Category: News

2012 New Trophy Race Shrewsbury Quad!

Admin

Shrewsbury Triathlon 2nd September 2012

Due to the cancellation of the eXtreme5 Quad the BQA have added this Sprint Distance Quad to our National Trophy Series it is Race no 5, the week before the final Race in Bude.

The majestic town of Shrewsbury welcomes you to the staging of its Triathlon and Quadrathlon. The Triathlon now in its second year, has adapted to your needs and will include family events as well. In collaboration with SYTri and  Shrewsbury Masters , the event provides a unique river swim, then Kayak, followed by fast stretches of cycling on country lanes and a lovely run taking in the River Severn.

The event is held at the Shropshire and West Midlands Showground and offers plenty of parking, toilets and other facilities. Full information – Race Pack

Event Information – Shrewsbury Sprint Triathlon and Quadrathlon
Sunday 2nd September 2012
Venue: West Mids Show Ground, Berwick Rd, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

The event is an Open Water Sprint Triathlon and a Quadrathon event both being held on the same day.

The distances are; Triathlon: 500m Swim/23km Cycle (undulating)/5km Run.
Cost: £30 BTF Members £33 Non BTF Members
(300 entries, closing date 8th August)

Quadrathlon: 500m Swim/5km Kayak/23km Cycle (undulating) / 5km Run
Cost: £35 all participants
(50 entries, closing date 26th August)

 

 

2012 Devizes to Westminster Race

Admin
Quadrathlete Jean Ashley, along with K2 partner Tamsin Phipps has just completed the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon, the longest non-stop canoe marathon in the world – 125 miles with 76 portages! Her story …….
Ive just about got all the kit clean, sleep deprivation back, and finally feel like eating food again … after a bit of an epic DW …..a journey I had planned and visualised for ages, but didn’t quite go as expected!
Our trip was certainly an adventure, all started very well good weather conditions no wind and drizzle, and going to schedule until…….. a hold up at the long tunnel a slow moving barge took 21mins to clear the 1 mile tunnel …… we got a bit cold but carried on no problems at all. Everyone has dark times and I had mine at about 50 miles, I went through a sick stage…… but just drank and drank and soon pulled out of it. We pulled back all our lost tunnel time by Marlow (70 miles), and moved back into the lead in Vet female catagory (3rd in ladies overall and 3rd in century caagory … ages adding up to a 100, not really sure if I should own up to that one!) … so feeling great and both moving into the night strong and positive! The night was warm and dry but the lack of flow made the Thames feel like paddling through mud, especially building the momentum back up after each portage, the portages were very high so getting in and out was rather tough too, but we were still going to hit the tide 2hrs in so all was fine we were ‘on schedule’. I was getting very excited about the tideway and had already started visualising famous bridges and the Westminster steps …… How wrong was I?
Then going down from Molesy to Teddington (107miles), completely out of the blue Tamsin started to have back pain and stomach cramps. We were just pulling into ‘Royals canoe club’ (400mbeforeTeddington Rollers) for our spraydecks and camel backs and Tamsin cramped up and capsized the boat, we got ourselves together and got back in thinking she was fine ……. anyway pulled out ofTeddington and same happened again….. we went for another swim!
We gave her some food and liquid and a good talking too and she decided she was fine to carry on …….. I don’t know how I kept her going for 10 miles but by the time we got to Hammersmith Bridge she was just leaning on the back of the boat not able to sit up and paddle …… I was struggling to keep the boat going but with only 7 miles to go ….. and being two very ‘stubborn old birds’ ….neither wanted to give up. We pulled over to the side and we lifted her out of the boat thinking she would be ok after a breather …… our support crew said it was too dangerous for us to get back in ….. not finishing the race was never an option so I had to get to the finish somehow ….. so we walked to the finish carrying the K2!
It took us 3hrs to walk 8 miles in, we made a sling to carry the boat out of roof rack straps, Tamsin had to be supported both sides by our support crew, she showed true grit to keep going ….. we even stoped at Costa next to Harrods for a latte … anything to keep her walking!
It was very emotional and I felt so disappointed seeing our vet ladies lead slip away ……… but when you start on the DW journey you never know what’s going to happen, I didn’t expect 119 mile paddle, 7 mile hike and a bit of swimming!!! But we did it ……. and had a wonderful reception at Westminster their were plenty of tears when we got our medals!
It wasTamsins 25th Anniversay since she did her first DW, so I had NO OPTION to get her to the finish line …… she’s just got one more DW to do and she’ll become a member of the 1000 mile club (thats 8DW’s or more)……… so looks like she’ll be out their again …….. and Ive only got another 6 to do!!!!
Our time was 27h 25m 49s we came 5th/12 ladies teams 2nd/6 vet ladies …. and 5th/12 century catagory.

