Category: Race Report

2012 The First Ever Shrewsbury Quad

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A First for Shrewsbury Tri who attached a Quadrathlon to their very successful Triathlon, perfect weather conditions and a great team of organizers certainly put Quadrathlon on the map for Central England!

As it was a trial event we only had 30 places, (sorry for those who had to be turned down, hopefully next year we will have more slots) We had a big cross section of athletes, from our top ranked Quadrathletes to Triathletes giving kayaking a go for the first time, we had Novice Kayakers to some excellent regular marathon paddlers. It was brilliant to see the 12 first timers, its always good to have newcomers to our sport. Everyone that started all finished in fine form, with no problems in the kayak despite the fairly fast flowing river, which had gone down considerably since the previous day!

Mat Stephenson was first out of the swim, but Brendan Reese showing his expert kayaking moved into first place, with Nigel Unwin close behind. Once Mat got on his bike he cycled strongly to move back into the lead, which he held on the run to finish first (and 1st Vet 40) in 1.23.37. Brendan came 2nd 1.25.46 Nigel 3rd 1.28.56. Regular BQA athletes Mark Pryor came 4th 1.36.09 and Tony Runnegar 5th 1.38.31. A great result for first timer Phil Holden in 6th 1.39.20. Peter Chappill was first Vet 50 1.45.02.

The ladies was closely fought with Jean Ashley, Alison Deykin and Sharon Colley, out of the swim and into the kayaks within 15 seconds of each other. Sharon’s brilliant kayaking moved her into a 2 minute lead, which she maintained on the bike, Jean started to chase her down on the run, but Sharon held onto first place 1.41.32, Jean 2nd 1.42.43 with Alison in 3rd 1.49.33, with first timer Elena Ward in 4th 1.55.36.

It was great to see newcomers to our sport, all enjoying the race but for me the highlight was 11 females racing its so good to see more girls out their, I really hope we will be seeing you again!
Full Results Shrewsbury quadrathlon-results

On behalf of the BQA I would like to say a huge thank-you to Gill Otto, SYtri and Shrewsbury Masters for letting us be part of their triathlon, also to the paddlers from Shrewsbury Canoe Club and all the marshalls and helpers who helped make the Quadrathlon a great success. It was an excellent course, very well organised, with so many friendly marshalls it was great to be part of their event and it was so good to see plenty of onlookers enjoying the Quadrathlon!
We hope you’ll have us back next year!

2012 Box End Quadrathlon

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Congratulations to Winners of the Box End Quad, that took part on 5th August. Matt Stephenson won the Mens overall and Vet 40 (1.38.06), very closly followed by Adam Norfolk (1.38.33). Russell Brayer won the Mens vet 50, whilst the young Tom Stead came 5th overall winning the U23. (1.41.42).

In the Ladies Roz Giles won convincingly (2.00.10), with Sarah Roger in 2nd (2.07.43) with Alison Deykin in 3rd (2.13.36)

Race report from Mark Pryor

Sunday morning dawned with a thin vale of mist covering the lakes at Box End as the sun broke through the darkness to make ideal race conditions, even the wind had abated from the previous day.

27 athletes lined up [in the lake] for the Quad and 17 for the Tri for the swim start in the cable tow lake. Matt Chandler was the first out of the water after the 750m swim followed by Matt Stephenson 50 seconds later. After a quick dash in to transition to remove the wet suits and grab the paddles before starting on the 4.4km kayak leg. Adam Norfolk soon showed his special field by gaining any lost ground and paddling skilfully to take the lead. The two portages [between the two lakes] took a few people by surprise as they struggled to get their varied craft over the spit of land, most wishing they had a light K1 racer. Young Tom Stead also put in a good time, much to Matt’s surprise by overtaking him.

Off the water and in to transition again it was time to put on the helmets and wheel out the bikes for the start of the 3 lap [15KM] off- road bike course. This short but surprisingly gruelling circuit was to prove as tough as ever. There were a few frills and spills on the corners as people under estimated the damp grass conditions. The top 6 bike splits were very close but it was young Tom who posted the fastest by about 30 seconds.

It was now all down to the final 5KM run, around the same circuit as the bikes. This is where Matt Stephenson came into his own and set about closing the gap between him and the lead contenders. It was a close finish with Matt crossing the line first in a time of 1:38:06 followed 27 seconds later by Adam Norfolk. Roz Giles was the first lady home after posting some consistent times throughout the four disciplines. Young Tom [sweet 16] came home in fourth overall.

All in all a great race was had by all with some good times posted. All seemed to enjoy themselves, even the nervous first timers. Big thanks to all the helpers and marshals who made the race possible.

Mark Pryor Quadrac Racing

Full results Box End Quad 2012 results.

 

2012 Oberpfalzer Seenland Quadrathlon, German Championships

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Russell Breyer is a newcomer to quadrathlon, (albeit a third season triathlete and occasional paddler), what better way to try a new sport than to load up the car and hoik the family right across to Eastern Bavaria for a top level race? The risk, of course, was of coming last by miles. But what the heck.

