Race Report

Cheshire Sprint Triathlon Report (31.5.09)On a hot weekend, an 8.26 am start made this event more bearable.The swim takes place in an outdoor, salt-water pool and with 1200 competitors being accommodated we were off in 20 secs intervals.It made for a 'bustling' experience, but a 9m 47s time for 500m seemed reasonable, especially as one needed to stop and look at every turn, there were three lane-to-lane transitions and the goggles were removed to drain the salt water after a mid-stream collision with a paddle-steamer. T1 was taken with coffee and biscuits and the bike race started some 3.5 mins later. The bike route was undulating and picturesque. I'd envisaged draughting behind a Bentley being test-driven from the local factory, but no such luck! With light easterly winds a time of 44m 11s (incl T1) was achieved.After finishing off the remaining biscuits and easing a pulled muscle in my lower back I managed to emerge from T2 some 3 mins later.The run was a pleasant four circuits of Barony Park, under the trees, round the play park, in the ever warming sun and to the constant PA announcement of "please take water or Gatorade regularly". A mini-battle then ensued with competitors 111, 112 and 113 locked in combat! The lead changed several times but runner 111 surged to the tape first in 23m 40s (incl T1). So, I got the 218th handout for finishing!Overall, an event to be recommended if you don't mind the pool antics!
Written by James Carrigan