The DW always brings up memorable stories of achievement and sometimes of epic failure, but that is the challenge of the DW Marathon. It made me realise to get to the finish no mater what absolutely epitomises the spirit of the event, that’s everyones dream ‘to be added to that finishers list and to be part of the DW Folklore!

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2012 Race Callender

Admin

I hope Quadrathletes, and like minded athletes are out there, are getting back into training, and thinking about the 2012 Season. We’ve never had so many races on offer, which is great news for our sport lets hope there’s plenty of entries for our race organisers this year, who do a Stirling job in promoting Quadrathlons!

However the British Quadrathlon Association [BQA], who works hard on your behalf, needs your help. You can support us by signing up to the BQA for a mere £15.00. We need the funds to keep the BQA well oiled machine [some may say] working. The funds raised from the BQA Membership ensure that we can continue to run and organise the National Trophy Series and represent the interest of the sport in the UK and on the World stage. Membership forms for 2012 available on our website now.

It would also be very helpful if as many people as possible could sign up to our newsletter and Facebook page [both links from BQA website]. In this modern, busy, high tech world, Facebook and the internet are readily available and is an ideal way to keep in touch with fellow athletes and find out all the up to date information about Quadrathlon. Along side our website you should find all the up to date information.

Hear’s just a quick reminder of BQA sanctioned Races for 2012.

2012 National Trophy Series

27th May 2012  The Deeside Triathlon – N.T. Round 1
Starts at Highland Games Arena, Braemar, Scotland. Point to Point race.
35 mile bike, 10 mile run, 14 mile river kayak.

3rd June 2012  North Lincs Adventure Challenge – N.T.Round 2
Ancholme Leisure Centre, Brigg, North Lincolnshire
STANDARD 36km road bike, 10km flat river kayak, 10km trail run.

SPRINT 20km road bike, 5km flat river kayak, 5km trail run.

7th July  2012 Extreme 5 Challenge – N.T. Round 3
Thames Young Mariners, Waterside Drive, Ham, Richmond, Surrey                  STANDARD 1.5 km swim, 10km kayak, 40km bike, 10km run.

SPRINT 750km swim, 5km kayak, 20km bike, 5km run.

15th July 2012  Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon – N.T. Round 4 British Championships
Ancholme Leisure Centre, Brigg, North Lincolnshire
STANDARD 1.5 km river swim, 8km river kayak, 40km road bike, 10km road run.

SPRINT 750km river swim, 3.5km river kayak, 20km road bike, 5km road run.

5th August  2012 The Boxend Sprint Quadrathlon – N.T. Round 5
Box End Park, near Bedford, Bedfordshire
750m lake swim, 4.4km lake kayak, 13.2km mountain bike, 5 km x-c run.

8th September 2012 The Awesome Foursome – N.T.Round 6
Bude, Cornwall
800m sea swim, 30km road bike, 10km canal kayak,10k run.

Quad Races Affiliated to BQA but not Trophy Races for 2012

10 June 2012 West Wight Sprint Quadrathlon
Isle of Wight – 600m pool swim, 12m MT Bike, 6nm Sea Kayak, 6km Run

23 June 2012 Norfolk Superhero Challenge
Burnham Overy, Staith – 1 mile swim, 4 mile kayak, 38mile bike, 7 mile run.

2nd September 2012 Shrewsbury Sprint Quadrathlon (to be confirmed)

30 September 2012 The Fabian 4 Dyffryn Conway Mountain Triathlon
Conway N. Wales -13 km esturay kayak, 10km fell run, 15km MTBike.

For more information on race details visit our events page.
Along with the National Trophy Series and the European World Cup Races, the future of Quadrathlon has never looked so good in the UK. News of GB Team Selection, and World Championship details will follow soon, also BQA clothing, embroidered Hoodys and Technical T shirts will be available to purchase soon, so keep posted lots going on this season!

World Cup Races and News can be found on the WQF website World Quadrathlon Federation

Hear’s wishing everyone involved in our diverse multi-sport a successful year, Year of the Olympics so plenty of motivation for training, great racing and lots of fun along the way …… The Journey is as important as the result … Never Stop the Adventure!

BQA

2012 Newport Olympic Torch Festival

Admin

Newport has in the past been a great little multi- sports weekend, comprising of Kayaking MT Biking, Cycle sportif and 10 km Run race. Plus fantastic training runs along the coastal paths and an excellent venue for Sea Kayaking. This year the Olympic Torch will run through Newport so they have changed the format for the weekend its now called ‘The Olympic Torch Festival’ lots of fun events going on all weekend, the format is as follows.

