Weekend Round Up 27th 28th July
The weekend’s activities have been split in two. There is a separate report for our Tuff Trio at Outlaw Full Distance Triathlon (it’s a cracking read). This still leaves a huge variety of events, swimming cycling and running as set out below both at home and abroad.
Catherine
L’ALPE D’HUEZ TRIATHLON
L’Alpe d’Huez is a ski resort in South-eastern France in the central French Western Alps, and the location of the infamous Alpe d’Huez. This was the setting for a weeklong festival of multisport, attended by Catherine Bellsham-Revell who has kindly reported in on what must be a bucket list Tri to add to anyone’s list.
‘Last Friday I took on the “M” Alpe d’huez triathlon. Being an avid tour de france fan, I’d always wanted to do a race on the famous climb. M is easier than L, but neither of them are traditional triathlon distances. M is in distance somewhere between a sprint and an Olympic distance (1.2k swim, 28Km bike, 6.5 k run (1450 metres of climbing)) whereas L is somewhere between middle distance and ironman (2.2k swim, 113km bike and 20 k run (4000 + metres of climbing) – but these triathlons are all about the bike, the altitude and the summer heat. They also try to persuade you that it’s about the cold of the glacial lake, but to seasoned UK open water swimmers, it’s positively balmy (17 degrees!)’
‘Another non-traditional aspect is that you have two transitions (given that the cycle leg is all about the uphill). T1 is in the bottom of the valley by the lake and T2 is up on the top of the mountain in the resort, so there’s a fair degree of organisation required’.
‘Alpe d’Huez takes the triathlon seriously. There’s a week of events and a fantastic atmosphere, starting with a duathlon (valley run, cycle climb, mountain run), then a really lovely kids triathlon taking place all over the village (they get to swim in the beautiful outdoor pool) then the Long and then the Medium…It’s also really international, with competitors from all over the world’.
‘My daughter and I watched the L triathlon, particularly the end – where the final finishers are coming in after nearly 12 hours (with the winner completing it in around 6 and a half). Like most long-distance triathlons, the early finishers come back to cheer on the later finishers and the atmosphere for the last competitor to cross the line is just brilliant. It’s packed and there’s loads of cheering and whooping’.
‘For my race, I had to first cycle to T1.. This was rather further than expected and wasn’t, as they had said, all downhill – it was around 20 km with a bit of climbing.. But good for warming up the legs … T1 is in a beautiful valley with a sparkling aquamarine lake, where people are only allowed to swim for the triathlon. It’s a one loop course for the M triathlon and with 1800 participants, they had scrapped the mass start (thankfully) and gone for a rolling start, which made the swim much less of a bun-fight than expected. I think I was the only person not in a full wetsuit, but the water, after standing around in the 30 degree heat in the start pen was so welcoming and gorgeous and clear!’.
‘Then on to the bike, along the valley, around to the bottom of the famous climb. The flat section (about 14 km) is fast and although the roads aren’t closed, the marshalls and the police do hold up a lot of the traffic and the drivers, rather than getting cross, get out of their cars to cheer. There’s a couple of roundabouts as you approach the bottom of the climb and then you turn onto the first section – which is about 10% for 2-3km. It’s brutal and all of that speed just evaporates like cycling into a wall. And you suddenly realise how hot it is! Each hairpin gives you a little bit of relief as it’s flatter there – but in the first part of the climb they are SO far apart. The climb has 21 hairpins and they count down as you go up. I was going ok and then I felt the horror of my back wheel tugging a bit. Someone came past and told me my back tyre was going flat, which I’d felt but dreaded…I creaked up to hairpin 13 where I spent a good half an hour changing my inner tube with helpful shouted hints from the event photographer who was very clearly frustrated that he couldn’t just fix it for me!…I was then pretty far behind where I hoped I’d be and my pump couldn’t really get the tyre up to the pressure needed, so it was rather a struggle to the top’.
