It was a case of two wheels or two feet this past weekend as athletes from Hitchin-based triathlon club Team Trisports either took part in their first cyclo-cross race on Saturday or ran Standalone 10k on Sunday. And for a dedicated few, they did both!
First up; Saturday saw 19 club athletes take part in the CC Ashwell Cross race, many of whom were racing a cyclo-cross event, and bike, for the first time.
Cyclo-cross racing has a die-hard following amongst certain sections of the cycling community and sees participants race either 40 minute or 60 minute multi-lap races, depending on their age-group, and race over off road courses that feature lots of mud, climbs and various obstacles that require the rider to climb off and carry their bike for certain parts of each lap.
Despite the understandable pre-race nerves, there was a great team effort from all who raced the 40 minute multi-lap event. And judging by the huge grins worn by all who participated, cyclo-cross is sure to become an integral part of their winter race programme.
With bright and sunny weather conditions making the learning curve a little less steep and also being cheered on by the many club members and friends and family who turned on to support, it was Andy Chatterton who had the honour of finishing first for the club in 19th position (+6:05).
Also competing were; Dil Wetheril (+8:48), Ian Hobbs (1 lap+0:42), Steffan Ford (1 lap+1:11), Max Lepoutre (1 lap+2:29), Tim Smith (1 lap+2:41), Chris Priestley (1 lap+2:57), Mick Clark (1 lap+3:56), Gemma Sargent – PICTURED (1 lap+4:09), Naomi Woodland (1 lap+4:14), Michael Humphris (1 lap+4:55), Simon Douglas (1 lap+5:33), Anna Holden (1 lap+6:00), Sean Bradley (1 lap+6:27), Keith Perry (1 lap+7:23), Darren Greene (1 lap+7:44), Jackie Perry (1 lap+8:04), Paul Dutton (1 lap+9:36) and Leslie Dutton (1 lap+10:41).
The fun continues this weekend as the series moves on to the Welwyn Wheelers Cross event at Stanborough Park in Welwyn Garden City on Saturday.
Onto Sunday’s Standalone 10k, where 24 athletes from the club took to the start line of this popular local fixture and put in a series of impressive times and performances, despite the humid and overcast conditions.
Finishing first for the club in a superb time of 38:09, Lee Thorp crossed the line in 30th position overall out of more than a thousand competitors. This was followed by another great performance from veteran athlete Mike Russell, who clocked a cracking time of 39:19. Rob Wilson finished just over the forty minute mark in a time of 40:51 to become the third club finisher.
Kate Turner was the first female athlete home for the club in a fast time of 42:42 to continue her strong 2010 season.
First of the athletes who raced on both Saturday and Sunday, Michael Humphris showed little signs of fatigue on his way to a time of 43:04. It was also a case of two races in two days for Naomi Woodland and Tim Smith, who finished in 48:48 and 51:52 respectively.
Making their club debut, Sean Story (41:47), Andy McPherson (43:11) recorded a rapid time of 41:47. The race also marked the 10k road race debut of Joel Farrow, who rose to the occasion admirably to record a time of 43:11.
Also racing were; Greg Evans (42:44), Darren Woddhall (43:00), Jon Wilson (43:04), Mark Beaver (45:58), Drew Lowrie (45:47), Pete Eames (46:19), Richard Thomas (46:40), Tony Shortland (47:21), Kim Humphris (51:33), Graham Perry (51:58), Alyson Sprawson (54:24) and Stuart Sprawson (54:24).
And last but by no means least, Dil Wetheril followed his cyclo-cross exploits by keeping the tri flag flying at race three of the Puretri Bedford Sprint Series Triathlon on Sunday. Taking place over a 400m pool swim, 25km bike and 5km run, Wetheril set a great time of 1:13:43 to finish 29th overall out of more than 290 competitors. Also competing in his first race for the club, Andrew Chadwick recorded a time of 1:22:17 to finish in the top third of the field.
