Derwent Duathlon 2018

25 March

Race report and results

Another remarkable gap in the miserable weather so far this year. How do we do it? That’s three years in a row where we’ve had beautiful racing conditions. Had it been a week earlier no-one would have been able to get there for some quite spectacular snowdrifts.

It was great to welcome back the competitors in the Police Sport UK duathlon championships again and to see many now-familiar faces as this race continues to attract a lovely crowd of people who appreciate one of the loveliest of places in the Peak District.

Congratulations go to many good performances, not least to those of our winners Matthew Hallam and Bethan Gay. Matt got close to his course record but probably had a legitimate excuse for not bettering it because of the muddy conditions on the climb of the fell run.

As always, there’s still no definitive answer to that head-scratcher of which run to do first. It’s a mystery which will continue into perpetuity. The personal experiments continue year on year by those who keep coming back and that’s the way it should be. It will, one day, take its place in Peak District folklore!

I hope you enjoyed your Wolds Farm Brewery beer or, for those of a different persuasion, found someone to appreciate it. It’s brewed by an old friend of mine with whom I’ve run for many hours and miles around the Dark Peak area in years gone by. Every bottle is a hands-on product and it is getting to be in the line-up of bar pumps at quite a few pubs in the Matlock area.

 Further thanks, as always, go to those who helped out on the day – the Glossop police cadets, my friend Bob Foreman and Ian Tyers from PSUK, Rich Martin’s children for ably handing out the beer at the finish line (the most important job of the day, perhaps), mum and dad, and a lady on a bike who just asked if she could help. What a lovely gesture. I’ve no idea who she was but she was cheering you all and directing you into the finish field with great enthusiasm.

The Peak Park ranger service at Fairholmes are always a great help in the way that they just leave us to it. I like to think that this is because they trust us to look after the place – for which I must thank you all – but it’s a genuine case of less is more.

Since discovering Alpkit in recent years and finding their products to be the best and most honest on the market of outdoor equipment, I would like to thank them for their assistance in the prize department. Their new shop in Hathersage is always a pleasure to visit and their attitude to promoting outdoor activity is uniquely brilliant. Do pay them a visit if you haven’t already, and if you aim for a weekend visit there’s usually a slice of cake or a coffee on the house.

You may have seen the photos on Facebook. Some were the result of a little experiment I was having with some equipment from work, the use of which I tell myself I need to become more familiar with. They were motion-triggered cameras more usually employed by those trying to get images of wildlife. One strapped to a fence post at the top of the steps leading into transition and another at the finish line yielded some interesting results and close up facial expressions.

Again, there were some unfortunate / amusing (for the spectators) tumbles at the bike dead turn between the two laps. I’m thinking of insisting on the production of a cycling proficiency certificate before being allowed to race in future. The simple laws of physics dictate that a clockwise turn requires an inclination to starboard, and that unclipping the left foot at this point is infinitely less beneficial than the right at the moment before gravity overcomes the point of balance. That, and the use of a high gear at a near standstill!

On the other hand, whether intentional or not, there were some impressive rear wheel slides around the come too.

Anyway, on with the all-important results. Here they are. Peruse them at your leisure and our thanks to you all for joining us.