Report by Anna Holder:

Six VC10 members competed alongside 293 others in Sunday’s Thame Triathlon; a pool sprint, based at Thame Leisure Centre, with a 400m swim, 11 mile bike and 3 mile run.

Luckily, the jetstream rain decided to take a break on Sunday morning so we were lucky to be able to compete in dry and sunny conditions.

After collecting our numbers and a briefing in the sports hall, we went to set up our kit in transition; this year located in the tennis courts next to the centre.

With our bikes racked and our kit tactically positioned, we set about trying to be professional and walked the routes in and out of transition from the pool to the bike, and the bike to the run. Take notes Dave …

The swim worked out well, with only 4 to 5 people in each lane at any time. The only difficulty was trying to count 16 lengths, which you’d think would be easy.. but there’s something about swimming that seems to rid you of even the most basic numerical skills! Then out of the side doors from the pool, along a red carpet to transition and out onto the main road on the bike.

The bike course turned left out of the leisure centre, up to the main roundabout and then back past the leisure centre, all the way through Thame town centre and out the other side to the roundabout in Chinnor. Then back to the start. A nice flat course which was quite fast and nicely sheltered from the wind on the way back.

The run route was similarly straight and flat, making its way out onto the Phoenix Trail which runs right past the back of the leisure centre. A marshall sitting by a traffic cone signalled the half-way point and then it was back into the leisure centre field for the finish.

We were greeted at the end by an announcer, a big VC10 support crew who made us proud with their cheers, and a drink… and relief that the pain was over!

A massive thank you to everyone who came to support us, in the pool, on the road and at the finish. You all made a huge difference and spurred us on massively. Thanks too to the organisers for a brilliant event.

Special congratulations go to Dave Johnson who won his age group and well done to everyone else for some brilliant performances.

Results:

Mark Patterson – 59:46 – 21st overall – 9th in the male 35-39 age group

Dave Johnson – 1:02:59 – 36th overall – 1st in the male 55-59 age group

Suzy Robinson – 1:05:26 – 63rd overall – 3rd in the female 25-29 age group

Adam Holder – 1:08:30 – 85th overall – 7th in the male 25-29 age group

Anna Holder – 1:10:39 – 114th overall – 8th in the female 30-34 age group

Nick Reed – 1:11:40 – 129th overall – 28th in the male 35-39 age group

Today’s time trial on the Tring F11/10 course has been cancelled.

Roadworks on the course have made it unsafe, so unfortunately we’ve had to cancel the event. We’ve emailed and left messages where we have contact details, but if you know anyone who might not have heard, please let them know.

We are hoping to get another event organised on the same course for late August or early September and will keep you posted.

Thank you.

VC10.