Duathlon GB vest for Rich, plus hot triathlons for Jack and Tommy
- brian17harris
- Jul 12
- 4 min read
PS to last week
The final results are out for the Cotswold Way Relay, confirming that our only team won the veterans category.
Well done to all the runners and you can see the details here
11th July Duathlon - European qualifying event
A standard duathlon comprises 1st run of 10km, bike 40km and 2nd run of 5km. No dreaded swim leg that many (but not all) triathletes find to be their weakest link.
As it shows on this web link...
....Rich Allen was due to be representing GB in the European triathlon/duathlon championships in Banyole, Spain today, Sunday 12th July. However, an injury earlier this year unfortunately meant he didn’t take up his place.
So what was he up to this weekend instead? Only booking the equivalent GB age group vest for 2027, by winning outright the qualifying event held at Upton-on-Severn yesterday.
“I was supposed to be racing in the 2026 Euro Champs in Spain this weekend but due to injuries earlier on in the year I pulled out as didn’t feel 100%. Decided to race today to see where I was at, surprised as much as I was chuffed with the result.
Not the strongest field but you can only race who shows up I guess. Brutally hot (hotter than Spain incidentally!) so had to be on top of my hydration/nutrition. Race went to plan despite my rear mech constantly jumping around due to the dog knocking my bike over this morning (likely bent hanger). Gave me a good excuse to take it easy up the hills as didn’t want anything to snap!
🐕🚲💥😂”
Many congratulations Rich ! That 10k time alone in the conditions was a great performance.
{10k 37:03, bike leg 69:45 (21.4mph), 5k 20:25}
12th July triathlons
Swansea 70.3 Half Ironman, 1.9km sea swim, 90km bike, 21km run
Jack Bonnick ventured abroad for a triathlon which may be hjs last structured event for a while -
“Overall pleased but definitely a mixed day, a 2-minute PB on the swim so chuffed with that 🙌🏻
I was on for the bike of my life,but took a wrong turn and rode an extra 3 miles so lost around 10 minutes 🙈 still really pleased with the overall bike time given the circumstances as I averaged 21.5 mph and normalised power of 277W..
The run was just about getting through it in the heat and think I burned a few too many matches on the bike!
Overall, a really fantastic event, well supported by the locals and most importantly I have walked away with a medal 😃 . I have told Mrs B no more, but we will see….”
Congratulations on that swim Jack (any current was "legal" hopefully), but commiserations on the bike detour - although fantastic average speed !
Jack’s wife signage for his marathon a while back reminded him that he had promised her a sub 3-hour marathon in his wedding vows, which he delivered. As she is planning her own first marathon next year Jack has plenty of time to think up what “supporting” signage he will deploy ;-)
1 Harry Palmer (unknown) (23.46; 2.10.49; 1.10.54) 3.50.27
141 Jack Bonnick (Cirencester AC) (27.20; 2.45.52; 1.40.39) 5.03.13
2040 finished ironman.com/races
Cotswold Classic Half Ironman, Ashton Keynes
Closer to home, Tommy Payne nipped just down the road for his triathlon.
“Was very happy with my result, I had set myself the goal of 5h30m but with the heat had to reset my expectations to closer to 6 hours. So, I was absolutely thrilled to finish in 5h15m, and come 19th in my age category.
Whilst the sun was very hot out of the shade, there was a good breeze to keep things somewhat bearable. Due to the heat it was a non-wetsuit swim which made it a little more exciting / challenging!
The event itself was so well planned, marshalled - would certainly recommend it."
Well done Tommy, smashing your goal despite the temperatures is a great achievement.
1 John Liu (unattached) (26.08; 2.00.00; 1.19.36) 3.48.45
133 Tommy Payne (Cirencester AC) (39.50; 2.27.35; 2.01.23) 5.15.34
510 finished 113events.com
PARKRUNS
At Cirencester a smaller than usual field (probably early morning World Cup viewing more than heat-related?) ran posisbly an extra 100m plus in excess of 5km that the course is getting known for as a result of the long-term diversion. {Only mentioned as the Editor ran anc cloked 3.2 miles}.
Congratulations to Kirsty Leggate for her 100th parkrun milestone, celebrated by Bill running the last lap alongside her. Also good to see Charlotte Wilton tentatively getting back to running after injury – fingers crossed.
Exotic(ly-named) event of the week goes to Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, where Luke Campbell finished in the top 10 of a large field over a tough hilly course. Younger brother Ollie was 2nd although less than a minute ahead. {Only 5 runners were over 70% age-graded which does suggest a tough i.e. slow course}.
Stephen Hale had a good run at Tetbury, his 2nd fastest this year and not too far off his PB.
Ruth Fulford’s run at Bradley Stoke was also her fastest for quite a while and 6th best age-graded of the >300 running.
Cirencester: 26 Brian Harris 22.52, 36 Charlotte Wilton 23.45, 49 Ben Francis 24.38,50 Rachel Ranger 24.46, 95 Jonathan Higgs 27.25, 96 Alan McAdam 27.26,117 Rachel McAdam 28.53, 183 Kirsty Leggate 34.04, 184 Bill Leggate 34.05,236 Richard Edwards 44.46, 255 finished.
Tetbury: 24 Paul Timms 23.31, 34 Stephen Hale 24.04, 126 Samantha Timms 31.25,198 finished.
Swindon, Lydiard Park: 55 Casey Vatcher 23.31, 344 finished.
Carterton, Kilkenny Lane: 155 Colin Tapley (tail runner) 52.49, 155 finished.
Three Brooks, Bradley Stoke, Bristol: 244 Ruth Fulford 35.39, 311 finished.
Ross-on-Wye: 59 Martin Croucher 28.08, 144 finished.
Lost Gardens of Heligan, nr. St Austell: 8 Luke Campbell 20.45, 491 finished
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