The Real Battle of Maldon

23 July 2018 - By James Montgomery

Another hot and humid Sunday saw 4 members of WRC’s traithlon squad take part in the local Maldon Triathlon. Myself, Liz Stuckey, Lee Blake and Carina Taylor all opting for the longer Standard “Olympic” distance involving a 1.5 kms swim in the salty and tidal Blackwater Estuary, 45 kms bike around the Dengie peninsula and a 10 kms run around the Promenade Park in Maldon.

We were all glad to get in the water as it was already getting warm at the 8:30-ish start time. After lots of kicking, pushing and shoving around the 2 lap course, Carina, naturally, was first out followed a few minutes later by Liz with Lee hot on her heels and myself a few minutes further back.

Out of T1 and onto the bike. The route out to Bradwell was fast with a following wind, but following the turn loop down to Tillington and a drag up to Steeple, the wind was now an annoying headwind and with the openroads around Dengie, we all felt its wrath. With Liz just edging Lee back into T2 and although both catching Carina, she still had a few minutes in hand on me.

Now with all of us out on the run and the day becoming quite a bit more warmer than comfortable, there was little doubt about the outcome as Liz put the hammer down on the run to distance herself from Lee and lapping both me and Carina in the process to come home as 1st lady vet and 3rd female overall. Lee did well to come home in just under the 3 hour mark with myself and Carina a few minutes further back.

A good days racing, if tough at times, by all and a fantastic result for Liz.

Many thanks to Andy Lager and Theresa Montgomery (on her birthday!) for their support.

Standard Distance:
1500m Swim/45km Bike/10km Run
Liz Stuckey
Swim:     00:33:37
Bike:       01:27:53
Run:       00:47:31
Overall: 02:52:04

Lee Blake
Swim:     00:33:03
Bike:       01:28:48
Run:       00:54:15
Overall: 02:59:08

James Montgomery
Swim:      00:36:31
Bike:        01:30:31
Run:        00:54:59
Overall:  03:06:43

Carina Taylor
Swim:    00:30:27
Bike:       01:37:02
Run:       01:03:12
Overall: 03:13:14