07/09/2009 - Helvellyn Triathlon - Race Report and Results
Race Report by Lisa Tweddle
The Helvellyn Triathlon, arguably the toughest triathlon in the country, with a 1-mile swim in the chilly waters of Ullswater, followed by a 38-mile bike which takes in the notorious Struggle at the Kirkstone Pass which has a gradient of 25%. To top it all off is a 9-mile fell run to the top of Helvellyn (3118 feet) and back down the other side.
In recent years, the event has attracted some of the sports top names including current ITU World Cup leader Alistair Brownlee and younger brother Jonathan. Today's race was no exception, particularly in the women's event where Emma-Kate Lidbury, elite Half Ironman athlete (she was 5th pro at Antwerp 70.3 this year) was down to compete. There was no doubt that the duration of the race would suit the Wiggle sponsored athlete, but would the terrain? Only time would tell.
Due to the heavy rain and wind which had battered the race venue just days before, there was a question as to whether the race would actually still go ahead. But thankfully, conditions were good on the day and the race went ahead as planned.
The men were lead out of the water by Loughbrough student, Chris Joyce who made his intentions clear by posting a swift 16.37. He was followed over 30 seconds later by Eliot Chalifour of Votwo.co.uk Racing Team in 17.07 and Richard Walsh, a close 3rd in 17.08.
The bike, as expected, was where the big changes were set to happen as the strongest cyclists came to the fore. Daniel Corner of Shorter Rochford Exclusive Ranges Race Team, who was 4th after the swim, put in an exceptional performance to move into the lead in 1.44.05. Meanwhile, Richard Hunt of Kudu Tri who was over 2 minutes down after the swim, posted the quickest bike split in 1.43.53 to move into 2nd as Julian Hatcher of Team AVS moved into 3rd in 1.46.44.
With the run remaining, it became a matter of who had enough energy left to get to the top of Helvellyn, and who would be fearless enough for the run down the other side. Corner, had been racing consistently all day, and was not prepared to give up on victory. In doing so, he posted the days 2nd fastest run in an exceptionally swift, 1.19.55 to win overall in 3.22.39. Hatcher, made a spirited attempt to close the gap, but just missed out clocking the days fastest run in 1.19.09 for 2nd in 3.26.14. Hunt (1.23.59) ran solidly for 3rd in 3.27.59 as Chalifour was 4th in 3.34.05. Martin Cain of the GMC Fire Service was 5th in 3.36.45.
The women were lead out of the water by ex-swimmer, Pollyanne Veazey-French of Matlock Athletics Club, in 17.20 followed a mere 1 second later by Emma-Kate Lidbury of Wiggle.co.uk in 17.21. Lucy Donnelly of Arragons Cumbrian Tri Club, exited in 3rd just over 90seconds back, in 18.45.
Lidbury is renowned for her exceptional biking ability and as predicted she quickly moved into the lead and left her challengers behind, posting a time over 8 minutes faster than her nearest rival in 2.01.28. Veazey-French comfortably held 2nd in 2.09.14 as Cheryl Frost of Keswickbikes.co.uk moved into 3rd in 2.11.07.
After her storming bike ride, victory for Lidbury looked almost certain as she is also a strong runner. However, Veazey-French had other idea's and set about trying to close down the deficit. Just before the top of the mountain, she cruised by a tired-looking Lidbury and continued to stride away. Her blistering run split of 1.31.46 was the quickest female time of the day and lead her to overall victory in 4.01.30. Frost unfortunately had to withdraw on the run which promoted Natalie Batey of Ryton Tri in to 3rd place in 4.22.02 with Judith Irving a close 4th in 4.22.23. Phil Richards (Weston Athletics Club) was 5th in 4.26.17.
Full results can be seen here:
www.trihard.co.uk/Results/Helvellyn%2009%20results.xls
Photographs can be seen here:
www.finishlinephotos.co.uk
Results (Abbreviated)
Overall Men
1) Daniel Corner Shorter Rochford Exclusive Ranges 3.22.39
2) Julian Hatcher Team AVS 3.26.14
3) Richard Hunt Kudu Tri 3.27.59
Overall Women
1) Pollyanne Veazey-French Matlock AC 4.01.30
2) Emma-Kate Lidbury Wiggle.co.uk 4.15.52
3) Natalie Batey - Ryton Tri - 4.22.02
Prize Winners (Men)
Senior Daniel Corner Shorter Rochford Exclusive Ranges 3.22.39
Vet40 Philip Addyman Ryton Tri 3.46.02
Vet50 James Connolly Unattached 4.23.51
Vet60 Roger Butterfield Unattached 5.16.10
Prize Winners (Women )
Senior Pollyanne Veazey-French Matlock AC 4.01.30
Vet40 Judith Irving Unattached 4.22.23
Vet50 Carol Young Leeds & Bradford Tri Club 4.47.20