Shrewsbury & Bude Final 2 Races in BQA Series!
I hope you all enjoying the summer, getting some good training in and enjoying being out in the elements, open water swimming, paddling nice rivers, and biking and running around the lanes and even hitting the trails! We have just 2 races left in the series this season, Shrewsbury and Bude. Hopefully your a lucky one who has one of the 50 places at Shrewsbury, which sold out in July. However there is one last race that is still open for entries – Last but not least its our Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon in Bude, 16th September!
This is one of our longest running established Quadrathlons in the country, in the lovely Cornish Town of Bude! This race draws me back each year and it never ceases to amaze me, I have raced it in all weathers but mainly blue bird skies …. it is always fun, exciting and challenging, such a great way to end the season! Starting in the sea, we swim along side the breakwater to a buoy where we turn and swim back, (sometimes body surfing) to the beach, where we run back towards the sea lock and jump in for a 2nd lap.
The bike leg is next and there’s plenty of hills on the way out, a scenic challenging ride on small lanes, with 3 tough hills followed by a very fast speedy downhill back to the town. The third discipline is the kayak paddling in the historic canal, several laps with lots of encouragement from spectators and also the ducks! Finally the run is back down the canal tow path, and then up and over the hill to run back along the coastal path, and if you’ve got time make sure you take in the amazing coastal views!
The great thing about this race is its on a Saturday so plenty of time for sun, sand and surf too! Simon from Shoreline Activities, along with his family and friends from Bude, have been running this race for many years, they turn out year in year out always with big smiles and open arms to meet us all. Its great to support them, so make sure you get your entry in (Individual or Team) and lets keep this Great Race ALIVE!
The National Trophy Prizes will be awarded to BQA Members at the Prize Giving also.
Applications on-line or by post. Postal application form attached.
The Race is certainly on in the Men’s National Trophy Series after 3 races its still wide open! At the moment Cliff Odgers is in the lead, closely followed by John Kavanagh and Andrew Lawson. Lance Ball is leading Vet 40, Cliff Vet 50 (roll down Andrew Lawson) and John Kavanagh Vet 60. There are several athletes that could certainly change the standings if they do the last 2 races! Chasing the leaders are Julian Brewer, after a strong win at Box End, Phil Holden, Pete Chappill and Nigel Leeson … so the race is on!
The Ladies Trophy has already been decided as Helen Russell has won 3/3 with only 2 races left no one can match her score. Vet 40 will role down to Sallie Joseph, Vet 50 Jean Ashley and Vet 60 Mary White. But I never like to think its over until the last race, but it in the ladies event it might just be!
World Cup Success for Europeans, GB athletes and for all Quadrathletes accross the age groups 11yrs to 67yrs!!
In the ladies race Helen Russell was 1st out of the swim with Jacqueline Davis a minute behind. Helen just stayed ahead in the kayak, with Jean Ashley paddling well to overtake Jacqueline moving into 2nd place. Helen went out onto the bike just 15 seconds ahead of Jean, but with Helen’s biking strength she stayed in the lead. Jean peddling a cross bike for the first time held 2nd place, with Jacq working hard to try and catch her. Meanwhile Mary White our amazing Vet 60 started to catch up as she put in the 2nd fastest ladies bike split! Helen ran well to take the win (1.56.53.). Jean was pushing as hard as she could on the run, as she was being chased down by newcomer Alice Clarkson. Alice overtook Jean on the final run in and I’m really pleased to say she’s now a Quadrathlon Convert and we will be most certainly be seeing her again! Alice 2nd (2.01.30) Jean 3rd (2.01.59) Jacq held onto 4th (2.06.27) and Mary 5th (2.07.20).
I want to say a Big Thank-you to Mark Pryor for sticking by me and putting on the 2nd ‘QuadKidz’ race of the year! It was a last minute plan after the success of Dearne Valley Quad and it fitted perfectly into the main race.The juniors were inspirational, it’s a tough course for them! Plenty of us cheered them along as we raced, they certainly had to dig deep at times, but they and they all finished, with a smile and a huge sense of Achievement!
World Cup Action! All of you that raced individually at the Brigg Bomber will have World Cup Race points … its a GREAT feeling! If your Inspired and want more come to Box End Sprint Quad – 2nd July ….. there are more World Cup Points to be gained!
Alanna Barron – 35:00
BQA members took the top 6 places – Helen Russell was first out of the swim and went onto the bike with a good lead. Cliff Odgers started to chase her down, but it wasn’t until the return leg of the bike course he over took her. The bike was off road and using part of the Trans Penne Trail which consisted of unmade tracks, despite it being muddy in parts it was ideal for cross bikes, as they proved to be the fastest over the course. Cliff went into the kayak first, followed by Helen, Jacquline Davies, John Kavanagh and Jean Ashley, there were a 
couple of other bikers in between but once they got in the kayaks the seasoned quadrathletes started to pull away. It had started to get a bit choppy in the wind which favored the stronger paddlers. Cliff held onto his lead in the kayak, and went into the run 1st with Helen not to far adrift. Jean in her strongest discipline the kayak, pulled back 2 and half minutes to catch Jacquline and John by the end of the paddle. Pete Chappill another BQA member had a good solid paddle overtaking a lot of paddlers in sea kayaks and plastic kayaks, they were all doing really well in the conditions, but having to work very hard in these smaller kayaks without rudders. Meanwhile on the run Helen took the lead from Cliff and went on to win in 1.45.42, Cliff ran well and finished 2nd in 1.46.24. 
Jacquline having a swift transition went out in 3rd place, but very close behind was Jean and John. John tried to hang on to Jean, but with the Long Course Quad still in his legs he had to drop back. Jean moved into 3rd finishing in 1.52.05, with John 4th just 15 seconds behind 1:52:20. Jacqueline held onto 5th 1:54:44 with Pete in 6th 1.57.44.
It was also good to see Athletes racing from Lincqsquad, well done to first timers 7th Wayne Smith – 1.59.38, 11th Andrew Lawson – 2.06.05, 12th Sallie Joseph – 2.07.04, and a fantastic first time achievement to 26th Amanda Clements – 2.36.47.
A very special mention must go to John MacLeod our first ever Vet 70 competitor he finished 22nd in 2.24.32. In his younger days John was a GB Slalom Paddler and competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. He successfully coached junior & senior GB kayak teams from 1979-1981 culminating in 7 medals being won by GB Team at the 1983 World Championships he worked through to the Barcelona Olympic Games and beyond, all voluntary. Within his coaching and management years, 8 World Championship GOLD medals have been awarded to GB team. In 2009 he was appointed as Canoe Manager for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Rio 2016 responsible for both Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom, both events being extremely successful. John has been a key player in design and commissioning of both Nottingham (1987), Lee Valley (2011) canoe slalom courses, and the very lake you have all been competing on Manvers Lake! Well Done John you are now the number 1 GB Vet 70 QUADRATHLETE!!!
