Many thanks to Liz Dey for her report on the second Windrush Aquathlon at Brockwell Park on 2nd June.
Early June saw Windrush hold the second Windrush Aquathlon, for the first time with junior categories in the form of TriStar 1, 2 and 3.
The cool spring weather in the run-up to the race caused some worry around wetsuits being compulsory. Anything less than 14 degrees and wetsuits are a must and in the week before the race Brockwell Lido was hovering around 14 degree mark. Thankfully the British weather did us proud (for once!) and in the last few days and on race day itself the sun came out and pushed the temperature up to a comparatively balmy 16 degrees and the air temperature up to 20C.
At 8.30am the juniors kick started the event, raring to go after their race briefing and warm-up.
The final junior swimmer flew into transition - on the Lido pool side - just before 8.45am. The TriStar competitors exited the Lido at the north end and then ran anti clockwise round Brockwell Lido, doing the required number of laps, depending on age group and finishing in front of the Lido.
The senior race started at 8.45am with a swim leg of 500m, 10 lengths of the Lido pool. The final adult swimmer exited the pool just before 10am.
Transition was outside the Lido at the north end for the senior racers, we had a wide range of techniques in transition, from toweling down and having a chat with competitors to shooting through, pausing just to take off a wetsuit and put on running shoes. The run course for the adults was 2 laps round Brockwell Park, going up the hill straight out of transition and finishing in front of the Lido. There were lots of marshals stationed round the run course, making sure everyone knew where to go and shouting encouragement to keep people going in the sunshine.
There was a drinks station along the route for essential hydration, with homemade cakes from Helen Tracey and Laura Addis and water at the finish to refuel after the race. Windrush sports massage partner, Jennie Duck was also on hand with a portable bed and gazebo for post race relief.
JUNIOR RESULTS
| TriStar1 | TriStar2 | TriStar3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest Girl | Jessica Butland | Lexie Webb | Vanessa Cole |
| Fastest Boy | Luke Butland | Brett Baker | Hal Cramplin |
| Senior female | Senior male | Vet female | Vet Male | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Claire McMahon | Joshua Cardwell | Tracey Land | Brian Morris |
| 2nd | Freddie Sumption | Rob Parry | Lucy Pickering | Martin Rafferty |
| 3rd | Catherine Cook | Charlie Low | Ruki Sidhwa | Stuart Bowden |
The full results can be found here.
Feedback from the competitors was very positive, calling out the tasty homemade cakes at the finish line, friendly marshals, fabulous t-shirts and medals and a great morning was had by all! Here’s to the Windrush Aquathlon 2014!
The full race report can be found here
