2011-12 Wadenhoe Winter Challenge Race 3
Wadenhoe Winter Challenge Race 3 – 15th January.
With no appreciable winter rainfall this third race in the series was set to be another fast one. Only the frosty surface made for slightly tricky conditions for the less experienced. The ‘bog’ alongside the river was pretty tame with barely ankle deep mud to negotiate.
With a fairly small field (5 in the quad and 20 in the run/bike/run), the r/b/r was always going to be domonated by Jez Cox, a former number 1 in the national duathlon rankings. Jez led out with 15 year old Tom Stead (racing in the Quad) hot on his heels. The field had spread out a fair bit by the second run lap although postions 2 to 6 were still anyones with the tough and technical bike leg to come. Current leader in the r/b/r competition, Steve Giles was holding onto second place with Wadenhoe‘rookies ‘ Dave Briggs, Alex Fernadez-Navamaro and Matt Wootton in hot pursuit. Dave Rayment (MV40) was also in contention. .
Jez stretched out his lead and eventually finished in 56 mins 38 seconds (a new record!). Steve Giles finished second in 59 mins and 9 seconds (also first MV40). Glen McGowan was first MV50 in 64 mins 24 seconds
An old hand at Wadenhoe Patrick Schlabetter returned for the first time this series and showed us just how strong he (still!) is on a bike posting 35 mins. total time 1.07.12
The ladies r/b/r  race was won by Hayley Abraham in a time of 75 mins 10 seconds. Naomi Brewer came in second in 1 hr 20min 24sec.
The Quad was won by Tom Stead in 1 hr 21 mins 47 secs with Keith Reid second in 1 hr 30m 35 secs. First lady was Roz Giles in 1 hr 34 mins 22 secs.
Some great photos taken by Tom’s Dad can be seen hear along with Tom’s blogspot!http://tomstead.blogspot.com/p/3rd-wadenhoe-quadmire-15th-jan-2012.html
The Final Race of the Series is on 5th Feb!
Full Results below