ETU Standard Distance
European Duathlon Championships

26th April 2015

A very wet, windy and cold day in Alcobendas, Madrid, more akin to UK than Spain saw the European Duathlon Championships at sprint and standard distance this weekend.  There were 450 GB competitors over the two events, which is a record number.  The run and cycle courses were undulating with hardly any flat sections, a technical challenge for both runner and cyclist.

The weather deteriorated as the standard event went on and a scheduled relay event cancelled in the afternoon due to the poor weather.

There were a number of crashes and people dropping out on the cycle as a result of hypothermia (yes in Spain in late April), thankfully there were no serious injuries.

We both managed to get around in one piece, and Nora won her age group by over 10 minutes.  Duathlon races do not have race measurement certificates, however, despite the weather my time was a PB by 6mins 37 secs.

Chris Capps