Sunshine at Shrewsbury Quad 2015!

Shrewsbury once again gave us a great day’s racing, blue skies, a calm fast river, if a ‘tad’ cold, with a strong current down stream but hard work up! A slight wind on the undulating bike course, and a fast flat run with the occasional muddy patch … all in all fantastic conditions for racing! We had good strong field of Quadrathletes, our top athletes and age groupers, plus 12 newcomers who all gave it their best and finished with happy faces!

Congratulations to Winner Steve King who took the lead from the start, with Adam Norfolk hot on his heels just 10 seconds behind after the swim/kayak. Steve put in the ‘joint fastest bike split of the day’ (shared with the overall winner of the Triathlon), he was a good 2 minutes ahead, however Adam put in the fastest run of the Quadrathlon but was still not able to catch him.  Steve’s time -1.22.09, Adam 1.23.57. Meanwhile there was a battle for 3rd place with Stuart West coming in 3rd after the kayak, Nigel Unwin overtook him on the bike and ran well to hold his 3rd place 1.29.05. Stuart finished in 4th 1.32.49. BQA members Andy Childs and Phil Holden were battling on the run to finish 5th. Andy just held Phil off 1.36.34 with Phil in 6th 1.36.45.

In the Ladies event Jean Ashley finally took first place. After taking the lead on the kayak, she was overtaken on the last mile of the bike, Jean had a speedy transition and the two leaders went out on the run together. Jean pushed hard and went into the lead finishing in – 1.45.14 with Jacqueline Davis, a strong Triathlete, (competing in her first Quadrathlon) in 2nd, just a minute behind 1.46.11. Another great performance in her first Quadrathlon was Heather Streetly she finished 3rd in 1.53.55. A great effort from all the other females who for many of them it was their first Quad …. and judging by their smiles ‘not their last’!

There was a great turnout of BQA Members, all getting valuable National Trophy Points, with 2 more races left their are no clear winners yet!I Thank-you to BQA athletes flying the flag this weekend, good to see you all. Duncan Pearson in 8th back in fine form after an injury 1.37.21. John Kavanagh 13th (1st vet 60) 1.41.27, and just behind his training buddy Ned Price 14th 1.42.08. Peter Chappill 18th also back from injury 1.44.38 looking strong again. John Redmond finish well 20th in 1.53.43 and great to see Alistair Bates Vet 60 back again, enjoying his race and finishing well in 25th … but 2nd Vet 60! Our other BQA member Margaret Huyton also Vet 60 came 5th lady overall putting in her best Quadrathlon performance to date …. Great Results Everyone.

The Trophy Standings are still open with 3 races to count (must be a BQA Member to claim the Trophy/Prize). Nigel Unwin is in the overall lead at the moment having done 3 races, along with Phil Holden, John Kavanagh and Ned Price. Adam Norfolk is 5th but has another race to do, which could change the positions after the Fabian 4 this weekend. Jean Ashley is winning the ladies trophy but once again there are still 2 races left! So Good Luck to everyone racing at the Fabian 4 and the following weekend at Bude …. lets hope we get Sunshine like Shrewsbury!

 

I would like to say a huge thank-you to Gill Otto and SYtri for letting us, once again be part of there triathlon, British Quadrathlon really appreciate this ….. superbly organized, very friendly and great value for money, you left no stone unturned! The marshals were brilliant …. along with their ‘cow bells’ they made us feel very welcome. It was so good to see plenty of onlookers enjoying the Quadrathlon, and I have had so much positive feedback from the Quadrathletes, and from Triathletes all wanting to add another discipline next year! We hope SYTri will have us back next year for another great race….. thank -you.