British Elite Duathlon Championships 2018

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Sunday the 25^th March saw the first major event on the British Triathlon calendar the British Elite Duathlon Championship. Where age groupers, para-athletes, Elite Youth, Juniors and seniors battle it out for the titles.

Holmfirth Harriers had four Triathletes taking part at the event at the Aerodrome in Bedford.

First up were Lewis Byram, senior, and Fionn Kerry, first year Junior in the first of the elite events. Coming into the event after winter bugs Lewis wanted to stretch his legs.

It was a very fast start with the first lap of 2.5k being set by Adam Bowden. Both Lewis and Fionn running hard to keep up with the chasing group. After the second lap the field was split into a few groups with Bowden in the main pack and Lewis and Fionn chasing. On the bike Lewis broke away and worked with several riders to make the second chase pack followed by Fionn having a strong bike in the following group.

The bike a 4 lap course total of 20k saw last years winner Bowden take an individual lead onto the final run. Lewis in the chasing pack went out onto the second run of 5k, joined a little after by Fionn who racing in the junior event had 2.5k to go on the second run. Both boys had a tough second run after working hard on the bike. Lewis came home 22nd Senior and Fionn 22nd Junior behind winners Adam Bowden, senior and Matthew Willis, Junior.

Lucy Byram was up next in the Senior and Junior Elite event. Erica Byram this time unable to join her sister due to illness. So Lucy, this her final year as a junior, set off in the field of 42 athletes over the first run of 5k. The first lap saw about 7 athletes gain a small lead on the chasing field. Lucy had a great run finishing the long 5k in 17:55 and making the chase pack, with three athletes off the front.

Always a strong rider Lucy kept working together with the group and pulled back the gap to the leaders on every lap. With the fastest bike split of the day Lucy also had a fast T2 and was 3rd out onto the run with others chasing. Two athletes gained on Lucy and not sure who out of the top 5 were seniors or juniors until the final straight where junior come into finish and the seniors go for another lap. Lucy clear and safe in the top 5 kept her pace and with two of the four just ahead being seniors Lucy ran home to a strong finish to claim a fantastic bronze, her first individual British podium finish. The winner was Almaz Nerurka.

Richard Mcleod a PTS4 para triathlete competed later in the day. With the weather an improvement on last years very windy conditions. Richard was thrilled to have raced 3 minutes faster than last year but not able to podium on this occasion finished 4th in the class.

Next up for the juniors Fionn, Lucy and Erica is the Sospan Llanelli Sprint Triathlon in May part of the British Triathlon Super Series. Lewis will be racing in Melilla Spain, a ETU Event, next month.