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Deva Divas Quad 2025

Jean Ashley
Inspirational Race Briefing from Ravi

Another special Deva Divas the only Ladies Quadrathlon in the World, the 8th year in the making! The rain was torrential at 6.00am but by the time the athletes started to arrive it was only light drizzle, thankfully as the race got underway the rain cleared and the sunshine came out! But whatever the weather there was always going to be sunshine in everyone’s heart and as always plenty of very happy ladies!

Chester Kayak Group at the ready
Transition ready for Action
Kayak Transition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m very proud to be part of Chester Triathlon Club, and Sailing & Canoeing Chester Chester Canoeing and the ‘Special Team’ who gave up so much time to make this event ‘just one of the best!’ Big Thanks to John Hatton and Carol Hatton who played a huge part in coaching the Deva kayakers, and helped out all weekend to! Along with BQA members Dave Ashley, Lance Ball, David Jones, plus some extra help from Manvers! As always there are a long list of volunteers, and a Key Team who give so much time to make the Deva Divas Event so special, huge well done to our new Race Director Nicola Perrins, she left no stone unturned and everything went brilliantly!

Happy Manvers Finishers

19 years on and 8 years of Quadrathlon it’s been yet another memorable Race Day! Thank you to all you Deva Quad Girls for giving it your all, you pushed hard, smiled all the way and inspired many onlookers with your enthusiasm to take on 4 disciplines, it’s been a great pleasure to be part of your journey … and I’ll say it again, I’m so proud of you all … wear your T-Shirt & your medal – Bask in Your Glory … You did it!!✊ Don’t Cry because its over, Smile because it Happened!

There was some great competitive racing in the top half of the field, most have their own goals, agendas and ambitions, many race for charities but one thing is fore sure …. there are smiles all the way and every single one of those Devas are Winners! But Congratulations also must go to our Winner Rose Durrant, with Katy Walker in 2nd Place,  and BQA Member Tora Oetgen in 3rd place.

 

Full Results Deva-Divas-2025

Overall Rose Durrant, Katy Walker, Tora Oetgen

OVERAL WINNERS
1st Rose Durrant (Senior) – 2.00.25
2nd Katy Walker (Senior) – 2.08.00
3rd Tora Oetgen BQA (Vet 40) – 2.08.24 1st Vet 40

AGE GROUP WINNERS
3rd & 1st Vet 40 Tora Oetgen BQA – 2.08.24
4th & 1st Vet 60 Pauline Percy – 2.10.59
6th & 1st Vet 50 BQA Helen Adams – 2.11.20
32nd & 1st Vet 70 Gill Otto – 2.49.47

Seniors Rose, Katy & Lorna
Vet 40 Tora, Stefania & Lesley
Vet 50 Helen, Diane & Jacquline
Vet 60 Pauline, Liz & Coral
Vet 70 Gill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR SUPPORTIVE BQA MEMBERS 
11th Lorna Quinn BQA – 2.25.06
19th Janet Green BQA – 2.35.58
22nd Caroline Jones BQA – 2.40.43
23rd Geraldine Richards BQA – 2.40.48
39th Elaine Oliver BQA – 3.05.11

It was also great to see past BQA members – Liz Dawson (7th 2.13.34) Jacqueline Davies (16th 2.31.29) and Gill Otto (Vet 70- winner 2.49.47) who was the instigator of the fabulous Shrewsbury Quadrathlon, thank you for supporting the Deva Divas.

 

 

Watch our amazing Race Video … captures the Event Just Perfectly! https://www.facebook.com/devadivastri/videos/712810748054630

An amazing selection of photos available for Free Downlads THANKS Mick Hall Free Downloads – mickhallphotos.photohawk.com/galleries/deva-divas-2025

We have had some Amazing Race Tributes hear are just a few from the Wonderful Divas … Thank you Girls!

What an amazing day yet again doing the Deva Divas Quadathlon! The most friendly and inspiring event with incredible Marshalls and supporters, yes I’m well down in the second half of the finishers and I will admit getting down when others aren’t happy and yet they beat me hands down. But I have to remember that I’m fit and healthy enough to still take part. Thank to Marshalls who sorted me a new chip when I left mine at home! Thanks to the incredible Jean Ashley and Dave, Carol and John who coach us kayaking and give up race weekend as well. And to the other Diva Kayakers for their friendship. Thanks to Wrecsam Tri friends who marshalled or biked out to support us, when I was at the end of first lap and coming up the the finish and heard my name being shouted I felt like the luckiest girl in the world ❤️ …. Sue 

