220Triathlon Edição 334

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116 I I FEBRUARY 2017
EVENTZONE
T he realisation that triathlons really
weren’t my thing came just about one
minute into the 47mins – yes 47 – I
spent in the murky brown water of the 2012
London Triathlon. I despised every millisecond
inside neoprene and H2O and vowed that I’d
never do another before I’d even fumbled my
way through T1.
I did, though, love the cycling and running so
I didn’t rule out a water-free duathlon. Secretly
I even thought I might be a natural. After all, I
have some pretty handy – albeit old – run PBs
that I still boast about and, of course, my job
means that I ride a bit. So when a colleague
mooted the 9Bar Chilly Duathlon it felt like the
right time to make my duathlon debut.
EXTRA RAZZAMATAZZ
Any hopes that the next chapter in my
multisport ‘career’ will be dry-but-for-my-hard-
earned-perspiration are dashed by Storm
Angus – Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit is
decidely damp and, yes, chilly. At least race
organisers DB Max are honest! Despite the
weather, the circuit’s car park is rammed. As
well as two waves of the Chilly Duathlon, the
day also sees a 10km run before the ‘main
event’ and the BUCS Duathlon Champs. In total
1,500 athletes show up – and over 300 DNS!
Aiming for a time as close to the hour as
possible, I line up with three of my workmates
in the first wave – the quicker athletes start
45mins later. As we wait for the off, organiser
James informs us that it’s actually a special
occasion today – the event’s 10th anniversary.
The first Chilly saw just over 100 competitors
and the big numbers today are testament to
both the organisers who know how to put on a
good show and the attraction of a completely
traffic-free event. James also promises extra
‘razzamatazz’. And sure enough, flames –
provided by the same pyrotechnicians who do
the X-Factor – shoot from the top of the start
gantry. They do little to warm me up, though…
As I’ve never raced a duathlon before, and
am a bit out of practice as a competitive
runner, I’m determined to pace myself. That’s
easier said than done as the dormant racer’s
instinct kicks in. I’m determined to keep my
colleagues behind me in what is – even after
nine-years on a bike mag – my strongest suit.
The two-mile run skirts the edge of the
racing circuit on a mix of gravel, asphalt and a
AGE ii 44
LIVES ii Bath, Somerset
PROFESSIONii Editor, Cycling Plus
WHY I RACEDii I’ve been meaning to
combine running and cycling for years…
MEET ROBSPEDDING
Age-Grouper Tale WORDS ROB SPEDDING IMAGESCHARLES WHITTON
Having quickly decided triathlon wasn’t for him, it took cycling journalist Rob Spedding
four years to sign up for a duathlon. Cue flames, pains and aero machines…
Dreaming of making engine noises, Rob
clocks a 28:58min 16km bike split on
the Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit