Big Bear Bikes supported athlete Geoff Wynn smashed the field in his latest triathlon at Allerthorpe near York. Here he tells us about the race and why Marauder, who organise this and other local events, are worth a look for people wanting to do their first triathlon or more seasoned campaigners looking for a challenge.
I raced at Allerthorpe near to York in the sprint distance triathlon held by Marauder events. Allerthorpe is where I do most of my outdoor swim training so it was nice to race somewhere local and familiar. Marauder have taken over the triathlons at Allerthorpe after the previous company folded during Covid and had made a couple of small changes to the bike and run routes so I had been and recced these in advance of the race.
I was feeling good leading up to Sunday, having trained and recovered well and, whilst discussing the race with a friend who was going to be in the same wave as me, I made a throw away comment that I was going out hard from the start and I'd either win or she would pass me in a heap on the floor somewhere round the course.
Race day arrived and despite thinking I was organised, part way through my warm-up I realised I'd left my wetsuit lube in the van, which prompted an unwanted sprint across the park to retrieve it. Briefing done and into the lake to acclimatise, I positioned myself with a nice straight line to the first buoy but to the left of most others trying to avoid any melee at the start. Anyone who knows me will know the swim is the weakest part of my race so what happened next came as a shock to me and my spectating family.
As the starter horn sounded and we set off, I found myself at the first buoy with one person beside me and the guide kayak just in front of me. Five yards later I was on my own and that continued for the whole 800m swim. Despite constantly expecting someone to appear from behind and overtake me, it never happened and I found myself coming out of the water in first place with a sizeable gap to second.
My first transition (T1) was a bit sloppy, with my wetsuit getting caught round my ankle, but after dealing with that it was out of transition and up to the mount line. Flying onto my Trek Speed Concept, head down and legs moving, I soon got into a rhythm and stuck to my target power and completed the 20km course within seconds of my target time.
Just the run to go and this being my strongest discipline I was ready to try to extend my lead. The run into T2 was interesting with a strong crosswind trying to take the bike out of my hand but I managed to get it back on the rack, trainers on and off we go. The first mile went to plan then the cover of the trees relented and the sun turned the temperature up, making it uncomfortable. I said to myself, just keep pushing to the turnaround point and then the last mile and a bit will be back in the shade.
The last mile was hard work and I just kept pushing until the finish line came into sight, then summoning the last dregs of energy I pushed hard for the line and then had a little lie down for three minutes trying to get my breath back. I knew I had given it everything and when I got a piece of paper shoved into my hand with provisional times and results on there at the bottom were the words that validated the effort "Position 1".
All that effort had been worth it as I stood on the “podium” (some grass in front of a sponsor board), first place overall and 40-44 age group winner! Looking at the detailed results later I had managed to win by over six minutes and whilst it wasn't a perfect race I knew I had put everything I had into it that day and it paid off.
For anyone wanting to do their first triathlon or for seasoned pros, take a look at Marauder events for next year, I can't recommend them enough. The event was run so smoothly and the run was on closed roads which made for a really stress free race.
