Bude Awesome Foursome & Final BQA Trophy Series
Congratulations to all those that took part in the Bude Awesome Foursome, and Sprint Race. A great day was had by all, even though the conditions were a bit challenging, with a choppy swim and rain on the bike! Race organizer Simon said Everything went well and the competitors ‘smashed it’. Big thanks to Simon and all his marshals’ who put this great race on for the Quadrathletes out there, we really appreciate their hard work and dedication each year, its a huge commitment and its important we show them gratitude and support for their dedication to our sport!
Full Results Bude Results 2026
Big Thanks to long time BQA Member Peter Chappill for his RACE REPORT
Bude Awesome Foursome 2026.
I always arrive at this event with trepidation. The novelty of cycling a 1 in 3 hill, and swimming in the sea, something I haven’t experienced for 3 years.
The location soon puts you at ease. The start time varies dramatically each year as it relies on the tide. The depth and swell on the water is never the same. This year the water was only knee deep at the start and it was clear who the local swimmers were as they commenced their dolphin impressions and soon disappeared from my view as I tried to run to the deeper water. My goggles steamed up so couldn’t see the turn buoy until I head butt it.
The swim back to the beach was no easier as I must have swum three times further then needed as did Lance. Eventually located the turn flag and jogged back to the start. Normally I jump from the rocks into deep water. This year we stepped off into the knee deep water to commence the second lap, thinking it might have been a good idea to do the sprint, only one lap. But goggles not so steamy meant straighter line and shorter swim.
Its a long run to the transition over the lock gate so I removed wetsuit while it had water in it. Changed into cycle gear and away onto the coast road. It was now overcast and a fine drizzle, the wet type rain, but warm. The coast road requires focus and lots of gear changes to maintain cadence. Arrived at the hotel where sprint course goes left and long goes into Millock, thoughts of changing your mind and doing the sprint occur. Surface was a little wet and some mud so safe and easy was order of the day. I turned at the steep adverse camber bend out of Millock wheel skidded lost momentum and immediately looked to the verge with soft gorse bushes to lay on. Unclipped feet stood up started to run and jumped back on. Saw several riders ahead and focused on the catch. Made it to main road junction and had to stop for vehicles, some would curse for losing time, for me a welcome rest. Off we go again, my favourite part of the bike course. The road was smooth and not very busy so head down and go. This year the long course was turned back onto the coast road due to road works. I was soon back onto the undulating road back into Bude. This route although I found harder was safer as it negates the T junction and busy mini roundabout into Bude.
So left into transition change for kayak. Some movement on the water and lots of other kayaks already at different stages flying about. Up to the lock gates turn try and get a rhythm. Down to the 5 point turn narrow end and repeat. You can see other athletes at different stages of the kayak and for the faster proper ones I can see them on the run. No dramas on the kayak, into transition and change for run.
Nice flat start once on the towpath. Reach the drinks station, have a quick chat with Nigel before attacking the uphill stretch. Noted that this year there was a slated track and no gates to open. The farmer had just finished muck spreading and ploughing but there was a grassed area to run on. The muck spreading acted like smelling salts and encouraged me to run a bit faster. I could feel the mud building under trainers but soon reached a hard surface where it started to fly off. Across the road onto the coastal pathway which has a couple of steeper sections then out onto the footpath. After a short steady rise it’s all down hill and flat along the canal side over the lock gate and to the finish. Medal and drink. Into the canal for 10 minutes for recovery. The weather was now dry and warm.
Massive thanks to the organizers and marshals without you it wouldn’t happen. If you take part in these events and have never marshaled or assisted in the organization, setting up and clearing up please do.
The presentation was well attended. Lots of prizes to the local athletes on home turf. I wonder how well you would do at some of the other locations. Come and try in 2027, see if you can cope with flat water, flat cycle course, and flat running. The scenery may not be as spectacular but the welcome and atmosphere will be.
Congratulations to all finishers.
Pete Chappill.
It was also the Final of our BQA Trophy Series, see final results BQA Trophy final table v1
Congratulations to all our BQA Winners (You have to have completed in 3 Races and must be a 2026 BQA Member to take the prize.
Overall Male – Erik Meilak
Overall Female – Rose Durrant
Under 23 – Hermione Ball
50 -59 Male – Lance Ball
60 -69 Male – Nicholas Farnell
60 – 69 Female – Caroline Jones
Eric Hatliff Trophy – Rose Durrant
It was also great to see people attempting the sport that probably are unlikely to ever have entered the extreme Standard…the Sprint is a real plus and m
The final race in our BQA National Trophy series is taking place in Bude on 11th October ‘The Awesome Foursome’. On the Ladies side it looks like Helen Russell can not be beaten to take the overall Trophy, but there could be some ladies age group deciders depending on who races!
Always one of the highlights of the quadrathlon race calendar, this year’s British Championship race took place on 7th September in Brigg, Lincolnshire. The 2025 national race was a sprint-distance format of 750m river swim, 4km kayak, 18km bike and 5km run and it also doubled up as the third race in the British Trophy Series.
The women’s race was very close and arguably the most exciting of the day! Last year’s Brigg Sprint winner, Rose Durrant exited the river first, just 9 seconds ahead of seasoned quadder Helen Russell. About 2 miles into the bike leg Helen caught Rose and the riders battled each other with positions swapping until the half way point when Rose pulled away and created a lead going into the kayak leg of 21 seconds. Both athletes had to deal again with the weeds in the river but just after the half way mark Helen overtook Rose paddling almost two minutes faster. Helen managed to maintain her lead throughout the run leg completing the final disciple just one second quicker than Rose to finish in an overall time of 1 hour, 43 minutes, and 19 seconds. Rose took the silver in 1.44.46 and Tora Oetgen took the final podium place in 1.56.56. In just one year Rose has improved by 5 minutes and 21 seconds, an incredible advancement in just 12 months. Tora also showed a big improvement finishing 4 minutes 59 seconds quicker than last year. Helen and Rose’s times were so fast that they actually finished 3rd and 4th overall beating most of the men!