A larger than usual entry this year, probably a record; and, for the first time, including a relay team.
From the left - Liz, John K, Ed, Paul, Mary, Izzy, Martyn, John S and Bob. John S and Bob are my brothers and formed the relay team. John did all the running and Bob swam and cycled.
The morning was bright and a bit chilly.
We set off remarkably close to the planned start time, with Bob driving close to the swim site, having been banned from running, due to a new hip. Mary had probably been banned from running, having two new knees!
I very soon assumed my rightful position - way behind everyone else - which made it a bit difficult to put a comprehensive report together, but here goes:-
Martyn seems to have been first out of the water and started back to the main transition just 37 minutes after the gun. Then it was Paul, Izzy and Mary. However, Mary had lost sight of John and lost time peering into the distance for him, and then, with great relief, dragged him out of the water as he completed his return swim!
Then I think it was Liz, followed by (no wetsuit) Bob. Arriving res-side as most of the field was emerging from the water, I was already beginning to lose heart, and then, stripped for action I got both feet wet and, I'm ashamed to say, decided that enough was enough and awarded myself the white feather!
I saw nothing after that, but Martyn's bike time of just over 44 minutes was probably the fastest of the day.
I've received lots of photos, too many to use in fact, so apologies if I haven't included your best one/s. Most are from the finish, but here's Paul, in full flight,
John K soon after leaving Winter Hill Trig:-
John reports that the water temperature was 11 degrees, which according to BTA regs requires the wearing of wet suits, and is on the very margin of allowing the swim to take place at all!
And here's Paul (in best selfie mode) with the other two podium occupants - well done to all three, in fact to everybody, except me.
All the ladies seem to have enjoyed the event, or perhaps just enjoyed finishing:-
And Mary, preparing for for a Riverdance audition!
We don't seem to have any piccies of the relay team, but this seems to be John S wondering where his cyclist has got to:-
Final times, as submitted:-
Martyn - 2:35
Paul - 2:45
Izzy - 2:52
Liz - 3:09
Mary - 3:12 (ish)
John K - 3:14
John S & Bob - 3:36
Ed - DNF
Well done everyone, and thank you for your support.
Just for completeness, the distant hill in the midst of the wind turbines was (and I suppose still is) Knowl Hill:- http://www.racemaps.org.uk/RTDEDay3.htm
