Holmfirth Harriers Holme Moss Duathlon 2011

The first ever Holme Moss Duathlon took place on Sunday 10 April in the best weather conditions anyone could have hoped for.

The organisers had billed this event as the toughest Duathlon in the UK this year and it certainly lived up to that expectation.

Duathlon is simply a run/bike/run event and 60 nervous athletes lined up at Holmfirth Harriers base in Honley, to undertake this task.  The first run was a hilly 10k that started at Honley, taking in Castle Hill and then via Woodsome Road to Farnley Tyas, finishing back at base in Honley.
 
The early fast pace and tougher than expected hills led to 4 athletes abandoning their race on the way down from Castle Hill.  One of these was Holmfirth Harriers favourite for the race title Richard Anderson. Unfortunately for Anderson he had run a terrific run the day before for Holmfirth Harriers in the National Road relays – this cost him dear in his second race of the weekend.

First to finish the run was unattached Chris Birchall in a terrific time of 40.17 – almost 90 seconds ahead of eventual winner another unattached athlete Mark Tuckett. First Harrier home on the run was Rob Savin in 4th place with a time of 42:22.  Rob showed his consistency by repeating this feat on both the bike and second run splits.

First lady to finish the run was Donna Edmondson Booker from Leeds Bradford Triathlon club just ahead of Holmfirth Harriers Kath Farquhar, this would prove to be one of several races within the race.

Following the run, athletes returned to their bikes and started on their epic (and iconic) climb up Holme Moss.  The bike leg was no easier with a total climb of 620m. First back from their 40k bike leg was Mark Tuckett, now in the lead but followed closely by Rob Savin.  A total of 16 athletes completed the bike course in under 1.30 hours a terrific achievement, including Holmfirth veteran David Williams in his first multi sports event, finishing the bike leg in style, taking the lead in his age group and gaining a top 10 place

The second run and final part of this epic was a short 5k through Brockholes and up the sting in the tail that proved to be Brockholes Lane.  Many athletes legs failed them on this section and they just had to walk the steepest parts.  What followed was no easier for tired legs as the last mile was downhill all the way to the finish, putting more pressure on their aching limbs. 

Once again a fast time was set by Birchall on the run with an incredible time of 17.09, however, first to finish overall was Mark Tuckett in an overall time of 2:19.18.  Second home was Rob Savin in 2:22.28

Other Harriers were David Williams 1st V 50 and 10th overall in 2:33.16, Kath Farquhar 1stFV40 and 2nd Female overall in 2:41.02, Wayne Byram 22nd overall in 2:42.11 and in their first multi sport races were Nathan Martin 29th in 2:46.23, Graham Howatson 36th in 2:52.42, Brandon Holroyd 39th in 2:58.39, Richard Whale 51st in 3:54.27 and Hillary Booth 53rd in 4:02.28

Organisers wish to thank all Marshalls and volunteers who helped on the day, without their efforts this race could not have taken place.

Holmfirth Harriers next Triathlon Events are the Junior Duathlon at Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Bradford on Saturday 4 June and the Junior Triathlon at Holmfirth Sands on Sunday 10 July.  See http://www.holmfirthharriers.com/triathlon/index.html for more details.