Steels and Fell are winners at the national championships

There were two local winners at the National Duathlon Championships held in Windsor on Sunday.
Claire Steels.Claire Steels.
Claire Steels.

Peterborough Triathlon Club (PACTRAC) veteran Jim Fell and Bourne-based Claire Steels were both victorious in their age groups for the fourth duathlon on the trot.

The distances were run 6.25 miles, bike 25 miles and run three miles and Steels finished in 2:13:16 to win the female 30-34 age group and take the bronze medal overall.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fell clocked 2:48:31 to win the 70-74 age group by a commanding nine minutes. He was 371st overall.

Steels said: “Gold in my age group at the British Championships and third lady overall! I’m delighted with that.

“Now I think it’s time for a rest before the European Championships in Germany in two weeks time.

“It was an interesting race - certainly my toughest race to date with lots of mud and cross-country. But at least we got a break when they stopped the race for royalty going to Windsor Castle!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was great to see so many familiar faces though and well done everyone. Germany here we come!”

PACTRAC’s Sean Beard was also in action and finished seventh in the 50-54 age group in his first duathlon of the year on his comeback from injury. He was 116th overall in 2:18:51.

PACTRAC member Amy Hayes competed in her second marathon in four months at the weekend when taking part in the Paris race with husband Brad.

Following on from her exertions in Hawaii in December when she clocked 3:57, she smashed her personal best (PB) by 10 minutes with a finishing time of 3:47:27.

Hubby Brad clocked 5:05:33.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Amy said: “I stuck comfortably with the 3:30 pace until mile 13 where I got a nearly full water bottle chucked in my face. It cracked my cheek bone pretty hard.

“Now it’s croissants, pastries, macarons. I’ve got some calories to replace.”

The entry deadline for the PACTRAC Peterborough Duathlon which takes place on Sunday April 17 from Castor, is next Monday (April 11).

Over 80 athletes have so far entered and organisers expect a field of 100, many of whom will be competing in multi-discipline sport for the first time.

Entries are still open on http://pactrac.co.uk/events/4181/

Related topics: