Monster Racing Duathlon 2017 report

The Monster Racing Duathlon sponsored by Zone3 took place on Sunday, 26^th February. The event has taken place at Witchford Village College since 2012.

Monster Racing are known for their well thought out routes and cool events. The event was a sell out at over 130 entrants, the biggest start-list to date, including newcomers to multisport through to GB age-groupers. The athletes had signed up to a fast and flat course.

The Monster Duathlon Course

They started off with the 5km run course taking in a disused WW2 airfield, before quickly transitioning onto their bike. They then cycled out into Fenland territory for 25km before a quick change back into their running shoes and heading off round the 5km run to finish.

First across the line in the men’s race was Graham Rands (Man Tri / GMFRS Tri Club) in a time of 1h 17mins and 13secs. Second male was David Chesterman (UEA Triathlon Club) 01:17:50, and third male was Alex Metcalfe (Ely Runners) 01:18:01.

The women’s race was won by Hannah Bye (UEA Triathlon Club) in a time of 1h 26mins and 38secs, taking 10 minutes off her 2016 time that saw her place third last last year – impressive! Second female was Becky Hair (Birmingham Running Athletics & Triathlon) 01:28:16, and third female was Angela Joiner-Handy (West Suffolk Wheelers) 01:30:34.

All podium finishers won vouchers donated by lead sponsor Zone3, the award winning triathlon brand.

Age Group winners:

16 – 24 – Tom Huband (UEA Triathlon Club) 01:19:05 and Florence Evans (UEA Triathlon Club) 01:45:48.
25 – 34 – Jake Pye (Team Skipper) 01:19:38 and Davina Greenwell (Hadleigh Hares) 01:30:37.
35 – 44 – Jared Walbridge (Cambridge Triathlon Club) 01:20:28 and Charlotte Smith (Thetford AC) 01:36:14.
45 – 54 – Chris Tye (Ipswich Triathlon Club) 01:26:06 and Kim O’Neill (Manchester Triathlon Club) 01:45:13.
55+ – Patrick Ellerbeck (Nicetri) 01:29: and Sandie Jardine (Madame Monster / Ely Tri Club) 02:09:16.

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Two lucky racers were chosen at random as they crossed the finish line to take home a pair of Alphawoolf trainers and a Sixty4 sports bra, courtesy of Fenlend Runner. Tasty race nutrition was provided for all by Hammer Nutrition and Love Life Supplements.

Athletes from local clubs Ely Tri Club, Ely & District Cycling Club and Ely Runners took part, in ordering of finishing: Alex Metcalfe, (ER) 01:18:01, Adam Gould (ETC) 01:33:11, Doug Wylie (ETC) 01:41:40, Lauren Thomas (ER) 01:42:30, Tony Kirby-Cook (ER) 01:47:24, Andrew Thompson (ER) 01:50:24, Nadia Baker (ETC) 01:51:01, Ross Bailey (ETC) 01:52:25, Michael Burrell (E&DCC) 01:52:58, Jacqui Baldwin (ER) 01:53:18, Andrea Ballantine (ETC) 02:07:44, Claire Geary (ER) 02:08:15, and Lara Edwards (ETC) 02:15:59.

Event photos are available via www.ian-greenphotography.com.

The Organisers said:

“For those wanting to test how successful their winter training has been, the Duathlon is perfectly timed. Athletes can see what has worked well and not so well, allowing them to tweak their training program for a successful race season. It was great to see the event sell out this year and attract the most entrants to date. As with all our events we saw some familiar faces returned which is great! This small but friendly event has a great atmosphere and attracts a mixed field, from first timers to pro athletes”

Monster Racing have a busy race season ahead, with events taking place all across East Anglia. There is a new event added to the schedule for 2017, the Monster Ambit, a cool 24 hour running event. Details and 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.Monst