More than 200 athletes headed to Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire last Sunday for a very muddy duathlon, with late entries by 2013 winner Paul Davies and National Mountain Champion Fay Cripps adding some tension to the start line.
On the first run, Nick Baker took an early lead in the men’s race and finished the first 5km just a few seconds shy of 18 mins – a very impressive time considering some of the mixed terrain the route had taken. Onto the bike course and both the early run leaders jumped onto mountain bikes – an interesting move given a mainly flat and firm course with just a few waterlogged sections.
Scott O’Neil, starting the 18km course in ninth place, was soon ripping through the field on his speedy ‘cross bike, which as it happens was definitely the quickest machine for the day.
By the end of bike section, Ben Eedy had caught up the 2min he gave away on the first run to return back to transition leading overall, followed just a few seconds behind by Scott O’Neil. Onto the simple out and back second run, it looked like Ben Eedy had given it all on the bike and slowed quickly on the run, leaving the door open for Scott O’Neil to take a simple overall win…from a very quickly closing Nick Baker.
In the women’s event, Fay Cripps led from start to finish, dominating the women’s field and winning by nearly 5 minutes from Kirtsy Vogan & ex Olympic cyclist Sara Symington. In the team competition, Andy Llewellyn took an early tumble riding for team NOC – Mansfield Road Club, but nonetheless his team they easily won.
The next Midlands Off Road Series event takes place on Saturday 8 November at Sherwood Pines, north Nottinghamshire.
For full results of the Clumber Park Duathlon head here.
Did you race Clumber Park Duathlon last weekend? Let us know in the comments below!