was reunited in Copenhagen on the Thursday afternoon in in time to have a short run round some of the lakes in Copenhagen.

Pre Event
On the Friday we had to attend the race briefing taking place in The Radisson hotel, a rather more up market hotel to the one we were staying in. Most of the information we knew from data posted online but was still useful as last minute changes and the route were described to us (in perfect english) . The big unknown was the weather as at this time although the rain had stopped it was still more like a Uk autumn day than summer. Forecasts for the next few days including race day varied and changed wildly.
After the briefing we took the metro down to Amager Beach lagoon where the swim and transition 1 would be located. The lagoon is a man made made feature created to give the Copenhageners somewhere to go in the summer for swimming, windsurfing etc. Its formed by a long sandbar and crossed by 3 bridges which we would have to swim under while doing a lap of the lagoon.
To test the water most of us had a short non wetsuit swim. The water temperature was not to bad but a wetsuit would defiantly be needed on the day. It was then time to head back into Copenhagen, register at the expo and chill out for the rest of the day.
Saturday and some of us took a drive (thanks Kevin for driving) round the bike course to get an idea of what we would be riding on race day. After getting out of the city (14kms) the course is a 2 lap route initially following the coast north up the side of the island. It then wiggled its way inland on small country lanes before emerging onto a major dual carriageway. From here we headed south and then cut back across on minor roads to rejoin the loop. Although no major hills the course was gently undulating for most of the time and looked like it would provide fast speeds. There was one 500m cobbled road section through the town of Lyngby that looked likely to shake the bike up a bit.
After the recee and a bit of lunch it was time to take the bikes and our cycle and run gear bags down to Amager lagoon ready for race day. Its quite normal in Copenhagen to take bikes on the metro so that was what we did. By this time (early afternoon) the rain had started again and by the time we got to the transition area both we and the bikes were quite wet. The bikes needed to be racked according to our race number and the cycle gear bags hung on a rack. The bikes got a plastic cover to try and keep them dry overnight but the bags were in the open. We tried as best we could to protect the contents but it seemed likely that we would be facing wet cycling gear the next day. It was some very wet and soggy people who got back to the hotel later that afternoon.
By the evening the rain was reaching biblical proportions. Cleverly Kerry had booked some taxis to get us from the hotel to the restaurant or the wetsuits might have been needed 12hrs early. Think we all went to bed that night wondering what would happen if the weather didn't improve drastically overnight.

Race Day
Four something am Sunday morning and the first thing I do is check the weather outside, not to bad! Bit of light rain but many orders of magnitude better that the evening before. Breakfast in the room and it get my stuff and head out to Amager beach via the metro. Train is either carrying athletes going to the event or clubbers back home after a long night partying.
All the rain has caused a few issues in the transition area, the racks holding all the bags have collapsed so they have had to be laid out on the ground instead. Identify where my bag is so I can find it after coming out of the swim.
The swim is going off in waves to avoid congestion. First to start are the pros at 7:00 am, then all the women at 07:05 and after them a further 5 waves at 10 min intervals. Check the bike is still ok and remove the cover and then get changed into the wetsuit ready for my start. Short practice swim to check nothing is rubbing and the goggles are not steaming up. Water tastes a bit different to the test swim on Friday but better, would later find out this was not the case. All to soon its time to get into the prestart pen for my wave and start a long day of exercise.

The Swim
The swim as mentioned was one lap of the lagoon. First we headed straight out from the beach to a large buoy where it was a 90 degree right turn. With around 300 people per start wave it was a bit congested but a lot better than a mass start event. Once round the first buoy I could find some space to swim in and settled down to an easy stroke, trying to think about technique rather than forcing the stroke. Sighting was relatively easy with a pack all around you and only needed occasional checks to ensure I was heading straight towards the first bridge. The first bridge we went under had lots of closely spaced supports so you needed to make sure you didn't get pushed into one of them, no real issues though. We all made our way down one side of the lagoon, under the 2nd bridge and round the turn buoy at the end. On the way back I start to see a few black swim caps from the wave after mine but am also seeing people from the earlier wave so happy that IÕm not to far off pace. Three quarters into the loop there was a section going up and then back a canal, seemed a bit congested here and either my stroke was going to pieces or we were swimming against a bit of a current. After this section it was one more turn buoy and back to the finish slipway. Overall happy with the swim and donÕt feel its taken to much out of me for whatÕs to come.

T1
First transition was a grab bag and into the changing tent affair. Then needed to find an empty space on a bench which was easier said than done. Apart from Nick who had his cycle shorts on under his wetsuit we were all going for a complete change of gear. Struggled a bit pulling damp clothing over a damp body but managed it eventually. Jogged to the bike, tool it off the rack and pushed to the mount line.

