Western Province Duathlon Trials

Shortly after what was a busy triathlon season, it was time for Duathlon to take over. Being a lover of the water duathlon is not ideal for me but I gave it a bash anyway.

The first race of the season was Western Province Duathlon Trials, held on Sunday 11 April at 15:00.  Killarney Race Track was the venue of choice and it was a nice venue but personally I’d prefer not to race 6 laps on the bike, especially on a course with so many corners. From a sponsors’ point of view, there is almost zero opportunity of catching the eye of passersby. The only spectators were friends and family. From a safety perspective however, there’s nothing better.

The run started off in the parking and preparation area just behind the pit lane. We had to race a small loop here before heading out onto the back end of the pit lane and out onto the track. A great run down the back straight into a moderate cool South Easter was quite welcome since it was fairly warm. We then made a right turn around what is known as BP Bend before heading down the main straight and diving into the pit lane for some refuelling (Water) under the New Balance gazebo. At this point we turned back into the parking and preparation area for another loop. That’s lap 1 of 4. On lap two I was forced to sit the rest out due to a foot injury which felt perfectly fine until the likes of Gilbert Lucas and Rohan Kennedy set a furious pace off the grid. No time to settle into something comfortable.

Transition was set on the starting grid three quarters of the way down the main straight.  6 laps on the bike, with a 180 degree turn either side of the transition meant that it was a slow bike with all those corners.

A 2 lap run finished off the day with Henry Wolstenholme taking top spot. Nardus Matthsyn and Rohan Kennedy occupied the remainder of the podium positions.

Thanks to the organisers, officials and New Balance.

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