Euro and World Champs Qualifiers

Derek, Sharon, Vince and Johnathan were all competing yesterday in the Althorp Duathlon – a qualifier for the European and World Sprint Duathlon Championships. Fran and I were supposed to be there too but it turns out I’m rubbish and she has already qualified for the longer Powerman Event, so for the second time in a fortnight there was an executive suite at the Northampton Travelodge unexpectedly going begging (there you go boys who says I haven’t still got it!).

So who made the cut? Well that’s a bit tricky to say at present. Sharon definitely has, she’s pictured above collecting her ‘prize’ for winning her age group…. no hold on, smashing her age group, to qualify for both championship events (and if you are putting your money on a TriPurbeck medal this year…..). Derek definitely qualified for the Euros and we await confirmation on the Worlds, Finshing 5th in his age group  despite suffering with a flu like illness all week (look he is from the North, I’m not – this thing is clearly after us Southerners!). Johnathan raced brilliantly in his first qualifier to finish 7th in age group and will make the Euros and looks very competitive. Vince came 13th in his age group and may qualify depending on who of the 13 is registered for the event – watch this space. Either way, we’re all off to Horst (no idea) in April where 4 or 5 TriPurbeck athletes will be representing GB – how very exciting!

The long distance boys were stretching their legs today in the Bath Half with John Skilton and Peter Fraser both posting PBs of 1hr44min, and before you accuse them of drafting Roddy, can I point out that a. they are allowed to in a running race and b. I don’t think it helps. Incredible that John managed to concentrate that long without nipping in to one of the local hotels to see what deals they had on a weekend break.

3 weeks til the Sika Duathlon – get those entries in if you want to do it!