‘The organisers had set up a big fan zone in Huez village and it was a tiny bit like a tour de france climb with loads of supporters standing in the road yelling – but I was really pleased to see them! I was also really happy when I passed a lady on the bike that she shouted, “go on fitty” – it was Jane King, who had previously been a Tuff when she lived in Worthing but had since moved away (she won her category btw). So we had a slightly surreal discussion about Worthing and Littlehampton on the top part of the climb’.
‘It was a huge relief to get to hairpin 1 and the final climb into the village. My daughter was convinced she’d missed me on the cycle course as I was so slow so had moved to the run course to try and spot me. Despite the altitude (1900m) the run isn’t as cruel as it could be. There is around 100 metres of climbing but it is fairly distributed around the course, which is both trail and road, with amazing views up the Sarenne valley. There was a fair amount of walking from everyone up the hills, but we got to run into the finish as it’s at the bottom of a downhill. I crossed the line in 4 hours 12, about half an hour behind where I thought I’d be, probably due to my inept puncture mending’.
‘The organisation support team is excellent –lots of water and snack stops and the support when you come into the end is fantastic. It’s a brilliant race and I’d really recommend it to anyone who wants to try something a little different. Despite the distances, the M felt more like an Olympic/Middle distance mash-up and talking to L participants lots of them thought it was more like an ironman than it should be!’
Catherine
Isis
LONDON T100
The first question is probably what is T100? The London marathon organisers have linked up with the Professional Triathletes Organisation and this London fixture was the fourth leg of the T100 Triathlon World Tour, which includes athletes such as Alistair Brownlee and Lucy Charles-Barclay. The aim is for the event to become a flagship on its new World Tour and the sport’s equivalent of Wimbledon in tennis. Until 2023 the event was known as ‘The London Triathlon’ but was back for 2024 as a new brand with the new 100KM Triathlon replacing the Middle Distance and the introduction of a Pro Race.
This year there were forty of the world’s top male and female triathletes and together with 4,500 age groupers, it was a well supported event across Saturday and Sunday. There was a fantastic performance on the bike from Emma Kuusela as part of a relay team. In addition we had Isis Solato racing well who has reported about her time in Victoria Dock and streets around London Docklands having raced previously when it was ‘London Triathlon’
‘ Just messaging to give an overview of the London T100 that happened yesterday! Second year I have completed the London Triathlon in the Olympic distance and it is always a good and well organised event! The atmosphere is great too, with crowds all the way on the run 🙂 it felt like a proper summer day too, but on the run there were plenty of aid stations to help you cool down.
Isis
TUFF FITTY’S LIDO AQUATHLON /BARBECUE – RACE 2
Tuff Fitty’s second summer Lido Aquathlon Barbecue, held on the Friday evening with another strong attendance. The evening started with a 400m swim split into two waves to enable swimmers to find some clear water. Once again there was some super times in the pool with eight swimmers exiting the water on 7 minutes or under with Amy Kidd taking top spot with a rapid 5:48. Kate Young and Tom Frith rounded out the quickest three.
We had two relay teams and those runners were poised with their trainers already on. There were impressive running times from everyone, particularly with the ‘undulation’ up past the Black Rabbit. Jon Cassell & Simon Thistlethwaite gained the quickest run splits (Relay-without transition) of 20:00 and 20:03 respectively. The solo racers had transition included in their run time. Kudos goes to Mark Walford and Cameron Coe returning in 20:24 and 20:42 respectively. Having both recorded swift swim times their runs were sufficient to see Mark finish 1st overall in 26:36 with Cameron 2nd and a powerful comeback from Henry Teague-Smith securing 3rd position. Katie Young was 4th overall and 1st female with Juliette Reader 2nd and Clare Worgan 3rd. Amy Kidd/Simon Thistlethwaite finished in 25:51 in the relay circa 50 seconds head of the Hazel Tuppen/Jon Cassell combo. Thanks to everyone who raced; jumped in for a more social swim later, or were there for the social/barbecue.
