Ahead of the British Elite Duathlon Championships yesterday, we did ask of this preview on social media, “Can anyone challenge Emma Pallant on Sunday”. And of course, the resounding response was “No!”. Good reason for that too, as the two-time and reigning ITU World Duathlon Champion completely dominated the race yesterday, winning the 5km / 20km / 2.5km format by almost spot on three minutes. That is HUGE.
Only Rio 2016 Olympic 10,000m runner, Beth Potter, could give Emma any company over the opening 5km, at which point Emma took off solo and recorded a 31:56 bike split, which was more than a minute quicker than anyone else. Add in the fastest second run too = domination. Only a leisurely T2 prevented her from adding the fastest transitions too…
Gr8 fun defending my National Duathlon title, thanks @Teamdillon @BMCEtixxTri @HOKAONEONE ☀☀ pic.twitter.com/TEBCzZvzYb
— Emma Pallant (@EmmaPallant) April 9, 2017
Classy Bowden takes the title
After a great 2017 season to date, defending champion Richard Horton was – perhaps – a narrow favourite going into this event,, but coming down with food poisoning on Friday all but ended his chances. While he did start, a distant 12th place wouldn’t appear to be a reflection of his form.
The opening run saw a small lead for Danny Russell and Adam Bowden (14:46 for the 5km), before another 13 athletes would reach their bikes within 15 seconds. On the bike, Bowden was joined by a returning to racing Mark Buckingham, plus an impressive Luke Pollard (RAF Triathlon) in a small breakaway group. That would be the decisive move of the day, as that trio would go on to complete the podium.
Bowden was a different class with a blistering second run to take the title, Buckingham can be more than happy with a Silver after missing so much running, while for Pollard that is surely his best result to date at this level of competition. A very content podium trio.
Adam of course is now both British Elite Duathlon and Triathlon Champion, having won at Tri Liverpool last year.
Great to take the win at the National Duathlon Championships. Nice to be in a breakaway with @TriBucko Congratulations to all who took part. pic.twitter.com/NWLTPXJ0FN
— Adam Bowden (@Adamspeedytri) April 9, 2017
Veterans dominate the Age-Group Championships
The Age-Group racing at Bedford was over the non-drafting, standard distance format – and experience won out!
The first man overall, Phil Melling (Greenlight PT), and women, Gill Fullen (Bedford Harriers), showed the youngsters a clean pair of heels – being in the 40-44 and 50-54 categories respectively. We will bring you more on Gill’s race later this week.
FULL RESULTS FROM BEDFORD
British Elite Duathlon Championships – Sunday9th April 2017
Bedford Aerodrome
SENIOR WOMEN
1st – Emma Pallant – 58:24
2nd – Bronwen Owen – 1:01:23
3rd – Georgina Schwiening – 1:02:02
SENIOR MEN
1st – Adam Bowden – 52:20
2nd – Mark Buckingham – 53:01
3rd – Luke Pollard – 53:22
It's good to be back pic.twitter.com/O5qGO8Pgkw
— Mark Buckingham (@TriBucko) April 9, 2017
JUNIOR WOMEN
1st – Kate Waugh – 1:01:39
2nd – Caitlin Roper – 1:03:33
3rd – Erin Wallace – 1:04:06
Pleased to win the Junior National Duathlon champs today, and have my favourite supporter with me!!🐶🙌 pic.twitter.com/OlpxNAGMdF
— Kate Waugh (@KateWaugh1) April 9, 2017
JUNIOR MEN
1st – Cameron Richardson – 53:58
2nd – Matthew Willis – 55:02
3rd – Josh Hendry – 55:05
YOUTH WOMEN
1st – Libby Coleman – 33:51
2nd – Isabel Atkins – 33:58
3rd – Freya Thompson – 34:03
YOUTH MEN
1st – Connor Bentley – 29:01
2nd – Daniel Dixon – 29:07
3rd – Reuben Mantle – 29:24
British Age-Group Duathlon Championships – Sunday9th April 2017
Bedford Aerodrome – 10km / 39km / 5km (Non-Drafting)
TOP FIVE OVERALL – WOMEN
1st – Gill Fullen (Bedford Harriers) – 2:01:47 (50-54)
2nd – Katherine Renouf (TWTC) – 2:05:57 (25-29)
3rd – Joanna Wright (Farnham Tri Club) – 2:07:40 (25-29)
4th – Genia Marek – 2:08:19 (30-34)
5th – Davina Greenwell (Hadleigh Hares) – 2:09:46 (30-34)
TOP FIVE OVERALL – MEN
1st – Phil Melling (Greenlight PT) – 1:45:31 (40-44)
2nd – James Phillips (9 Endurance Tri Club) – 1:46:02 (20-24)
3rd – Richard Anderson (RedVenom.co.uk) – 1:49:58 (25-29)
4th – Hugh Mackenzie (Pro-VO2) – 1:50:27 (35-39)
5th – Peter Ellis (Royal Air Force Tri) – 1:50:41 (30-34)
Went from the gun today, lead till lap 6/8 of the bike, couldn't quite claw it back on the second run but 1st AG/2nd Overall gets a 👍 pic.twitter.com/lkcACmud7O
— James Phillips (@jcphillips1993) April 9, 2017
British ParaDuathlon Championships – Sunday 9th April 2017
Bedford Aerodrome – 5km / 20km / 2.5km
Full results HERE.
In the Women's PTHC we saw a nail biting sprint finish! 🏆went to Jade Jones, 🥈to Karen Drake and 🥉went to Lizzie Tench pic.twitter.com/LXgX9o2Djm
— British Triathlon (@BritTri) April 9, 2017
The men's PTHC category was won by @Joetownsend1664, with Bret Crossley taking the silver & Mark Conway scooping the bronze pic.twitter.com/9uRgBQ9g97
— British Triathlon (@BritTri) April 9, 2017
Davis Ellis retained his Male PTVI title, guided by Carl Shaw pic.twitter.com/vBUPKPHNxc
— British Triathlon (@BritTri) April 9, 2017
A British Duathlon Championship title also went to @RyanTay93 with a storming display in the PTS2 category pic.twitter.com/Opjx8VLUIe
— British Triathlon (@BritTri) April 9, 2017
Gold for Steve Crowley in the male PTS4 category beating Rich Mcload into silver medal position pic.twitter.com/hJPx3wkjZd
— British Triathlon (@BritTri) April 9, 2017
Male PTS5 category was won by Chris Frost, with Graig McNeil in second and Charlie Stanton-Stock taking third. Fantastic racing all day 💪 pic.twitter.com/5dFOQhLmcX
— British Triathlon (@BritTri) April 9, 2017
Are we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