Just want to say a great big thankyou to everyone for putting on such a magnificent event. The organisation, Marshall’s, safety crew, volunteers and everyone worked so hard to ensure all competitors had the best experience ever. It was a joy to take part among such inspirational and motivating ladies, from the young and spritely to the old and definitely not past it! From start to finish there were words of encouragement and positivity from supporters and fellow competitors. Everyone had a chance to succeed at their own level and be proud at the finish. To anyone out there who is thinking about it…just do it! Another great big thanks! 👏👏👏 Geraldine
 
Thank you (and David Jones & Co. and Chester Tri Club) for yet another fabulous Deva Diva! Really appreciate all the hard work that goes into making this such a friendly and empowering event. So much inspiration out on that course 🤩 Love it and can’t wait for next year! Tora
 

I am a member of Lymm Tri – we were there in force. This event is our reason for existing. Its a magical, life affirming experience and I will be there next year xxx Nicola

It was the best experience. I loved every minute. Thank you so much to everyone that made it happen. The marshals were so lovely and encouraging. Thanks again I will wear my t-shirt with so much pride 🤩 Deb

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped me achieve something yesterday that I never imagined I could do your all amazing see you next year 💖 Nicola

The Ever Enthusiastic Team Manvers, inspirational ladies in fine form!
Feeling Proud
I’m Still looking for words after reading so many wonderful messages from my Deva Diva Quadrathletes, as always there have been so many inspiring journeys that the ladies have taken to get to that start line. A huge well done to every one of you, It was so emotional watching you all. Finish lines are incredible places to be on, for many it’s only the start, their comfort zones are truly left behind and new seeds of courage and determination arrive! 💜 Keep pushing those boundaries girls and see you Next Year! 
Jean XX

Václav Marek

Jean Ashley
GB Team 2007

I was so sorry to hear the news that Václav Marek has passed away after his illness. Václav formed and led the European Quadrathlon Association from 1997, this eventually became the World Quadrathlon Association in 2001. When I first represented GB in Quadrathlon back in 2004 I went over to the World Championships in CZ, Václav greeted the GB Team with open arms, he was a wonderful human being, so kind and very passionate about his sport, his family helped him organize the World Championships and always made it a very special event, renowned for its post race parties!

The GB Team had a regular trip over to Sedlcany for many years, I feel very honored to have known Václav and have lots of wonderful memories, one year in particular is when Dan Corner and Helen Parkinson were crowned Overall World Champions in 2007! We certainly Celebrated in Wild Style having GB taken of the top podium places and many Age Group Golds too!  … Thank You Václav for all you have done over your Years in Quadrathlon… he will be greatly missed.

World Champ Dan
World Champ Helen
World Champ Vet 50 Jean

Thanks to his efforts quadrathlon sport became popular in many countries. His excellent organizational work helped establishing quadrathlon races in many locations. Václav Marek was president of WQF until his illness in 2024.


WQF preserves the memory of Václav Marek. The National Trophy award – which is given every year to the most successful country – will be named Václav Marek National Trophy from 2025.

Dearne Valley Quadrathlon WQF Cup Race

Jean Ashley
 
Special thanks to Mark Benton, David Jones and the Manvers Team for organising this great quad event, you are a wonderful ‘Team’ of people thank you for your enthusiasm and for inspiring so many to take to the water and embrace the challenge, you have put so many smiles on peoples faces at Manvers. As always the BQA are extremely grateful to everyone involved, we are a small sport, and its good to see so many competitors without a doubt it’s such a fabulous feel good event, enjoyed by everyone, from seasoned athletes to first timers and looking at the photos looks like you had a great day!
 
The Race this year was part of the BQA Trophy Series, but for the first time ever it was part of the World Quadrathlon Cup, so competitors were given BQA points plus WQF points, this is great to see so many British athletes with World Cup points. The GB team are now in 2nd place in the World Cup Trophy now  “The Vaclav Merek National Trophy” this is given to country with the most the points at the end of the year. So huge well done to everyone who has raced so far this year! 

 

Sharing the Quad Love as always!

Also huge thanks to ‘David and Caz Jones’ who have been organizing Quad Training Days throughout the year and encouraging newcomers to our sport, they do a fantastic job to introducing people into our sport!

 
 
 
 
 
Dearne Valley Quadrathlon Results
With the Winners Below Congratulations, lots more photos on the BQA Facebook page
Jules Vet 60 Winner
Stuart Vet 50 Winner
John Vet 70 Winner
Helen Ladies Winner
Tora Vet 40 Winner
Helen Vet 50 Winner
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natalie Vet 60 Winner
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BQA TROPHY RESULTS  BQA Trophy after 3 of 5
TEAM WORLD CUP RESULTS R7 WQF world cup after 6 of 9
 
BIG THANKS, to Jules Taylor for his Race Report, we always appreciate our athletes stories and its a great report… Thank You Jules! 
 
