A chilly Monster Racing Duathlon

Race report: The Eastern Counties Finance Monster Racing Duathlon - Sunday, March 17, 2013

The event returned to Witchford Village College for the second year. This year’s event was somewhat chillier than last year! Luckily Bizzi Beans Café were on site providing tasty warm treats for athletes and spectators.

90 athletes took part in the event that consisted of a 5km run, followed by a 25km bike ride and then another 5km run. Both run and bike course offer a fast and flat route, taking in a disused WW2 airfield at the Lancaster Way site.

First across the line in the men’s race was Phil Melling (Huub TFN RT) in a time of 1h 14mins and 27secs. Second male was Tom Vickery (Cambridge Triathlon Club), 1:14:52, and third male was Karl Free (Metropolitan Police Triathlon Club), 1:16:53

The women’s race was won by Lucy Gossage (Cambridge Triathlon Club) in a time of 1h 19mins and 53secs. Second female was Vicky Gill (Swim For Tri), 1:23:26, and third female was Esther Rodriguez (Cambridge Triathlon Club), 1:25:55.

First and second placed athletes won cash prizes donated by Eastern Counties Finance, third place athletes won goodies donated by Zone3. Tasty race nutrition was provided by Hammer Nutrition and 9Bar.

Age Group winners: 17 – 24 - Tom Stead (NiceTri St Neots), 1:21:22. 25 – 34 - Tom Vickery (Cambridge Triathlon Club), 1:14:52, and Lucy Gossage (Cambridge Triathlon Club), 1:19:53. 35 – 44 - Phil Melling (Huub TFN RT), 1:14:27, and Libby Free (Metropolitan Police Triathlon Club), 1:30:43. 45 – 54 - Richard Hancock (NiceTri St Neots) and Sandie Jardine (Ely Tri Club) 2:11:32, 1:18:18. 55+ - Chris Potter (University of East Anglia Tri Club), 1:27:12, and Gillian Holmes (Thorney Running Club), 2:18:13.

Athletes from local clubs, Ely Tri Club and Ely runners took part, in ordering of finishing: Madeline Howarth (1:45:36), Kirstie Blencowe (1:46:42), Laura Marshall-Colling (1:58:42), Samantha Collins-Shirley (2:02:29) and Age Group winner Sandie Jardine (2:11:32).

Event photos are available www.ian-greenphotography.co.uk.

A Monster Racing spokesman said: “It was good to see many athletes take part in our early season duathlon. It’s great to put of an event which attracts a mixed field, from first timers to pro athletes. Some familiar faces returned, which makes us very proud!”

Monster Racing are holding their main event of the year, the ECF Monster Middle, and a brand new event, the ECF Monster Olympic Triathlon on 18th August at Jubilee Gardens. Both events include an iconic river swim and a fast bike and run course. The ECF Monster Middle has been selected as a British Triathlon Federation Adult League race for the second year running!

Monster Racing are also introducing an Ultra event to their event calendar on 29th September. This is a 72.5km foot race. Entries for all events are open at www.monsterracing.net

The organisers would like to thank everyone who helped marshal, all competitors, all safety and ‘behind the scenes’ crew as well all our sponsors. Thank you also to Witchford Village College for providing such a great facility.

Men's results

Women's results

Click here for provisional results