The Bike
Early part of the bike took us from Amager beach right the way through Copenhagen. Lots of turns and with the wet roads and road markings we had to take care. IÕm immediately passing people but donÕt feel IÕm working that hard at all yet. On one turn I hear something fall off my bike and turn to see the chuck of my CO2 tyre inflator bouncing into the gutter. The top of my spares & tools can has come off and the bits stuffed in the top got lost. I do go back to pick up the inflator though.
After getting through the city and out onto the coast road we can settle down into a comfortable position, there is a little bit of a cross wind but nothing to bad and am ticking along around the 23 to 24 mph mark passing people pretty much constantly. Even at this early stage there are loads of people stopped at the side of the road mending punctures. Later find out that is is around here that Sally got a puncture and Becky stopped to give here a hand. The first drinks station came up at around 30km in, I swap a 3/4 drunk bottle for a full one of energy drink. I must have also passed Sally at this point, stopped at the aid station to get her tyre pumped up (after also breaking the valve). Almost at the top of the coast road I spot a Soton AC cycle jersey ahead, its Becky moving along nicely in an aero position. Quick shouts of encouragement as we pass. Just after turning inland onto the more minor roads I see Jo ahead also going well. This section of the course needed quite a bit of concentration to try and maintain speed through the turns and constant undulations. Did manage to continue to snack on the energy bars and take swigs of drink as well. Once past the top part of the course and back heading south on the more major roads the speed could increase again. At the top of one climb the crowd support was great and I almost missed the 3rd of the drinks stations. Soon after the drinks station we get to the cobbled section, thankfully the roads have pretty much dried out now so its not to slippery. Bike and I are getting completely shaken around by the cobbles and one of my drinks bottles ejects itself onto the road.
Feeling really good after the cobbles and cant stop smiling, bike gliding along and all feeling good, even pass £12k worth of bike porn (Giant Trinity TT machine). Should have been a bit less smug as 30 secs later there is a loud bang and hiss from my front tyre, damn puncture. Going back to pick up my CO2 inflator now seems a really good move and its not long before the tyre is mended and IÕm back racing again.
Second lap and I ease the pace back a bit and continue the constant eating and drinking strategy. Get passed by a few people but they are mostly relay cyclists and I dont want to get involved in a race with them. Didnt see much drafting going on but did need to be careful myself as I would tend to catch people on any of the inclines and be passed when the road went downhill. Tended to use it as a good excuse to have another bit of bar or a drink. Must have been drinking quite a lot as needed to use the toilet facilities at the far drinks station. Towards the end of the 2nd loop suddenly spot some familiar faces cheering by the roadside. Kevin, Lucy & Heather have come out to see us on the bike. Get a boost from this and try and look fast for the photos! Last section back into town seems to fly by and suddenly T2 approaches.
Bike went well overall, happy with 5:15 time and didn't feel I had pushed that hard. Also managed to drink loads and eat 4 energy bars and a packet of shot bloks.

T2
Bike handed over to a volunteer and another helper located by run bag for me. Like T1 I do a complete change into run gear which also gives the Garmin enough time to lock onto position.

Run
My strategy for the run was to... make up a strategy during the run. Really didn't know how I would feel after the bike and what sort of pace would be possible. Early on my pace was good, to good really at around 6:30 min mile and clearly not sustainable for the whole distance. Tried to ease back but running slower didn't seem any easier. Decided therefore to run for 6 miles and see how I felt. The run course was 3 laps of an out and back course mostly alongside the waterfront but with a spur off it taking us up to the finish area on each lap. It was here that we would collect a coloured band to indicate which lap we were on. The southern part of the lap was run along the waterfront next to and behind some modern buildings. Mid and northern section of the course crossed a canal before taking us past the royal palace onto a cobbled section. We then passed where the little mermaid would have been (she was in Shanghai) before climbing up onto a pathway alongside the cruise liner berths.
The self imposed 6 miles came up on the Garmin and I took a 0.2 mile walk break and ate a couple of shot bloks, there were loads of drink / aid stations on the course so getting enough liquid was not going to be a problem. The weather by this time had warmed up nicely and the sun come out. I was taking sponges from the aid station to squeeze down the back of my neck. The course design meant we got to see each other and the supporters quite a few times. Seemed everyone would be going through phases of feeling good or not so good. My run 6 walk .2 was working well for me and with the cheering of the crown and our supporters the number of bands on my wrist was increasing and the distance to finish was reducing nicely. Almost without realizing it I only had 4 miles to go. Good crowds in the finish road and its straight on into the grandstand area where we have to run 3 sides of a rectangle. Make the final turn and see the finish clock, 20 seconds to beat a total time of 10 hrs, oh no got to sprint!! Almost take out the volunteers at the end but sneak under the time by a whole 7 seconds. Finished !!

Afterwards
Initially I cant quite believe its all over and an hour under my estimated time. Wander around in a bit of a daze picking up a finishers shirt and having a shower. There was food available but all I could really stomach was a bit of pasta and some potatoes. Didn't take that much but unfortunately for the later finishers the pasta had all gone. After a while I left the finish area and bumped into Heather outside. We wander round the back of the tents and almost immediately see Nick coming up the finish road. HeÕs also smashed his planned 12 hr time. Join up (slowly) with the rest of the supporters and we cheer on the rest of the group as they pass. Sally is back to her usual run style (fast) and Emyr performing to the camera as normal. James taking it sensibly and Trev and Jo running together. Not long before they all have the coveted white 3rd lap band and can be cheered on up the finish straight.
We stayed on for a while around the finish area cheering the other athletes in. The atmosphere was all very supportive. Had to retrieve the bike from T2 and had intended to return for the last finisher but tiredness overtook me by the time I got back to the hotel so never made it back for the fireworks.

Summary
All of the group performed far in excess of their expectations and overall enjoyed the day and experience. We all had periods where things weren't going well but employed 'Rule 5' (ask one of the group if you dont know). The event overall was well organized on a good course. There are areas for improvement such as covered storage for the bags and more food at the finish for later (even mid) finishers but overall I think they did a good job. I really enjoyed the cycle course and although the run was quite convoluted and twisty for an Ironman marathon it didn't matter as much as it would have done for a stand alone marathon. We were both unlucky and lucky wit the weather, unlucky in that there was so much rain around causing chaos but lucky that on race day itself it cleared quickly to a hot and sunny day. One consequence of all the rain we found out later is that the sewers were overflooding into the swim location and testing of the water quality deemed it unsafe to swim in. This was only discovered after everyone had started however when it was to late. Wonder what the decision would have been had the results come back earlier?? It seems to have only affected Becky and myself but a shame none the less.

Owen

Please Note:
Any problems with names / times / positions etc then please e-mail boardsbikes@yahoo.co.uk