It was shaping up to be a scorching hot day for the inaugural event of the Herts and Essex Tri Super Series events. The series was created in the hope of bar increasing participation in multi-sport events and create healthy competition between local clubs.
The first race, hosted by Tri sport Epping, was a duathlon at Redbridge cycling centre a.k.a hog hill. The format was a 4K run followed by an 18k bike and for finishing with a final 2k Run. 5 members of ELT had decided to give this one a crack and all turned up with good spirits.
After a quick scope of the course, discussion on the best spots for transition, and a short warm-up; we were ready for the 9am start.
And they were off! Dan Fish and a Havering Tri runner took an early lead down the hill of the first corner Breaking away from the pack. Neill Whittaker settled into a quick and steady pace not far behind shortly followed by Steve Palmer.
If you haven’t been to Hog Hill, it has a has a fairly short but steep hill (the hoggenberg) on the circuit that truly disrupts all rhythm and kicks up your heart rate several percentage points! This made settling into a steady pace almost impossible and a few people got caught out on the first lap.
After two laps of running Dan Fish pulled into Transition in 1st place. Having thought about transition tactics earlier, he was out on the bike in a short time trying to distance himself on the bike.
But the distance was not to be held for long… Just as Dan was coming over the crest of the hill on his second lap he passed by the ‘mountain goat’ Neill who sped by and really started to put some ground between him and the rest of the competition.
The heat was really beginning to pick up and with 9 laps on the bike, the hoggenberg started to split the entire field. However, Dave Barrat and Paul Dominguez were flying past all of the other clubs making for an excellent bike split.
The final run approached and after a quick transition, a shake out of the legs it was time for the last dash to finish line.
After Neill took the early lead he stayed there and romped home for first place. Dan come home in 6th after being pipped to the line over the final hill. Steve, Paul and Dave all finished strong finishing in 10th, 16th and 17th respectively.
This was a great result for ELT with all those who were racing finishing in the top 20.
Well done all, on to the next race!
