Blaenavon Triathlon 16 May 2010 

800m swim / 48km Bike / 10.4km Run 

Race Report by Alex Ilyat 

This was the second time I had taken part in this race. I don't remember it being as tough as it was, time is a great healer. Blaenavon has earned the reputation of being one of the toughest triathlons and deservedly so. It's a bit like doing a nice swim, followed by a cyclosportive and a fell run to finish.  

The event is now in it's 27th year and the number of entries has increased from 30odd to around 90 and there was a long reserve list so if you are a glutton for punishment you'll have to get in quick. The swim was very civilised, 800m with a very helpful lady to draft off (all races should have one!)  

The bike is very scenic, the first 20km is in woodland and the rest on heath and some main roads. Most of the roads were rutted and pot-holed. A mountain bike would have been better. There are also some cattle grids which you could actually use to sieve cows. I had borrowed Ian's shiny wheels- no way was I bending mine! Unfortunately he has a smaller cassette and I was lacking in gears especially on the 20%+ bits. Everyone taking part was really friendly and was quite happy to chat away on the climbs, drafting would be impossible anyway. The first 18k is pretty much all up hill and starts at 7m reaching a the top at 512m. You can have a look at the info from my garmin here:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/33510296

The second climb is called "The British" is not as long but is very steep. I'm glad its over.

The start of the run is great, most of it along a nice flat tow path for 5km then its up hill to the watchtower. The stules are the funniest bit - by now everyone's legs are threatening to tighten tp the size of a gnat's hamstring and climbing over a gate is all they need to bite. The final decent back to the leisure centre is a rapid fall through fields of bluebells - a bit like the sound of music in lycra.

All in all a fantastic race. I'll have forgotten the worst bits by next year and ready to make it round again. Hopefully with some other Pembs Tri mentalists to help.

Thanks to Ian for coming along and watching, and for driving me homes as I was a dribbling wreck.

Times:

Pos overall	Swim	Bike	Run	Total
25th	15:50 (15/72)	2.04.09(28th)	1.00.00(28th)	3.19.59