Everyone’s a Winner at Dearne Valley Quad 2017
What a brilliant day a Dearne Valley Quadrathlon, there was so much passion for our sport, with non stop smiles as juniors, first timers, and seasoned quadrathletes crossed the finish line! Organizer Mark Benton and his ‘Team’ of volunteers and marshals hosted a great race for us all, there enthusiasm and friendliness shone through, to make this event a huge success, thank -you you did your selves proud!
Well done to under 12’s Ewan Joseph (Lincsquad) winning the Boys and Hermione Ball winning the girls. Alanna Barron and Chris Thoday (Manvers Tri) in the under 15’s had a real battle, but it was Alanna’s kayaking skills that gave her the edge as she paddled very well into the lead, I’m sure they will both be back with even more determination and skill next year. A huge achievement to all that took part!
Results Quadkidz (ages 9 to 12):100m Swim, 2k Bike, 400m Kayak, 2km Run.
Ewan Joseph – 28:12
Hermione Ball – 33:33
Sophie Portess – 36:09
Henry Joseph – 42:28
Laura Portess – 52:12
Charlotte Clements – DNF
Results Quadkidz (ages 13 to 15):200m Swim, 4km Bike, 800m Kayak, 2km Run.
Alanna Barron – 35:00
Chris Thoday – 38:31
Fran Ball – 45:55
Matthew Portess – 50:35
After watching the juniors fly past, we were all motivated and ready to get going, the wind had picked up slightly but it was a warm and cloudy so a good temperature for racing, even though the water was a bit chilly at about 15 degrees. It was a real mixture of athletes racing 50 in total, with 28 doing the quad and 22 the Triathlon, we had 9 seasoned BQA Members and plenty of triathletes giving the quad a go for the first time, plus some amazing first timers new to racing but certainly looked like they had given everything and had a great time! It truly was and all-inclusive race, showing the onlookers what an amazing race Manvers Waterfront Boat Club had organized!
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.
Other BQA members – 9th Lance Ball – 2.04.53
14th John Redmond – 2.07.54
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.
It’s always good to perform well on race day, but the real Stars of the day were those first timers that gave it their all too, it was so good to see people from all walks of life participating, and to see those juniors taking on the challenge, every single one of them finishing with a great sense of achievement afterwards.
A huge thanks once again to Mark Benton and his support crew at Manvers Waterfront Boat Club, an excellent day full of ‘Firsts’ for many people, everyone finished safely and with a smile which were Mark’s wishes, so bask in your glory, keep training and we hope to see you all next year or maybe Box End Quadrathlon2nd July in Bedford!
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!!!
The weather gods were on our side: blue sky, sun, little wind and few waves – ideal conditions. The swim was 750m, in two laps with a short beach run in between, so that the spectators could see how the race was developing. Immediately afterwards we set off for three circuits of the kayak course (a total of 4km).
Age groups were also strongly represented, among others, the 66-year-old Mary White from England put in an impressive performance.
Organizer ‘Simon’ was as cool as ever, giving us a good comprehensive race briefing, but leaving the swim course decision until the last moment just in case the wind changed with the turn of the tide. The swim was slightly shorter with the turn buoy within the breakwater to save us from the huge waves, but knowing the Cornish Surf Lifeguards were bobbing about out there too … we just knew we would be safe!
Going onto the bike there was plenty of tough competition, and some excellent bike splits … it was all down to who could handle the head wind and the 3 very steep climbs! Again ‘Gully Blue Fins’ had the fastest split 50.18. Last year’s BQA Trophy winner Nigel Unwin was having a strong bike leg 53.41 and went into the lead, but only just in front of Chris, Simon, Mike Rudd and Matt Rayment. Despite the strong head winds up the hills everyone flew back into Bude … great down hills and a tail wind certainly felt good for us all!
In the Ladies race Lucy Obolensky had the fastest swim 20.11, with Jacqueline Davies seconds behind 20.15. Jean Ashley was out in 3rd place. They remained in this order throughout the bike leg, Jacq and Jean both more experienced paddlers overtook Lucy, and Jacq remained in the lead, despite having a capsize at the turn buoy. Jean didn’t quite catch her on the kayak leg but had eaten into her lead just 30 seconds behind as they went onto the run. Jacq was running well but Jean had caught her up by the end of the canal and went on to enjoy the wild and windy run route to take the win! BQA members Mary White (amazing lady Vet 60) came in strong in 3rd place and Vicky Price having the bravest race of her life so far came just behind in 4th, we hope this is going to be her start of what’s going to be a ‘Quadrathlete in the Making’.
Jean’s daughter ‘Lucy Ashley’ was a member of the Chester Canoe Team (U22’s) they finished 4th/9 teams, Lucy was first out on the run, after Team member David Hatton won the kayak leg, they finished a very creditable 4th/9 in the Team Event.
The tidal flow in the middle of the estuary could easily be seen from the bank travelling at a fast pace to help us upstream. Having sought advice beforehand, I decided not to use my flat water racer, but instead, play it safe and borrow a friends stable sea kayak. I was one of the first onto the water at 11am to paddle down to the start and get a feel for this kayak that I hadn’t used before. The start was at a bank near to Conwy Castle. The bank was smooth except for a tiny small jagged part which I spotted and thought would make a good point to hold on to whilst waiting around. Unfortunately it was a bit too jagged and I cut my finger on it. Not the best way to start my race.
Considering how much effort I had put in on the kayak, I felt pretty good starting the run. It’s always the discipline that I’m happiest in. After crossing the road, the path became very steep, so then it was just a hard walk most of the way until the flattish track that leads to the reservoir. Once on this track I got into a rhythm running alongside someone wearing an Eryri Harriers top. We chatted and swapped stories. I know Eryri runners like their fell races, so thought that I couldn’t be doing too badly if I was managing to keep up with one of them.
Congratulations to Winner Steve King who took the lead from the start, unfortunately his closest rival Adam Norfolk had to withdraw due to injury, but Chris Carter (Adam’s Friend from Nottingham KC) came along in the hope of catching Steve! Steve put in the fastest splits across all 4 disciplines to win comfortably (1.22.43). So the battle was for 2nd place. Chris and Phil Holden played cat and mouse throughout, but Chris just had the edge and ran home 2nd (1.35.41) with Phil 3rd (1.36.49).
There was a fantastic 18 Ladies competing in the event, with more than half first timers! Jean Ashley was first out of the Swim/Kayak but was overtaken by 2 very speedy bikers, Helen Russell and Kate Burgoyne both looking very strong. Helen had a very strong run, came 4th overall and 1st Lady (1.37.37) with Kate 5th overall 2nd lady (1.41.41). Jean and Jacqueline Davies came in on the bike together but Jean moved ahead on the run to hold 3rd place (1.44.29) with Jac in 4th (1.46.23). We had 5 other ‘BQA Girls’ racing very well and earning vital Trophy Points.
Despite the entries being low, (compared to the World Cup Race last year) there was certainly some great Racing at Box End Sprint Quad on Sunday 17th July. Our top GB Quadrathletes were out in force and over two thirds of the competitors were all BQA members all supporting this great race! Superb conditions warm with a slight breeze and excellent under foot and tyre for the cross bikes! Once again great organization and all within the Watersports Park, ideal for spectators …. You couldn’t wish a better way to spend a morning, dressed in Lycra, surrounded by the best crowd of like-minded athletes!