Saturday 26th May will be the sporty day its a Quadrathlon, albeit a very short one comprising- 5Km MTBike Race, 1000 meter Kayak Race, 8Km Road Cycling Time Trial, 4Km Run. These will be spread thoughout the day and be individual or combined/team events.
The evening will include a 4Km Torch Walk around Newport and then
evening activities including fireworks.

Sunday 27th May we will have our Mini Olympics with all sorts of fun mass participation races –  Egg-N-Spoon, Wheelbarrow, sack races  etc etc.  The offical Olympic torch will pass through mid afternoon. We will also have a combined 10Km Run and a 4Km & 10Km walking Race on a multilap course in the town either before or after the torch passes through (advertised as fancy dress!). There will be other activities i.e. tennis, badminton, table tennis, golf and an Olympic Quiz etc.  It is not as out-and-out sporty as previously as the aim is for a diverse event for wide participation.

So its a real Fun and Family weekend if anyone is interested hears the website

http://www.newport.gov.uk/newportFestival/index.cfm/events

New Races for 2012 World Cup Quadrathlon

Admin

With a long-term view to develop Quadrathlon, the World Quadrathlon Federation (WQF), is pleased to add a two brand new race events for the 2012/2013 World Cup season. The Murray Quad in Australia  launches the first event of the 2012/2013 Quadrathlon World Cup, as well as it being the inaugural Quadrathlon event in Australia. Another addition to the World Cup, is a new event in Wolsztyn, West Poland.

The Murray Quad, set for December 15th, 2012, will be a long distance Quadrathlon and is scheduled to run alongside several other multi-discipline events. The long distance event will uniquely run in an odd order which has been sanctioned  by the WQF, as Swim 3.5 km, then Run 20.5 km followed by a cycle of 81 km and finally the kayak section over 25 km, giving a total distance of 130km. The unusual race order is a safety measure for the athletes who will compete in the regions average summer temperatures of 28-32C (82-89F). The event is planned to run along the Murray River starting in the town of Yarrawonga, around 280km north of Melbourne. International Athletes can be catered for as a kayak rental scheme is being set up. Some International interest has been shown as the challenge to compete in the multisport hotspot of Australia is very exciting, and to escape the dreary Northern Hemisphere winter.

The Wolsztyn middle distance race in West Poland, is being planned for August 17th, 2013. The organisers hope that this event will draw many top Quadrathlon athletes from neighbouring Germany and Czech Republic. Additionally, the August 17th date is right in the middle of several prominent World Cup events.

The WQF hopes that these new events will draw many new Quadrathletes to the sport.

2011-12 Wadenhoe Winter Challenge Race 3

Admin

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

WADENHOE 3 11-12 QUAD RESULTS

WADENHOE 3 11-12 RBR RESULTS

WADENHOE 11-12 SERIES RESULTS

 

 

 

2012 Fabian4 Dyffryn Conwy Mountain Triathlon’

Admin

Exciting News ….. we have a new race in our Quadrathlon Calendar for 2012. A group of athletes in the Conwy Valley have formed themselves into a club, Map17 Events, and are organising a mountain Triathlon on 30th September, to raise funds for the Snowdonia Society.

It will involve an open estuary 13k kayak leg (with tide), followed by a c.12 -16k fell run & finishing with a c.15k MTB leg. They anticipate an entry of approx. 100 individuals & 30 mixed teams of 3.

The Kayak leg start is at Morfa Conwy, & the event centre & Run/MTB transition are at Nant Conwy Rugby Club (which has excellent facilities), near Trefriw. There may be a possibility of adding a swim, but it’s likely that this won’t happen until after 2012.

This is great News for Quadrathlon and its great to have a new race in this very picturesque Conwy Valley, North Wales. The website with further information will be open soon … so watch this space for further information. fabian4.co.uk

 

Murray Quad Australia 2012

Admin

Do you want to escape the snow wet and cold ……. well maybe next year you can ….. 15th December marks the one year count down to the First Murray QUAD – Australia’s first Diamond Man a 130 km race that involves a swim, run, bike and kayak. In Yarrawonga we had beautiful weather about 30 degrees with little or no wind! Our club the Yarrawonga Mulwala Amateur Canoe Club, is based on the Murray River Australia’s largest river that is also home the iconic Murray Marathon a 404km canoe race that starts in Yarrawonga and finishes in Swan Hill that is held every year from Boxing day to New years eve.