My German is next to non-existant, so signing up and getting help with general orientation placed me in the hands of Stefan Teichert, the race director. Fortunately, nothing was too much trouble for Stefan, and it was lovely, when we arrived beside the lake, to have him come bounding over, to check we were all OK, a service he repeated throughout the weekend.

The setting was stunning – a clear watered lake, ringed with forests, dotted with islands. The organisation of the event (there were sprint, standard and middle distance triathlons running alongside the quad) was, well, German. Everything worked with precise efficiency, with spot-on timing, no fuss or muck-ups. Stefan was the epitomie of relaxed bonhomie, and raced in the quad himself, despite his key role in proceedings.

Race day was fine and mild with mostly clear skies and a light breeze (while you lot were getting rain-lashed at the Adventure Challenge!). The swim took us on a single lap around an island. Being out of sight of the finish point for much of the swim made calculating progress a little hard, but otherwise it was lovely. The cycle leg took us on sweeping roads through brooding Bavarian forest. The distance was a little shorter than a standard 40km, at 35km, but I have no problem with that!

The 8km kayak leg involved five laps around the island. This was my first ever kayak race so I was a little disadvantaged by my poor technique and uncompetitive craft (my trusty Pyranha Fusion. You could drive a truck over it, but it is hardly a lean, mean, racing machine). But I stayed in touch, more or less, and learnt a great deal.

The 10km run was a delight, two laps through the shoreside forest, on level, lightly gravelled track. It could have been designed with all my preferences in  mind, and I had a flier.

Now, experienced quadrathletes will have a far greater sense of the european quadrathlon scene than I do, but it struck me that it consists of the same 30 or 40 folk racing each other half a dozen times a year at various points in central europe. Am I right? Anyway, they were a very friendly bunch, and I had a great time. The presentation ceremony was interminable, as it covered all the races, including relays, and I understood not a word, except the bit where they called me up to collect a gong for 3rd placed Male over 50, a fair return for 3hrs 45 mins of effort.

I’d recommend this event to anyone, if you can manage the 9 hour drive from Calais. Well, I now have the quad bug, so you will see me at Brigg, and various other points on the compass (at least, you will if you cast a backward glance as you are racing!) PS, I am now on the lookout for a second hand racing kayak suitable for a 6ft lump with so-so paddling skills, if anyone has such a thing going unused.

Congratulations Russel, and excellent first Quadrathlon and a great report, Thanks! We look forward to seeing you at the Brigg Bomber, and hope you become a regular on the British Quadraththlon Circuit.

 

2012 West Wight Quadrathlon

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After a week of gales the weather gods smiled (well frowned) on our first Quadrathlon. 20 to 30 knot winds became 5 to 8knots and a gentle english drizzle met our intrepid competitors. A perfectly formed squad of 11 people started the great adventure. 24 lengths of a warm clean pool at 07;30 hrs was a gentle wake up for the next leg. A mountain bike course over the Tennison Downs trail. By now Mat Trautman had disappeared into the rain and by the end of the bike ride had a lead of 15mins! So as he started the kayak leg (held onthe Solent side of the Island this year) one of the safety boats had yet to lay the turning Mark! But two Honda 90 hp engines can beat even a supper fit South African. But at the end he had set a blistering time of 2:14:41(obviously the course record). BQA GB Team member and 1st Vet Ian Smith came home in 2nd place 2:30:38.

Everybody completed the course the tailenders taking 3:37:06 after a slightly shortened paddle. Prize giving took place as soon as everybody had recovered;each competitor received a small porcelain mug suitably engraved as a momento of the day.

Will we do it again next year? …… you bet we will! So watch the West Wight Sports Centre, IOW Adventure Activities and BQA web sites for next year.

A Big thank-you to Mike Raydon and his Crew for putting on this excellent Race, Ive had some great feedback and this very positive comment from BQA member Philip Nye ‘We had a great race yesterday, with weather much better than the forecast predicted a few days before. The cycle route up the downs afforded spectacular views (for those with the time to look) and although the paddle was changed from the original plan due to forecast gales (which in the end had died before Sunday), it was still a high point with a moderate easterly blowing down the Solent into a gathering tidal flow which made the later paddlers work quite hard. It was a shame not to see some more of the regular faces there – you all need to man up and face some water which isn’t mirror flat! Many thanks to Mike Rayden for a very friendly and well organized event.’

RESULTS

1st Matt Trautman  2:14:41
2nd Ian Smith        2:30:38
3rd Simon Baxter   2:48:14
4th Adam Younger  2:57:32
5th Cathy Allen        3:04:31
6th Phillip Nye         3:27:32
7th Natalie Bee        3:27:30
8th George Huston Roberts   3:32:55
9th  Nigel Selly        3:37:06
10th Sally Pulvertoft    3:31:10 (after a shortened Kayak)
11th Sarah Edminds  3:31:10  (after a shortened Kayak)

2012 North Lincs Adventure Challenge

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Sunday 3rd June 2012 saw the 11th running of the North Lincs Adventure Challenge organised Lincsquad.