Swim Start
Here we are at Manvers Lake, second venue in the National Race series , and not in my usual confident frame of mind.
I had a horrible experience in the swim at Brigg and having to pull out , I didn’t feel ready to race, and the past couple of weeks training have been all over the place .
Parked up at Manvers Lake, I tried to relax and had a ride around the run course, had a lovely equinox swim in the twilight trying out a new better fitting wetsuit for the first time…. then had a rubbish restless sleep. Come the morning the sun was out and things seemed a bit better.
As others arrived it was lovely to catch up and chat, the Quad community is great and I started to relax a little.
Race briefing over, into the lake , and wait for the start. I put myself on the edge of the main bunch to give me as clear a swim as possible to the first buoy. This was a good plan, and the swim went well, a couple of little hiccups as I didnt feel 100%, and out into T1.
It had gone well , as I came out in the lead group with Helen (ladies winner) and Phillipe Jumeau …both strong swimmers.
I was Pleased!

Overall Winner Adam Norfolk
Helen was out of T1 swiftly, but I was struggling with a helmet catch that wouldn’t play ball, and didn’t catch Helen up till near the turn around. It was a fast bike course, unfortunately a couple of incidents occurred but all were ok apparently, and into T2.
There were a couple of kayaks out already, Adam and Stuart, and I didn’t realise that Oli was literally on my heels into T2 , time to race !
The lake was a bit squally with the wind and I was more than happy with my choice of Kayak…a Carbonology Flash X surfski…which easily ignored the bouncy water.
By the third lap I was settled paddling hard , and had put a bit of distance between Oli and myself (although I still wasn’t aware of that ), and had passed Stuart to put me into second place.

Jules in his Surfski
Adam was well clear , exiting the lake as I started my last lap ! Very strong paddling .
Out into T3 , and all I knew now was I had second place , felt shattered, but had to get moving as I knew Oli would be running me down as fast as he does. Couple of kilometers done, and I was running as hard as I could, at the end of every straight I glanced behind and so far no one else in sight .
Around the end of the lake and it wasn’t long before the finish was in view with about a kilometer to go. I honestly thought I had this , second place ….awesome! A few hundred meters to go, another glance behind  and there was Oli, I knew it …. Aarrgh….have I got enough of a lead, could I run any faster? Another look behind and only a few meters between us now …. then he was past and over the finish line for second place, followed by myself 5 seconds later for third overall and first V60. I could not have gone any harder! What a race, right down to the wire ….fantastic!

Great racing from everyone, amazing strong performance from Adam in a league of his own today, super strong running from Oli , excellent result again for Helen, and a great relay effort from Erik and Rose ….true sporting spirit there as Erik recovers from his injury . How he paddles so fast with just one leg doing all the work ….amazing.

It was a brilliant day for all competitors, lots of smiles and fun . The weather gave us everything except snow, and a big round of applause for the Manvers community putting on another awesome event, thank you also to all the volunteers and helpers. A super day,
headed home later in the afternoon, feeling all was well ….it was a great reset for myself,  back in a racing frame of mind at last…Yay!

BQA Trophy Points 2025

Jean Ashley

Big Thanks to ‘John Kavanagh’ for putting together the National Trophy and WQF Results, he compiles a list of all the quadrathletes, converts it to a spreadsheet and then updates the series after every race throughout the season. Its certainly a commitment during our the race season, and we are truly grateful for his work! THANKS JOHN on behalf of the BQA WQF and all the competitors!

Full Points were given at the Brigg Bomber, and a slightly reduced number at the Sprint (due to it not being the main race …. but they all count!) These are the Results after the 2 races BQA Trophy after 2 of 5 races

The BQA started a National Trophy Series in 2005 this is a series of events which are generally spread throughout the country. Each event contributes points towards finding a National Champion, with the best three results for each individual to count. This is our Hall of Fame: Winners since the Series started in 2005 BQA-Hall-of-Fame-2024

Trophies are awarded each year, provided each winner has done 3 races in the series, and must be a current BQA Member. (In the event of a tie the 4th race points will count to decide the winner).

Overall Winners Perpetual Trophy for Male and Female. BQA Kit vouchers for winners Male and Female in each age category, Juniors (u23), Seniors, V40+ V50+ V60+ Vet 70+
Hall of Fame

European Championships at Brigg Bomber 2025

Jean Ashley

A HUGE THANK YOU to Donna Jeff and the Team at LincsQuad Quadrathlon Club for putting on a great race for the BQA and the WQF yesterday as always they pulled out the stops! Despite having such a small team of helpers, there’s one thing for sure they are 100% committed to make sure these events happen for our small sport of Quadrathlon.

