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Weavers Down Wobble

Paul Magner - Trailplus / 06.12.2004

Whilst race organisers, TrailPlus, were rewarded with yet another record entry of 117 teams of three, the competitors were less fortunate as the mild and sunny weather of the day before gave way to a distinctly chilly and damp morning on race day.

Very heavy overnight rain merely added to the slower going underfoot and, in fact, led to a late decision to trim the kayak section by using just one of the two small lakes previously earmarked.

The 10.00 am start saw the 350 or so participants head off on rolling, sandy trails. Four miles later and into the transition area for the two-lap 13-mile mountain bike route. And it was hard going- probably the toughest MTB route yet in the Sweatshop Series.

The predominantly sandy terrain was especially wet and cloying on the first lap but with the route bedding in for the second lap it was one of the five teams entered from the Thames Turbo Triathlon club who powered their way clear.

Back into transition (a large army hangar) and it was a mile run to the start of the kayaking. The very shallow water depth had a significant safety benefit for the huge number of adventure racers competing in their first ever event ... and sitting in a kayak canoe for the first time as well.

But the team from event sponsors, Sweatshop, were not so lucky. Whilst they were to go on to finish in an excellent 11th position overall, a puncture in their boat led to a couple of capsizes but, thankfully, a comment that the water was not as cold as they thought it would be! Really?

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