CONDITIONS could not have been better for the annual Playtime Productions Spring Duathlon on Sunday.
A sunny morning with little breeze meant athletes could really focus on the tough and undulating Lenches course.
As host Roy Harris reminded the six members before they left the start line, “Lench means village on a hill”.
Dai Gittens was the first runner to return after completing the first lap of 2.2 miles, with Joe Harris – back from university for a brief visit before taking final exams in May – hot on his heels.
Fighting it out for third and fourth place were Wedge Adams and Ashley Mason, the former recovering from his training session for the Three Peaks and the latter recovering from injury.
Also competing were Neil Basham and hostess Miranda Harris, who omitted the cycle in order to prepare a post-race lunch.
The second leg – a 12-mile cycle – took competitors through the Lenches to Dunnington, with a few hills on the way, before returning to Church Lench via the final gruelling climb out of Rous Lench.
Placings remained the same before the final run, by which time Gittens had increased his lead and was in no danger of being caught by Joe Harris before he crossed the finishing line.
Harris, who is in training for the Stratford Marathon, was pleased to have completed the course without mishap.
Third overall, despite technical issues on his bike, was Adams and finishing with a strong niggle-free run was Mason.
Basham also finished with a smile on his face having achieved a personal best on the course.
Miranda Harris, in training for the Stratford Half Marathon, completed the run course twice before retiring to the kitchen.
Timekeeping was expertly executed by Jackie Adams and photographs were taken by Roy. Lunch al fresco was a perfect end to a very successful morning and an opportunity to discuss future club race plans for September.
