Near perfect conditions greeted the 300+ runners who arrived on Boxhill on Saturday morning to tackle the infamous Kinetica Spring Ballbuster.
The first 8-mile run showed last years’ race winner David Vaughan in good form coming through to transition first in 45:32. Hot on his heels was Charles Pennington who, at only one second behind Vaughan, looked as if he might be a contender to steal Vaughan’s crown. The ladies race also followed last years’ form with 2012 winner Victoria Gill coming first into transition with a first run time of 49:24.
The bike course has traditionally been the discipline that sorts the men from the boys and this year was no exception. Vaughan swiftly proved dominant dropping Pennington relatively quickly, however his lead into the final run lap was again only seconds as a determined James Waite demonstrated his strength on the bike and stormed into transition right on the back wheel of Vaughan.
In the end, Vaughan’s BallBuster experience proved too much for novice duathlete Waite as he crossed the line in 2:44:51, a full 2 minutes ahead of Waite who finished in 2:46:52. Third place was taken by Philip Eaves who finished the course in a very respectable 2:47:36.
Over in the ladies’ race, Gill once again proved too strong for the rest of the field crossing the line first in 3:00:25 having never really been challenged for the title. Tamsin Lewis (3:01:25) finished in second place and Catherine Benger came in third in 3:08:29.
For the first time in recent years, the Kinetica Spring BallBuster also played host to a number of relay teams. Team The Flying Sprockets were the easy winners crossing the line in 3:07:02 with Team Balls of Steel coming in second in 3:32:28.
You can read an Age-Grouper Tale from the Ballbuster in issue 285 of 220 Triathlon, out on 2 April.
Image: Matt Alexander