The distance of each leg of the course will be a 1.7km swim on Lake Mulwala, a 21km run around Yarrawonga, a 83km bike ride from Yarrawonga to Cobram and a 25km paddle downstream on the Murray River from Cobram to Tocumwal. Original we were looking to make the event a half ironman distance plus a kayak leg, but we have now decided to make it a distance that suits the course rather than idea of an ironman plus kayak, this will allow an area for warm up before the swim (the lagoon at the rowing club) as well as give us a starting point big enough for one start.

The bike ride can now also go straight from the Tocumwal Road to Thompsons beach in Cobram. With the help of many local and Melbourne sporting clubs we aim to keep the entry costs to a minimum. In the next couple of weeks I will finalise the sanctioning of the event, date, start time, course, entry costs, registration dates, rules and regulations. We would also like to make this a qualifying event for the 2013 World Quadrathlon Championships in Europe as well as a WQF world cup race.
Once this is sorted I will start to look for some sponsors for the event, as well as partners to help with printing, advertising, equipment hire, merchandise including event T-Shirts, fundraising distribution and charities. etc.
It would be great to have some international athletes attend our event and hopefully we can build up the sport of Quadrathlon so one day we can have some of our athletes coming over to one of your events.
We plan to have our event sanctioned by our state governing body Canoeing Victoria and are looking into also have the governing Triathlon body TriVic also sanctioning the event therefore we can have two associations involved as Quad races are new to Australia we do have adventure races such as the Lorne Anaconda race that involves a ocean swim, run, mountain Bike ride and ocean paddle which is held on the first Sunday of December. So there is a number of events that may interest your members around this time each year.
Will keep you informed

Hope you all have a good Christmas…… and maybe see some of you next year!
Regards
Tim Roadley
Sec of the Yarrawonga Mulwala Amateur Canoe Club.
0417373376

2011 Wadenhoe Quadmire Challenge Series Race 2

Admin

Hear are the results for the Wadenhoe Quadmire Challenge Race 2, not many racing in the run/kayak/bike/run, but congratulations to Tom Stead who won convincingly.  The run/bike/run that was more popular, with Matthew Wooton taking 1st place with Rob Hammond close behind. There are still 2 more races left in the Series so kick start your training in the New Year and get down to Wadenhoe! With a choice of either the Duathlon or Quadrathlon, the race dates are 15th January and 5th February, you need to take part in a minimum of two races to qualify for a possible trophy at the end of the series, so there’s still time!

December’s Results

Wadenhoe overall

Wadenhoe 2 KCR results

Wadenhoe 2 RBR results

OFF Road Quadrathlon, consists off:
3 mile Cross Country Run, 2.5 laps (Spikes, studs are recommended) includes a quagmire. 2 mile River Kayak, out and back on the River Nene (Buoyancy aids are compulsory). 6 mile Off-Road Cycle, 6 laps [undulating course, can be very wet] – helmets compulsory. MTB/cyclocross bike1 Mile Cross Country Run, 1 lap (as above).
The Run-Bike-Run [2m-6m-2m] will race over the same course (without the kayak section).
Exhilarating racing in the Raw! With homemade soup and bacon butties to follow!
Venue: Church Field, Wadenhoe, Nr Oundle, Peterborough, Grid Ref: TL006833

For further information www.quadracracing.co.uk.

For entry form http://www.quadracracing.co.uk/Wadenhoe_quadmire_entry_11_12.doc

Mark Pryor

 

 

2012 Extreme 5 Challenge

Admin

We are winding off 2011 by launching the 2012 Extreme 5 Challenge event and I am pleased to say that entries are now open and can be submitted via our website www.extreme5challenge.co.uk. There is an early bird special on any entry fee paid before 31st Jan which may be of interest to the BQA members.

The format of the 2012 event is the same as for 2011. The key difference is a change of venue. Willen lake has served our purposes very well over the past couple of years and we now have an event which is well positioned with great growth prospects. For 2012 we have moved the event to Ham near Richmond in Surrey. The Thames Young Mariners have a facility there with inland water (also has access to the Thames though we don’t plan to use it) and a similar network of roads and paths as found in Milton Keynes which we can use for the run and the cycle. We’re very excited about it and hope that the London venue will boost the number of people participating in both the individual and team events. We have exclusive use of the facility for the day and cost wise it will save us a considerable amount of money which from a charity perspective is great.

The Extreme5 is a BQA National Trophy Race, so plenty of points to collect for the Trophy Series. Race date is Saturday 7th July 2012. Start time will be about 09h15. Enter early …… a discount on entry fees paid before 31st Jan 2012!

Simon Grint