Thanks to Clive Harvey, Adrian and Jenny Oliver from the committee and Debbie Gatland but particularly Jenny & Adrian who did so much of the catering and cooking, yet still took crates of plates and cutlery home to wash!. Thanks to everyone who brought along salads and desserts – it was a great post event feast, with those in attendance reluctant to leave as the evening drew to a close. Full results under the Spond event, the extensive photo album below (click on the photo) together with Adrian’s video:-
Cheers 🙂
SUSSEX BEER MILE
Run by Danny & Jay our Tuff’s at Sussex Trail events with Chris, it was a disappointing to see just running clubs having enlisted, but as we are equally comfortable in liquid! it was pleasing that we were able to muster a full entrant; Fraser Kidd, and a relay team of Carey Woods, Charlotte Lattin-Rawstrone, Adrian Oliver & Simon Thistlethwaite. Adrian takes up the story:-
When Clive put out the call-to-arms to enter the Beer Mile race, I initially felt duty-bound to enter to ensure Tuffs were represented. Fraser was quick to sign up for the individual event/solo drinking. Carey was also keen, but, like myself, was apprehensive about entering the full-distance individual event. So we signed up a team – “Beer Tuffs”. Soon Simon was convinced to join, and with minimal persuasion, Charlotte joined the squad.
The event rules are:
* Run 4 laps of 400m
* Before starting a lap, you consume at least 330ml of beer of at least 5.0%
* For teams, each member has to consume 1 330ml beer, then run 400m before tagging to their next team member.
For the full rules – link HERE
If any beer re-appears before the end of the 4th lap, the competitor has to run one additional 400m (without needing consuming/re-consuming any further beer).
So, our pre-race challenge – find a suitable beer that is 5.0% and 330ml. A further requirement was to be as low gas/fizz as possible. A helpful Sainsbury’s assistant commended Asahi – exactly 5.0% 330ml beer in a bottle. Meanwhile, Charlotte sourced an alternative – cans of IPA. Following a deep technical discussion, our expert assessment was that the IPA would have lower gas than the Asahi, and the beer outflow from a can would have been more efficient.
Charlotte, with most “experience” with the rapid consumption of alcoholic beverages, was selected to lead out and demonstrate the correct technique:
* Open can
* Put can to mouth
* Raise can high above mouth
* Wait until can is empty (and mostly down throat…)
* Put can down on referee’s table
* RUN! (and not throw up!)
As it turned out, Carey and Adrian were average students scoring C+ and B- (Carey did score an A- in her run!). Simon was an exemplary student and even beat the teacher’s time by a full 4 seconds, scoring an A+! The Student became the Master!
Early feedback from Fraser, who drank solo (and ran) was to take the first 50m gently to allow the gas to escape before embarking on any vigorous gut-shaking. He should have mentioned that the 300m point would be equally challenging…
We are proud to report that no Tuff beer was lost!
Following our post-race analysis, we were glad we stayed away from the Asahi beer – we suspect that the Sainsbury’s assistant was an Arunner saboteur!
Safe to say that we all had a thoroughly great time – especially as there was only 330ml of actual effort. We also found that focusing on not getting a face full of bear does wonders with pre-race anxiety!
Video of the afternoon of drinking is here:
Following discussion with head coach Barry, Wednesday track training’s Yasso 800m sessions will be supplemented with Beer Mile sessions as we target the 2025 Beer Mile Sussex championships. This will be in addition to performing a comprehensive review of suitable beers.
Needless to say, Beer Tuffs will be back in 2025 – lets see how many Tuff teams we can field!
Adrian
TRENT 12KM SWIM
A swim in South Derbyshire, open to wetsuit and skin swimmers alike along the meandering River Trent. Susan Douglas who finds different swimming events was in attendance and reports:-
‘Last weekend I went “up north” to take part in the River Trent 12k swim. Not a race but an organised gathering of 60 swimmers.