Thank you to everyone who supported the race, all BQA members and competitors, those International athletes too, all helpers marshals time keepers and key event organizers ……. you put a smile on everyone’s faces, made a lot of athletes very proud and gave us all a day to remember.

Big Thanks on behalf of the BQA … Jean 💜

Race Results – Brigg Bomber Middle & Sprint Results

National Trophy Results – BQA Trophy after 2 of 5 races

WQF Results – 

WQF race 3 of 9 results with point

World Cup Race 3

WQF National trophy after 3 of 9 races 

A Big Thanks to Ian Cooke for his excellent report of the day – European Middle Distance Quadrathlon Championships
(and accompanying sprint distance BQA points quadrathlon)

It’s 08:29 on the 1st of June 2025 in Brigg, North Lincolnshire, the first day of meteorological summer and a fine and warm day with a little bit of breeze blowing in from the west.

In the river Ancholme, around 110 multi-sport athletes are awaiting the start of their events, now just 1 minute away. The athletes are participants in one of four events being held on that day.

Firstly, there is the prestigious third international quadrathlon championship event of 2025, the European Middle Distance Quadrathlon Championships. This event also doubled up as the third of the 2025 season in the World Quadrathlon Federation World Cup series, following earlier races in Kassel and Gyekenyes. Secondly, this one day championship event was accompanied by its slightly shorter sibling race, a sprint distance quadrathlon, with points being awarded and counting towards the national British Quadrathlon Association series awards. Finally and separate to this race report, there was an accompanying standard distance and sprint distance triathlon.

The Race – Suddenly, the race director, Jeff calls out loud and clear to the athletes in the water…….

‘Is there anyone here doing the duathlon?…….. If you are, you’re in the wrong place……’ So much laughing and smiles from everyone and then bang, we’re off. Two laps of a 750 swim for the European Champs race and one lap for the sprint event. As ever, the swim was a fast affair for those at the front, with the top athletes looking to establish an early lead position.

I settle in, concentrate on breathing, find your own rhythm, count the buoy turns and then back to the landing stage, Here, friendly and familiar faces and voices carry you on your way past the boathouse into transition.

Onto the 30k bike stage and the course was just excellent. For me personally, I’d checked out the bike course on the previous Friday, so it was full gas all the way, tuck in, shrug the shoulders narrow and get aero, every second counts. The loop out of Waddingham and through Snitterby was just excellent fun. 49:24 later and I’m rolling back into the sports center, thinking now about the kayak leg.

One thing that is an absolute pleasure about the Brigg quad races is the boat leg on the Ancholme, 7.8k’s to the wooden bridge and back for the middle distance and just short of 5k’s to the red bridge and back for the sprint competitors.

Paddling alongside Oli Fairbairn on the outward leg, a figure was rapidly approaching us and coming into view on their return, pushing their boat at circa 12-13kph. This was Ferenc Csima, at that point around 20 minutes ahead of us, the eventual overall winner and an absolutely phenomenal kayak racer. Next to cross us was Laurent Martinou, eventual 2nd place and around 10 minutes behind Ferenc at that stage. ‘Bravo Laurent! Allez, allez, allez…..’ was the shout out as we crossed.

As a side note, chapeau to Laurent, who drove north from his home south of Paris on the Saturday, raced the event and then drove back to the south coast after the race for the 19:30 Sunday evening ferry, top effort! On the return leg, it was great to see Helen Russell in her GB tri-suit on the outward leg, pushing on in the boat on her way to the overall win.

So here we go, the day’s getting done now, just the run to go, 5k’s for the sprint and 9.8k’s for the middle distance event.

This is the classic time to check in with the body……. ‘legs, how’s it going, are you thinking about cramping? No we’re fine. Achilles, how are you? Any tightness? No, we’re alright just now. Ok lower back how are you after the kayaking? I’m a bit sore, but I think I’m good for 10k’s, lets do it…….’ So check the watch, put it on 4 minute 35 second k’s and tick off the distance.

And just like that, the day is done, off the river path, past the petrol station, over the bridge, careful on the little grassy slope and the finish line is there. This sport is just fantastic and the people are just so lovely. Cross the line, go and hug everybody and then look for family supporters.

OPEN RACE RESULTS : The open race overall was won by Ferenc with a fantastic time of 2:29:29, with Laurent 6 minutes behind in P2 (1st O40 – 2:35:45) and James Block of GBR completing the podium (1st O50 – 2:48:40).

