Dan Geisler has had a successful start to the season, winning Hereford Duathlon and qualifying for the World Duathlon Championships after racing at Dambuster Duathlon.

Dan raced at Dambuster Duathlon on 9^th March. The duathlon was a qualification race for the 2013 Duathlon World Championships and was chosen as the 2013 British National Championship race so the competition was tough! Dan raced well and qualified as the 4^th person to represent Great Britain in the 25 – 29 age group at the Duathlon World Championships.

Dan then raced at Hereford Duathlon on Sunday 14^th June. The race was a 5mile run, 18mile bike and 2.5 mile run. Dan set a fast pace for the first 5miles. Two men tried to stay with him but they dropped off after the first 2.5mile lap so Dan was in first place going into transition. Dan spent a lot of the bike in the lead, despite having a stone stuck in his cleat for 5miles of the race meaning he couldn’t clip into his pedals. The very experienced and fast triathlete Andy Shipton overtook Dan on the bike with about two miles to go, however Dan’s excellent running form meant that he overtook Andy just after transition and then went on to win the race. Well done Dan!

Dan has been training hard over the winter getting up for 5.30am bike rides before work and aiming for 15 – 20 hours of training a week. Dan commented that ‘it’s nice to win to make it all worth while!’ Congratulations Dan on your superb performances and we wish you luck for the rest of the season!

The last race of the Tewkesbury Aquathlon series took place on Sunday 7th April. The weather was better and the run course was much drier for this race compared to the previous ones in the series, which led to faster run times. Dan Geisler had another good result finishing in second place overall. He completed the 400m swim and 5km run in 23.40mins. His 16.41 minute run was the fastest of the day. Ellen Hemsworth was the 1st lady home and finished 11th overall. Ellen completed the course in 26.33 mins.

PEOPLETON DUATHLON REPORT

Worcester Triathlon Club held their annual Peopleton Duathlon on Sunday 3^rd March in dry, calm but very chilly weather.  This was the 9^th year of this very popular early season race with over 80 competitors signed up.  Triathletes from Bristol and Ludlow participated as well as local triathletes.  The village community are heavily involved with the race as the residents assist with race marshalling and the club makes a donation – in the past to St Nicholas Church, Peopleton, but this year the donation will go to St Richard’s Hospice to assist them with their work in the local community.

The race started at 9am outside the Village Hall with a mass start. The first part of the race is a two lap 4 mile run, followed by a two lap 18 mile bike and finally a 1 lap run to finish in the Village Hall sports field.

The overall male winner was Richard Lomas of BRAT Club in a speedy time of 1.20.32, Daniel Geisler of Worcester Tri Club was 2nd in 1.21.05 and Danny Harris of Worcester Tri Club was 3^rd in 1.21.31.

Overall female winner was Allison Bagnell in a time of 1.34.36, 2^nd was Jessica Williams in 1.38.36 and 3^rd was Nicola Noble of Yogi Cycling in 1.42.50.

Triathletes were also competing to win their age category. Tom Ward won the male junior category whilst Andrew Shipton and Louise Reynolds won the veteran category. Peter Wheddon and Helen Seabourne won the super vet category and Peter Hawcroft won the male ultra vet category.

The 2nd race in the Tewkesbury Aquathlon series took place on Sunday 3rd February. Once again Worcester tri club members were out in force. Dan Geisler finished 3rd overall with the fastest run split of of the day. He finished his 5km run in a time of 17.42 mins. Richard Gill also had a great race, finishing 5th overall and new club member Huw Pritchard raced well whilst competing in his first multi-sport event.

In the ladies race, Ellen Hemsworth was the 2nd lady home and was 9th overall.

Well done to all those that raced yesterday.

Please remember that if you have raced recently, send your race reports to Ellen Hemsworth. They can be as detailed or as brief as you would like.

Club member Rachel Ward competed at the Suicide 6 on Sunday 25th November. The suicide 6 is a multi terrain running race with tough climbs and serious mud and water. Rachel was the 14th lady overall. Well done Rachel!