Meeting at a local garden centre near the swim finish we were taken by coach to start area. The Trent is very fast flowing and as we entered the water it was hard to keep your footing.
We were split into 3 groups and soon were literally zooming down the meandering river and passing the iconic Willington Cooling Towers. The river is not only fast but so shallow in places you have to walk. Despite this I completed the 12k in 2hrs 18 mins, including a jelly baby stop. My watch recorded 1:12/100m!
Great fun swim.
Susan
ARDINGLY RESERVOIR SWIM
A further Saturday morning link up with our friends at Mid Sussex Tri Club, principally for a swim in Ardingly reservoir. Whilst the swim was the main draw, attendees could also turn it into an Aquathlon, which was timed by Paul Hedger. The majority of the Tuff thirteen elected to remain in the reservoir undertaking a longer swim, particularly with the lovely warm conditions. (Oh, or the need to get back for the beer mile!) We had two take part in the 1,200m swim 5k run with Colin Simpson finishing in 2nd position overall. Sue Simpson also raced this distance doing particularly well with her swim split. There was also a 1,800m swim and 7k option, and despite having raced the previous evening at our Lido Aquathlon Mark Walford was the overall winner over a minute clear, and Clare Worgan, who had also raced the previous night finished as 1st female. Our swimming Tuffs covering more laps included Adrian Oliver, Barry Davids, Charlotte Lattin-Rawstrone, Clive Harvey, Dominic Amey (who did his own run afterwards), Hazel Tuppen, Jenny Oliver, Les Pearce & Sophie Garbo. With hot drink, pastries and watermelon post swim, the hospitality was excellent, and we are grateful to Barry for organising another successful event.
Sheila and Kate
WAKEHURST WILLOW
Pleasing to highlight a race double from Kate Evans, first on Wednesday evening at Wakehurst Willow. The two-loop 8k long course is stated to be ‘challenging’ on tarmac, woodchip and rocky earth paths winds its way around the perimeter of the botanical gardens, under massive redwoods, stunning lakes and past the world-famous Millennium Seedbank. Kate reports on this and then on Saturday’s race at Maverick.
‘The Wakehurst Willow is an event I look forward to each year now, this is the third time I’ve done it and enjoyed it. It’s undlulating course and gorgeous views make it tough, but rewarding. Plus you get watermelon at the end!!! I ran with a friend so we just enjoyed it and then I had a sprint finish battle with Another runner at the finish line!
Kate
MAVERICKS EAST SUSSEX
Starting from the University of Sussex at Falmer Brighton, competitors had the choice of three routes – Long at 24k Middle and short. Sheila Bailey took on the Middle distance comprising 16km with 412m of ascent. Kate Evans continued to build on her medal haul by entering the 5km which contained 138m of ascent. Good work from them both with Kate reporting in:-
Following on from Wakehurst, the weekend saw Sheila and myself travelling to the Maverick East Sussex race. Sheila completed the very hilly 10mile race in an amazing time, whilst I chose the short option. There were still plenty of hills to contend with though! The finish was downhill too, which is rare for trail runs!! Lots of goodies at the finish line and a great medal!
Kate
PARKRUN ROUND UP
Worthing parkrun could not proceed this week because of activities on the prom and is also cancelled next weekend – 3rd August
Partly due to the warm weather and in part with Worthing not proceeding LIttlehampton parkrun smashed it’s attendance record to see 434 finishers on the prom. Included were Simon Grundy first Tuff home in a swift 19:58 and Steve Fryer completed the course with both Simon and Steve gaining an impressive 73% age grading. Bob Rogers was also notching up a fantastic age graded times of 76% – the morning’s sixth best grading. On the volunteer team were Chris Evans and Hope Newcomer. Next week 3rd August Littlehampton are holding a ‘pacer week’
At Bognor parkrun we had Alistair Evans running the four lapper around Hotham Park with Claire Luckham on the volunteer team.
Maidenhead parkrun saw Trevor Harvey gain a credit for pre-course set up and also for running the course.
Well done to all eight