Even the infamous Adventure Challenge race day weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 32 competitors bravely taking the start line in the early morning rain, ahead of them a cold and wet 36km cycle, 10km kayak and 10km river bank run.

The Sprint race competitors decided to compete in the full distance race at the last minute and looked like they enjoyed every minute, well done Tom Stead, Alan Cardy & birthday girl Denise Smith.

The Challenge race is different to many other races as competitors set off at 1 minute intervals so know one really knows for sure where they stand during the race, you just go as hard as you can to the end. However technically, the lead changed hands numerous times throughout the race.

Lincsquad’s Steve Dolby started off strong, putting in the fastest bike split of 54:45, followed closely by Lincsquad’s, Matt Stevenson (55:51). Matt Foulger and Ian Smith then put in blistering kayak splits of 45:44 and 47:14 to take 1st & 2nd on the road, followed in 3rd overall by Matt Stevenson (54:27).

The 10km run is no ordinary 10km run, two thirds of the run are uneven grass tracks along the river bank, which make it especially tough, the fastest run split of the day was Matt Stevenson (40:11), closley followed by Lincsquad newcomer Kev Fish (41:46), then Ian Smith (42:09) and Matt Foulger (43:07).

Matt Stevenson’s fast run however was not enough to close the gap on the leaders and meant he came in 3rd overall. Ian Smith overtook Matt Foulger towards the end of the run, but Matt kept Ian in his sights, with the knowledge that he started 1 minute behind Ian, so all he had to do was cross the finsh line less than a minute behind to have a chance of victory.

Matt Foulger – Overall Winner

In the end, just 33 seconds separated the two which meant that the new North Lincs Adventure Challenge Champion was Matt Foulger (Nottingham) in a time of 2:28:58, from Ian Smith (Ross on Wye) 2:29:31.

The ladies title was just as closely fought through the bike & kayak section with only a couple of minutes separating Jean Ashley & Alison Deykin, however Jean pulled away on the run to win the ladies title in a time of 3:01:14. Alison in 2nd  in 3.16.45.

The team race was won by David Durham (bike), David Ashley (kayak) & Chris Spavin (run) in a cracking time of 2:42:31, solo entry next year guys?

The award for the fastest “first-timer” went to up and coming youngster Tom Stead, who stepped up to the full distance at short notice and ranked well in each of the three discipline’s.

The 1st veteran trophies were awarded to Nigel Crowe (4th overall) & Alison Deykin on rolldown.

The local council award for the first local was presented by Carl Sherwood, Mayor of Brigg and was awarded to Adam Moorhouse.

The award for most improved (after some detailed calcualtions) went to David Finch, who knocked nearly 20 minutes off last years time, a massive improvement.

A special well done to Andrew Yeadon and Pete Chappill who are the only 2 competitors remaining who have competed in each of the 11 North Lincs Adventure Challenges, a tremendous effort.

Congratulations to all competitors today, the conditions were poor, but you all gave it everything, most of the time with a huge smile on your face, I’m sure you have inspired and encouraged others to follow you into the wonderful world of multi-sport. Hope to see you all at the Brigg Bomber in July.

Finally, a huge thank you to the many Lincsquad members, family & friends who have helped organise, set up, marshall, time keep and pack away. You have all helped make this event very special and should be extremely proud of yourselves for putting on such a great show, well done.

Final thoughts ….. can I urge everyone who played a part in today’s race whether you competed, marshalled or spectated to help us make sure that events such as these (North Lincs Adventure Challenge & Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon) continue, we need more people to enter these races, you can enter the full distance race as a solo or team competitor, or the shorter sprint version, but we need you, your family, your friends to enter and keep them alive. I guarantee you have a great time.

2011-12 Wadenhoe Winter Challenge Race 4 Tom’s Report

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Sunday, 5 February ….Wadenhoe Race 4 – Hears a quick update from Winner of Wadenhoe Quad Series Tom Stead.

‘YAY for the weather forecast……… it was right!! There was at least 14cm of snow settled on the roof of the car! Theres Snow Business Like Wadensnow Business… it was going to be a cold tough days racing!
Ive finished the last Wadenhoe of the series today and it was great fun, didn’t break any records, (obviously) because of the SNOW, but it was  great to get out and to see everyone there. Although numbers where limited I had some great ‘head to head’ races, so thank you Steve on the run stage and thank you Keith on the kayak stage. As a bonus no one had an unexpected swim. On the bike stage those that were watching commented on the fact that although it was obviously hard, every one seemed to be ‘enjoying’ themselves and took to the event with great humour. Many of these onlookers spent their time shaking their heads in disbelief!
I heard that the Frostbite Race was cancelled…? They missed out in some proper amazing fun in the snow. I suspect the guys down at Wadenhoe are made of slightly sterner stuff…’ 

Thanks to Mark Pryor and his Team for putting on the Winter Series. Full Series Results below

Final Wadenhoe Results

Check out some more very brave (or slightly crazy) athletes http://tomstead.blogspot.com/p/race-photos.html

Well done Tom … certainly one to watch and made of very strong stuff!!