With two BvH in the field, Glyn and myself, I could claim this event as the BvH triathlon championships…. well, ok, maybe not! But it’s a great local event and for the second year running was graced with perfect race conditions.
The opening swim, being just 400m, I tend to use as a warm-up by taking it nice and steady. No point in thrashing around wasting energy on something that’ll be over in 8 minutes or so (ok, who snickered?). Glyn started 40 odd minutes earlier and by the end of the swim I had a slender 30 second lead.
The bike course starts with a loop of Halesowen followed by an uphill grind along the A456 to Hagley. Then it’s just a short and easily forgettable leg down the A491, before turning off at the Holly Bush pub for a long and very enjoyable climb over the Clent hills. After a long descent from Romsley back to Halesowen, I’d opened a good 20 minute lead over Glyn.
The final (longish) 5k run was an undulating, multi-terrain course and a good crowd at the finish made the short hill to the finish line so much easier.
This is an excellent event that I’d recommend to novices and experienced triathletes alike. And as with most events nowadays, was excellently organised by Cobra.
I finished in a very pleasing 8th place, winning a trophy for second vet, and Glyn finished in 90th place.
Full results are here.
Gary M