Overall Mens European Champions

Helen won the female event overall with a time 3:03:33 (1st O50), with Rose Durrant in P2 (1st Elite – 3:08:13) with Orna Otoole completing the podium (2nd O50 – 3:16:50).

AGE GROUP RESULTS: Tora Oetgen was 1st female O40 (4th overall – 3:26:46), Hermione Ball 1st female junior (5th overall – 3:31:25), Oli Fairbairn was 1st Elite (4th Open overall – 2:51:37) Ian Cooke 1st O60 (5th Open overall – 2:54:02), John Macadam 1st O70 (23rd Open overall – 3:29.18) 

Overall Womens European Champions

In the accompanying sprint event Jason Frary was 1st in the Open (1st O50 – 1:39:06), Graeme Tiffany was 2nd (1st O60 – 2:03:07), Dianne Hubber 1st female, 3rd overall in the event and 1st O50 (2:10:35).

In positions 2 to 7 in the female sprint came the fantastic group of friends and constant training partners, Janet Green (2nd 1st O60 – 2:12:31), Geraldine Richards (3rd – 2:23:34), Sue Turner, Sue Pilling, Amanda Lord and Lynn Simpson. These women have inspired each other and trained together so hard all winter and spring in all conditions and weathers, nailing every aspect of this demanding sport. Just brilliant, massive well done and be so proud of what you did, experienced and achieved on that day in Brigg.

Sprint Womens Winners

As always with these events, nothing would ever happen without the input, leadership and expertise of so many people.

Thank you to Jeff and Donna for making it all happen, along with all those brilliant marshals, timekeepers, transition managers and a million other roles that the team at LincsQuad provided.

Thank you to David, Andy, Evo, Janice and their team in covering all aspects of the swim and kayak management. It makes such a massive difference finishing the boat leg, knowing that it will just get taken care of as you continue to the run.

Finally, thank you so much to Jean Ashley and all at British Quadrathlon Association for providing the overall organisation and everything to make these races and race series possible.

Massive well done to all the competitors in both the middle distance and the sprint event. These events are demanding and take courage to toe that line alongside your mates, putting yourself on a canvas showing who you are and what you can do that day. The results are hard won and accordingly, massively satisfying to get.

That was the Brigg Bomber, now onto the rest of 2025!  …… Ian Cooke

Photos of the race – thanks from Trevor

Bomber photos.google.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Quad Race at Manvers BQA Trophy and WQF Series Event!

Jean Ashley

BQA Trophy RACE 2 and WQF Race Series 22nd June Dearne Valley Sprint Quad & QuadKidz 

British Quadrathlon (BQA) and Team Manvers have joined forces to bring this great race to Dearne Valley and Manvers Lake, and this year has been give World Cup Status as part of their World Series!  The aim is to deliver a Quadrathlon where people from all walks of life can participate. This is going to be a fabulous event, organized by a very enthuiastic team, who are passionate about their sport and their brilliant venue where it all takes place. Its a Race not to be missed, so put your entry in and spread the news!

The Amazing Coach ‘David Jones’ at Manvers

Team Manvers are offering training sessions throughout 2025, these will be held at the lake so please get in touch for details. If you are worried about any part of the event then please contact us and we will sort an alternative activity for that section. This race takes place around the Manvers Waterpark and its surrounding area, all the racing takes place within this lovely venue. The aim is to deliver, a Quadrathon where people from all walks of life can participate. Mark Benton (organizer) quotes ‘All that we ask is that you enjoy your training towards it and feel a great sense of achievement afterwards’.

The Junior Quadrathlon will run along side the sprint event, the first ‘QuadKidz’ race of the season, with various distances for the 3 age groups … it will be time for our Quadkidz to Shine! 

 

​Sprint Quadrathon – Swim, Bike, Paddle and Run

Sprint 800m Swim, 15k Bike, 4k Paddle, 5k Run – Start Time 9.30am Price £15
Quadkidz (ages 9-12): 100m Swim, 2k Bike, 400m Paddle, 2k Run – Start Time 8.30 Price £5
Quadkidz (ages 13-15): 200m Swim, 4k Bike, 800m paddle, 2k – Run – Start Time 8.30 Price £5
Quadkidz (ages 16-18): 800m Swim 15k Bike 4k paddle, 5k Run – Start Time 9.30am Price £5

​Showers, changing rooms available, on site café. Commemorative medal to all finishers. Limited number of kayaks available to use/hire

Enter Race – ENTER Dearne-valley-triathlon-quadrathon-2025

 

Ian Cooke’s European and World Quadrathlon Championships Tour!

Jean Ashley

European Sprint Distance Quadrathlon Championships – Kassel
11th May 2025

Ian Cooke went out to the ‘European Sprint Distance Quadrathlon Championships’ in Kassel in Germany.
He has a fantastic race and flew the GB Quadrathlon Flag in great style, big thanks for his race report below.

Kassel, a beautiful city in the middle of Germany, is a place of parks, wooded green hills, lakes, a river, health spas, great food, museums, culture and people who are just so friendly. It is home to just over 200,000 people and was where the brothers Grimm spent all of their young adult lives from their early teenage years, gathering up folk tales and publishing them into the world renowned fairy tales that we all know today, such as Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. It is also home to the wonderful Bernd Scheller and his fantastic team, who did such a fantastic job of organizing and running a hugely successful European Sprint Distance Quadrathlon Championships.

The race was centered around the headquarters of WVC Kassel (Wassersport Verein Cassel – Kassel Watersports Club) on the banks of the Fulda river.
It consisted of a 500m swim across the river and back on a triangular anti-clockwise course. Next was a short run from the beach leading to the bike transition and then onto the 18k bike course, with 3 laps of a fast and flat course, based upon the Auedamm, the riverside road, lined with boat clubs and restaurants, that was closed off to vehicles, providing a safe course to race along.
Third came the 4.5k excellent kayak course, a short crossing of the Fulda river and then off downstream to the turn point and back to the HQ.
Finally, the run leg was a fast course around the Bugasee, a beautiful lake just across the river.
So, onto race day, the 11th May and a relatively early start-time of 08:45, in order to enjoy the benefit of closed roads, before they reopened at 11:00. Early races mean early rises, so a 06:15 alarm for breakfast and then fast forward to the start, via transition kit storage, safety briefings and meeting so many brilliant fellow athletes, forming an entry list of 57 individual athletes and relay teams.
All of a sudden, a loud countdown begins, this is now really happening and we’re off, fast and furious through, over and under the water to the first buoy. Around the first, around the second, sight for the beach, hit the beach, legs a bit wobbly and then push on to the transition.

The next leg is way more familiar for me personally and the computer reads 39-40kph, six sets of dead turns, one at each end of three laps and then back in, rack the bike and push on again.
The kayak leg is an absolute pleasure and the evident standard of so many paddlers in very fast craft is a joy to be a part of.
Now the race is nearly done, just make sure that there is enough energy left to finish it off with a decent run for the last 5k’s. This last event is like a video game on fast forward, just push and push, the scenery a blur. Wow, so quickly the last bridge is in sight, over the bridge, turn right, turn right again, turn right a final time and then lift the tempo all the way under the finishing arch. That was it, that was the day, that was the goal – now done.

This was a fantastic event, memories created by and held dear for a lifetime for so many people on that journey on that day.
The race overall was won by the incredible all round athlete and multi world champion Ferenc Csima of Hungary, with a time of 1:21:28. The women’s race was won by home club athlete Anna-Lena Klee, who put in amazing split times across all events and won with a time of 1:31:13.

For me, this journey into quadrathlon started eight months ago over at Brigg, doing the September sprint event and here in Kassel I was really pleased to win the O60 age category European title with a time of 1:34:54.

Thank you so much to Bernd and his entire team for their expertise, professionalism, attention to detail and sheer hard work and dedication in making this event so successful. Well done to all the athletes who took part, putting the hours in across all weathers in training and then coming out here and putting themselves on the line in this great sport, fantastic!

The following weekend Ian travelled to the next World Cup Race in

Gyekyenes, Hungary, competing in the Quadrathlon Middle Distance World Championships.

The event consisted of a 1.5k swim in the crystal clear lake, followed by a 40k/25 mile bike leg on a flat and windy course, with crosswinds constantly knocking the bike about.
On the bike leg I was pleased to put in a 1:00:40 time, so under the hour with the running to and from transition removed.
Next up was the 10k kayak, with 6 laps around an offshore island, with choppy wavy water and thunder and lightning constantly banging and flashing all around…. I was glad to get off the water……
Finally, the 10k run came around and I was running on fumes a little bit, but just clocked along at 4:30k’s, so all good.
I finished first in my age category of 1956-1965 birth year (O60’s) with 3:33:30 to get age group World Champion.
5th overall in the race, 10 minutes behind 3rd overall athlete.
The men’s event was won by multiple world champion Federic Csima of Hungary with 2:55:17.
The women’s event was won by the wonderful Susanne Walter with 3:37:09, adding another world championship win to her growing list of world titles.

Thanks to Ian for his reports, its a great start to his 2025 Quadrathlon Season.

The next WORLD CUP RACE is at Brigg on 1st June, thanks to Lincsquad for hosting this event and the BQA wish everyone racing a great race and lets hope our British weather is kind!

