Results

Posn	Name	Cat	Cat Posn	Swim & T1	Cycle & T2	Run	Total Time
1	Owen Harries	M40	1	37:18:00	02:39:23	01:36:51	04:53:33

Distances: 1.9km swim + 56 mile Cycle + 13.1 mile Run

Race Report

Race Details; This is classified as a Middle Distance tri or sometime known as a half Ironman. Consisting of a 1900m swim, 90km (56mile) cycle and then a half marathon to finish.
Organised by Race New Forest it follows the typical format for them of a great scenic location and lots of hills!!. About the only aspect that is flat is the swim at Ellingham Lake near Ringwood. The two lap bike course uses the northern part of the New Forest including some highlights such as Ornamental Drive, Emery Down, Bramshaw and across to Godshill and Sandy Balls holiday camp where 2nd transition and the finish were based. The run course is 90% off road using the ridge between Frogham to Fritham. Before getting onto the ridge and about a mile ofter starting there is a 25% hill to tackle. After Fritham the course takes a loop via Holly Hatch enclosure before climbing Sandy Gallop hill and the even more appropriately named Heartbreak hill back up to Hampton ridge. The last 3 miles involve a two more hills before a mile downhill into the finish.

Pre Race: Registration, briefing and bike racking done on the Sat so just a 4:00am alarm and drive to Sandy Balls to get on the coach. Temp around 14deg and forecast to be warm and sunny later so even put some suncream on. Still dark down at the lake so glad I had my head torch to sort out bits and pieces in transition.

Swim: two start waves this year with the women and under 40s going off first and the vets (such as me) going off about 10 mins later. Swim is not my strongest of the 3 disciplines and a niggling shoulder pain was a bit of a worry. Not too much biff at the start for me and even found a few feet to swim on at times. Kept it at a reasonably hard effort and enjoyed the clear water. Probably exited about mid pack and short jog up to the bike. Bike jersey over the top of the tri top, couple of bars in the pockets and off. Time 37mins which includes T1.

Bike: Looking forward to this leg as biking this year has gone well and I know the course really well. Passing loads of people from the start and got into a good rhythm down on the tri bars. Thought we would get held up a bit into Lyndhurst but luckily the queue was moving fast enough to be clear before the left turn off the main road.
Great tail wind across Ocknell plain (known as the runway) and saw a mate out to cheer (thanks Nick). Only issue up to now had been the inability to take much fluid on board. First race using an aero bottle and donŐt know if it was the drinking through a straw and sucking air or an over strong mix but felt sick every time I drank from it. Gave up in the end and just used the normal frame mounted bottle. Had half a energy bar at around 25miles and other half at around 40miles. Wind was a noticeable cross wind before and after the hairpin turn and head wind across the top before passing Sandy Balls. (more mates out cheering, thanks Trev & James). Made sure that I didn't cut the corner (blind bend) at the top of Blisford hill, marshal there must have a sore throat after making sure people were in no doubt what would happen if they did cut the corner (DQ). Rest of the bike went well and by the time I passed Nick a 2nd time he had counted about 140 people I'd overtaken. Into T2 and hand bike over to a marshal. Cheer from Gavin as I went into T2 (think he's checking just how poor my transitions are) Bike Time 2:39.

Run: knew this was going to be tough but it's the sort of course I like. Walked up the 25% hill a mile out of T2 and also Heartbreak hill up to Hampton ridge around 10miles but could get into a good stride for most of the rest of it. Great to see Trev and James at the top of Heartbreak hill, sorry I wasn't running. Most of the time I was catching and passing people and trying to work out if they were vets or from the first start wave. Also a short power walk just before the carpark with a mile to go and then all downhill to the finish. Found this bit hard for some reason with a strong headwind, passed by a guy in Bustinskin suit like I was standing still, found out later he ran the fastest run leg and was the only person to run under 1:30. Kept pushing hard up to the line to finish with a time of 1:36:51.(Includes T2) Total time of 4:53:33

Finish: After staggering (past the food table of course) had a chat with my Trev, James & Gavin who had relocated to the finish. Thought that I was probably about 8th over the line but didnŐt know if there had been any other vets over ahead of me. Also heard that the first finisher had been DQd for cutting the corner we had all been warned about. He had been 20mins + clear of anyone else as well so certainly didnŐt need the half sec saving. Was chatting to one of the Marshals (ironically about my rather to relaxed T2) when race organiser Richard came up to tell me I'd won! Thought he meant the Vets cat initially and couldn't quite believe it was overall. Had to come back after having a shower & getting changed sorting out the bike etc to check the results board. I know most of these reports finish with a thanks to the race organisers and marshals but Richard, Joanne, Paul and the rest of the Race New Forest crew really do work incredibly hard to put on a great event with the aim of getting all competitors round the course safely and having a great day. Marshals were brilliant as always, lots of cheering and support all the way round.

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