Well I\’ve raced in some awful conditions, but I think Sundays beats all. Semer Water had risen about 3ft during the night and was lapping over the narrow lane, completely covering the shingle beach that was used as Transition 1. So T1 was moved to the grass verge/hedge over the lane with spectators squeezed in amongst the bikes and bushes. Semer Water resembled the North Sea so after a test swim by two of the most respected swimmers in the field, the race referee chopped the swim to 400m. Even that was an ordeal with several athletes needing the canoes for assistance, and the large waves hiding athletes swimming back towards you after the turnaround until it was too late with resulting frequent (heavy) head-on collisions.
Highlights of the 42 mile bike (apart from the five 1 in 4 hills) were virtually persistent rain, a 30 mph headwind as you climbed the Buttertubs and driving sleet into your face as you negotiated the broken road and rubble dropping over Garsdale Head. Early in the run there was two lengthy thigh deep wades through water that had spread from the River. This made no difference to my kit which was already soaked after lying in the rain at Transition 2 for nearly 4 hours. The mist, wind, rain and resulting bogs made the run resemble a trip round Kinder, rather that the more modest surroundings of a 12 mile round trip up and down Great Shunner Fell.
Bob Johnston was 1st DPFR home, hopefully spurred on by my early overtaking manoevre over Askrigg Common. Trev Milner was looking strong approaching Shunner Summit. All other DPFR sensibly stayed away.
1st Martin Cain 4.11.19
7th Bob Johnston 4.33.30
22nd Andrew Moore 5.05.49
65th Trevor Milner 5.56.43
85 Individuals competed (several teams but what\’s the point?)
AM