Here are the WORLD CUP RESULTS so far this season –

World Cup Results after 2 Races

WQF National Trophy after 2 Races

 

Exciting News for 2025!

Jean Ashley

I hope your all enjoying some down time, rest and recovery, easy training and reflecting on your 2024 race season! Over the next few weeks its maybe time to start planning your races and goals for next year. The Annual Report has been published, I hope you have seen it, and as always if anyone has any suggestions please dont hesitate to contact us.

Mark Pryor

BQA Chairperson  Now were at the end of our 2024 season Mark Pryor has retired , he has been Chairman for at least 18 years, for as long as I’ve been in the sport Mark has been around so that’s at least 25 years! Over those years he has organized many races starting way back with the Winter Quadmire Series at Wadenhoe, where we spent many a winters day breaking the ice to paddle on the river, riding our MT Bikes around a couple of undulating skiddy fields, and then up to our knees in mud or snow running a challenging hilly 5km! He then took the race over to Box End Waterpark where we continued to have many fabulous races, most of them in beautiful warm sunshine, it never failed to be a memorable weekend away and always superbly organized by Mark and his Team! You only need to ask any of our Quadrathletes about Box End and everyone will have a story to tell, and say what such a great event it was!

Mark has always been a great support and has always been on the end of the phone, he knows the standards we wish to aspire to when putting on our races, his many years of being involved in Quadrathlon have been vital to running of the BQA. A Huge Thanks to Mark for all those special years, I am sure we haven’t seen the last of him and he’ll still be around supporting our Quadrathlon Family! 

Donna & Jean

Our new Chairperson will be Donna Chappill (Lincsquad) I on behalf of the BQA are very pleased to welcome her to our Team. Donna has had plenty of experience in Quadrathlons, and has been a big part of Lincsquad for many years,  she’s raced Quads, been an integral part of race organization and is also part of their coaching team. She is very approachable and knows many of us well, she will be a great asset to the BQA and I’m so looking forward to working with her …. Welcome Donna!

The National Trophy Calendar and the World Cup Series are for 2025, at the moment we will have 4 Trophy races here in the UK, including a National Championships and we have 2 WQF World Cup Races in GB, including the European Middle Distance Championships! If there is enough interest it would be good to target a race in Europe and hope to have a GB Team heading out there this summer.

I am so pleased to announce the ‘The Brigg Bomber’ will be hosting the European Middle Distance Championships, and that ‘Manvers Dearne Valley Sprint Quad’ will also be a World Cup Series Race. The Brigg Sprint will be our National Championships.

So get these dates in your diary’s and entries in, then have a reason kick start your training right now, having a goal does wonders for your motivation!

BQA National Trophy Events for 2025

RACE 1 – 1st June – Brigg Bomber Quad – EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 1500km river swim/40km road bike/8km river kayak/10km road run. A superb race to start the season, extremely well organized by our Top Quadrathlon Club ‘Lincsquad’ a fast flat and safe course, its the European Championships so certainly not to be missed, Lincsquad will certainly pull out all the stops to make this a brilliant day! Entries OPEN Brigg-Bomber

The Keyo Brigg Bomber Sprint is running along side the Bomber and consists of a 750m river swim, 18k bike, 4k kayak & 5k run. This Sprint distance is not a European WQF Race, but will carry qualifying points for BQA trophy series (slightly less points than the Bomber) Entries OPEN Brigg-Bomber-Sprint

RACE 2 – 22nd June – Dearne Valley Sprint Quad WORLD CUP RACE and QuadKidz – 800km lake swim/4.4km lake kayak/13.2km X/MT bike/5km trail run. This race takes place around the Manvers Waterpark and its surrounding area, all the racing takes place within this lovely venue, this race gets better each year! We are so pleased this race will host the National Championships, its organized by a great team of enthuiastic Quadrathletes, who offer training sessions all year round! The Junior Quadrathlon will run along side the sprint event, with various distances for the 3 age groups … it will be time for our Quadkidz to Shine! Entries OPEN Dearne Valley Quadrathlon

RACE 3 – 7th September – Brigg Sprint NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – 750km river swim/18km road bike/4km river kayak/5km road run. This is a great sprint event organized by the dedicated Lincsquad Team. The course is flat, fast and ideal for both experienced quadrathletes and those wanting to race the shorter distance. Its our National Championships, so great racing is guaranteed! Entries OPEN Keyo-Brigg-Sprint

RACE 4 – 11th October – Awesome Foursome Quad – 800km sea swim/30km road bike/10km canal kayak/10km mixed terrain run. This is one of our longest running established Quadrathlons, in beautiful Cornwall in the surfing town of Bude. It never ceases to amaze me, I have raced it in all weathers …. it is always a brilliant exciting and challenging race and a great end the race season! Swimming in the sea, there’s plenty of hills on the bike, a historic canal for the kayak and amazing coastal views on the run! It’s one of those addictive races that keeps drawing you back. The race is on a Saturday so plenty of time for sun, sand and surf too! 

