Title: Great morning at Hillingdon Tri Race 3
13th August saw the third in the series of triathlon run by Hillingdon Triathletes in Harefield. This race is in a different format and has been running since 1989. The format is SWIM/RUN/BIKE starts of with a 750-open water swim then onto the 6km run which is a mix of road and trail finishing off with a 25km lumpy bike ride. Although a small local event it attracts some rather speedy triathletes from some of the trade teams as well as competitors new to the sport of triathlon. I really would recommend giving this one a go! This one was the last of the series of three and hopefully not the last as the Open water Centre is under threat from HS2. Anyway en-route to the event my inner tube exploded? So it was a bit of mild concern that I would not be able to sort it out due to having a valve extender fitted and to be honest it was quick and a piece of cake to swop over. Tube failure was down to rim tape being too narrow. Onto the race I had what one of the swim coaches stated afterwards was not my best swim!
Then onto to the run this is when I started to pick off the faster swimmers one by one then at the turnaround point I started to count of those I was now passing and those I was already ahead off.
Run done then onto the bike like I said before this is a tad underlating with a couple of small climbs but a nice descent You can get some big speed here .
I myself had a race in a race having seen someone from another club I knew to be in my AG so there was some to and fro with taking the lead. Yes I managed to stay ahead of him… Just!
The happiest moment for me and a surprise was being called to the podium for a 2nd place AG I can tell you that is no mean feat at this event and for me more kudus than my 2nd AG in the Snowman Sprint event in Wales. The volunteers and Marshalls are fab all in all an excellent event as are all the events run by Hillingdon Triathletes