Wadenhoe Winter Race 3
Wadenhoe Winter Race 3
Mad fools, arctic wind, snow and high flows.
Yes you guessed it? It’s race 3 of the Wadenhoe Winter Challenge series, so we put on a bit of a winter setting for you. A complete contrast to Race 2, when we had perfect weather conditions. This time around we had to endure easterly Siberian icy winds, making the wind chill factor well below zero. Hence only mad fools and the Quadrac Racing team were out braving the elements.
Unfortunately we had to cancel the Quadrathlon because the Environmental Agency had issued a strong stream advice for the River Nene and navigation was closed, may be just as well as it would not have been pleasant on the river. This meant that all competitors had to take part in the Duathlon.
Due to the strong icy winds it was probably the worlds fastest race briefing. At 10.30 sharp 38 frozen souls stood shivering on the start line wishing to be on their way and an opportunity to warm up on the first run lap. And they were off with the first 500m sprint to find a good space before the style. The field of competitors soon spread out with a tight group of the faster athletes taking the lead.
The top fields this time around were quite dry and firm, however, the swamp was a different mater and it was still living up to its fearful reputation [by swallowing whole, any passing unsuspecting weary athlete] Quadrac Racings’ Andy Kemp [allegedly the fittest man in Bedford] soon realised that he had made a mistake by using trainers with quick laces in, and they were quickly off his feet. In trainer versus swamp, the swamp won. For the virgin racers the swamp is always an eye opener and on the first lap there were a few tentative steps before they got the experience of the hardened veterans who realised that momentum is the answer.
At the end of the second run lap a few of the faster athletes arrived in transition fairly close together. However, once the bike leg started it was Glynn Preston who showed his strength and took an early but dominating lead that was not to be broken throughout the remainder of the race.
The field may have been firmer but no-one [to the best of my knowledge] managed to cycle up the steepish hill on the bike circuit. Some of the competitors with the lighter cyclocross bikes even decided to carry them up the hill.
During the race there was a personal battle going on between the experienced Wadenhoe adventurer, Octavia Chambers, and her friend and first timer at Wadenhoe, Philippa Murphy. There was friendly banter and competative jostling as the lead swapped between the two during the race. It resulted in a close call and came down to a sprint finish with Octavia just crossing the line first. This was not the only sprint finish; as I witnessed two other athletes push each other to the line.
The first person to cross the line was that stalwart from the bike leg, Glynn Preston, who crossed the line in a time of 1.06.15. The first lady across the line was Octavia Chambers in a time of 1.25.31
The first junior to finish was Will Stockton with another fantastic time of 1.11.18.
One unfortunate lady on her last run lap stepped too close to the edge and ended up in the river [oops! I bet that was cold]. There were definitely a few people suffering from cold extremities by the end of the race. We even started to have a few flakes of snow during the last few laps of the race and while we were stripping out the course. But did we let it worry us, no of course not. Anyone who can come and race at Wadenhoe can handle a little arctic wind and snow.
After the race it was down to the Village Hall to refuel on some hot, home made food. I would like to thank everyone who braved the elements and turned out to support the race. I would especially like to thank all the marshals who had the coldest job standing around scoring.
I hope to see you all at the last race in the Wadenhoe Winter Challenge series on 22nd Feb 09. This is when all the points will be decided and prize giving will take place afterwards in the Village Hall. Hopefully the river will be open so we can run the Quadrathlon. All results and reports can be viewed on our website[http://www.quadracracing.co.uk/] as well as information about future races.
See you at the next race on 22nd February.
