Castle Howard Duathlon, 22 Jul 2023

This was my third time taking part in the Castle Race Series Sprint Duathlon at Castle Howard. I used to live in the area so it’s nice to go back and I usually have a lot of support from friends on the course. As the race is held in July, it is usually sunny and boiling hot, however, this year, rain was forecast. I was concerned leading up to the race as I didn’t want to end up slipping over on the run or crashing my bike due to the conditions.

The run started on grass and went downhill before joining a woodland track and then heading up a grassy hill to a monument, the course then flattened out before going up another steep hill and then down a steep grassy, uneven hill (where I was most concerned about falling). There were two laps of this course before the transition. I was overtaken by another lady just before transition and then as she was mounting her bike, she had a problem with her chain and I managed to get past her. However, not far into the bike course, she overtook me again.

The bike course was hilly and very wet, with lots of standing water on the roads. I was worried about my bike in the rain, especially when I saw that one of the men had come off his bike on one of the corners and needed medical assistance. I decided to take it steady and my priority was to make it round in one piece!

The second transition went fine, I managed to dismount without falling so that was an improvement from the last duathlon! I racked my bike and headed off for the second run (with very wet shoes).

The second run was another lap of the course used for the first run so I knew it was going to be hilly again, I couldn’t see any other women in front or behind me and as I knew only two had overtaken me earlier, I was just concerned about maintaining my position. Every time I turned a corner, I had a quick look behind me and couldn’t see anyone gaining on me. I took it steady down the last steep hill and then made sure I had enough for a sprint finish in front of my supporters.

I was really pleased to make it home as third lady overall, earning me a spot on the podium for the first time at this event!

Sarah Hunter