2012 Oberpfalzer Seenland Quadrathlon, German Championships
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.
Double IronMan Gorilla Unleashed
6:30am – More food…. 
10:53am – Deke Thompson 1st out of water in 1hr 51m from 
12:29pm – 1st lap on bike done in 38 mins, only another 19 laps to go. – via 
5:41pm – Looks like he’s enjoying himself… Keep it going mate. Looking good! – via 
6:13pm – Support Crew – via @mrsdobber
7:14pm – Half way on the bike done (ironman distance) total race time of 10 hours 12 minutes currently in 10th – via @mrsbinchy
10:22pm – It’s getting dark…
10:39pm – Phil Binch has now been going 13.37 hours and its time for the mini support crew to get some shut eye!!
11:41pm – 170 miles done on the bike and a rice pudding stop.
2:56am – Last lap for 
9:23am – Time for a change of clothes – via @mrsdobber
11:28am – Looking awesome…
12:17pm – 12 laps top go, only a half marathon left to do. – via D088ER
12:51pm – 
2:59pm – Phil comes across the finish line in 29 hours and 49 minutes. He is the Gorilla of all Gorillas and now will be known as King Kong. Well done Phil.
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?
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!
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 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.
