Mud and Mayhem Duathlon Race Report
Created On: 23 March 2012
Competitors turning up for the first Mud & Mayhem event of
2012 were in for a treat. The persistent drizzle over the preceding
24 hours provided enough mud to make things interesting whilst rain
on the day held off until all but the very last had finished
racing. Kind weather coupled with great courses ensured a record
field had a great day out in Thetford Forest.
The opening run set off along the northern bank of the little
Ouse river before heading over the river and onto the forest trails
on the other side. After just 18 minutes the leading four of Iain
Robertson, Jez Cox, Graham Rush and peter Murphy completed the
initial 5K run with a healthy lead over the pursueing pack.
Jez used the bike course to pull away for the second year
running posting the second fastest bike split to open a 40 second
gap to Iain Robertson in 2nd place. The fastest bike leg on the day
belonged to John McAndrew. His superb 42:10 split moving him from
outside the top 15 into a strong 4th place and challenging for the
podium as the race headed back into transition.
Iain Robertson continued to push on the second run closing the
gap to Jez Cox and posting the fastest run of the day off the
bike.
Ultimately the lead proved too large as he finished the day in
second place, just 11 seconds behind. Jez Cox successfully
defending his 2011 title in 1:21:41 with Graham Rush repeating his
3rd place finish from a year ago.
In the ladies race Fay Cripps led the race from start to finish.
Only 4 men were faster on the bike leg as Fay posted 3 solid splits
to finish 6th overall in a new ladies course record of 1:29:53.
Behind her Kate Sealy finished 2nd lady frustratingly finishing in
sight of her husband having chased him down over the entire 2nd
run, and Melanie Paddington was 3rd.
The first relay team were Jimmy Hupton & James
Winter-Whittaker in 1:34:21 setting a course record in this
addition to the race format.
Behind the leaders everyone enjoyed their day out in Thetford
Forest with many racers commenting on the great venue, excellent
organisation, enthusiastic marshals & all round good value. As
always there were plenty of smiling faces in the finish area where
competitors were greeted with a very welcome hot drink, Go Beyond
fruit cake, jelly babies and their commemorative tops.
Finally a big thank you to BHIP UK (heartratemonitor.co.uk) our
event sponsors. Extreme Sports Therapy who were on hand to treat
tired and weary limbs after the event, Race photographers Corby
Photography and to all the enthusiastic marshals who give up their
weekends so that Go Beyond can put on great races.
Feedback on the event was very positive and many racers are
already booking their places at the next Mud & Mayhem Duathlon
in Delapre Park, Northampton on 14th October.
For more information visit : http://gobeyondultra.co.uk/events/mud_and_mayhem_autumn
Tags: news,duathlon