Running Alongside and NEW for 2025: The Sprint
“A little smaller but just as Awesome” This shorter-course quadrathlon will be run at the same time as the full Awesome Foursome but will be roughly half the distance. It will start with the main event and be based at the Canal Wharf but will follow similar routes for the swim, cycle, and run as the Shoreline Triathlon. The swim will be one lap of the Bay, the cycle ride will only go as far as the Widemouth Manor before returning to Bude on the A39, (eliminating the severe cycling hills around Millook). The Kayaking will be one lap of the canal and the Run will only go as far as Rodds Bridge before returning to Bude via Lynstone Road. Entries OPEN Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon

All links to these races are on our ‘events’ page. I hope I have tempted you …. keep you eye on the events page as some race organizers offer Early Bird race discounts!

You must be a BQA member to race for the ‘GB TEAM’ at the World Championships or in a World Cup race, and also to qualify for all BQA prizes in the National Trophy Series. We do need your memberships to help fund our sport. Money goes towards various areas within the organization, one being our website, where we keep you updated with the latest news and events. Our biggest annual outlay is insurance, which we use to cover the races on the British Quad Calendar, without this insurance many of our races wouldn’t take place. We also affiliate to the World Quadrathlon Association ‘WQF’ so our athletes can race at World Cup Races the World and European Championships. The future of British Quadrathlon is in our hands, so please support the BQA and you will be helping to keep our small sport alive!

BQA 2025 Membership

BQA 2025 Trophy Series

1st June – Brigg Bomber EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS plus Brigg Bomber Sprint Race
23rdJune – Dearne Valley Sprint WORLD CUP RACE & QuadKidz
7th Sept – Keyo Brigg Sprint NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
7th Sept – Bude Awesome Foursome Quad plus Mini Awesome Foursome Sprint (early bird discount)


WQF 2025 Trophy Series

11th May – Kassel (GER) Sprint European Championships
17th May – Gyékényes (HUN) Middle World Championships
1st June – Brigg (GBR) Middle European Championships
14th June – Koberbach (GER) Middle (Reserve middle distance EC and WC)
15th June Cazalegas (ESP) Sprint
22nd June Seyssel (FRA) Middle
22nd June – Dearne Valley Manvers (GB) Gravel Bike Sprint
28th June – Tyn (CZE) Sprint World Championships
12th July Bydgoszcz (POL) Sprint (Reserve sprint distance EC and WC)
9th Aug Nagyatád, Gyékényes (HUN) Long World Championships
30th Aug Bohinj (SLO) Middle

Races supported by BQA (not Trophy Races)
? May – Montgomery Canal Triathlon (Charity Event)
14th June – Norfolk SuperHeroes Quad Norfolksuperheros
6th July – Deva Divas Quad Deva Divas Quad

Wishing you all a Very Happy Christmas … Safe Training over the winter months, look after those bodies and train well!  We look forward to a very exciting 2025 Quad Season!

Jean and the BQA Team

BQA 2024 Annual Report

Jean Ashley

It’s been a quiet year on the whole for Quadrathlon Racing as sadly our National Trophy Series was down to just 3 races, Shrewsbury has finally folded completely, which is very sad news, and Bude was also cancelled due to lack of support. Thankfully we still had 3 excellent races in our calendar, The Brigg Bomber (World Cup Event also), Dearne Valley Sprint, and The Brigg Sprint. The numbers racing across the board were reasonable but down on last year, but thanks to ‘Team Manvers’ and ‘Lincsquad’ who are continually doing a sterling job introducing new athletes to our sport. So hopefully we can build on this and get more athletes taking part.

On behalf of the BQA I’d like to say a Huge THANK YOU to all our Race organizers and volunteers, they work so hard each year to put on these events for us, it is a big commitment and we really do appreciate your time! Thanks also to all the Sponsors who support them, and to you the BQA Members for you annual fees, which are vital so we can run the BQA Governing Body and more important provide the ever important Insurance fees to be able to support the Race Organizers…. Big Thanks! 

If you’d like to read our Annual Report 2023 and Onwards & Upwards 2024 please see the link below. As always we are welcome to ideas, and suggestions for future events, so if you have any thoughts or contacts please get in touch.

BQA- ANNUAL REPORT & AGM 2024 (WEBSITE)