21st Sept races

Well either the boys and girls mostly behaved themselves at the weekend or news of this blog has spread amongst them like wildfire and they're all keeping quiet to make sure all the weekends little secrets are kept to themselves.
First up we'll have the Doone Run, a hilly little beggar of a course around the Coastal Paths of Lynton, Lynmouth and The Valley of the Rocks. Chris Stone was competing in the 10mile event and after a sedate start he managed to pull his socks up a bit and finished a fine 14th position overall although he was still beaten by a giiiiirl, so we're allowed to give him grief about it :)
In the short race John Bronze was competing alongside his wife Gillian. Together they finished 6th & 7th and John did the honourable thing when he let Gillian beat him by 1 second to cross the line in 43:58. Rumour has it though that if Gillian hadn't done 'the honourable thing' she'd have been back and changed before John hit the finish. I of course dispute all rumours.
Down on the Cornish coast 3 hardcore members were taking on the Perranporth Surf Triathlon. It was always going to be a close battle between the Trio and although Dick Congdon won the club battle to cross the line ahead of both Lee Shepherd and Scott Pirie it was Lee who took the club honours as Dick once again picked up his traditional penalty, this time 2mins for mutilating his number (I'm scared to ask!).
Across country in Somerset the 3rd of the weekends races was taking place as 12 club members took part in the ever popular Langport Sprint Tri with 3 of them finishing inside the top 10. Alan Ward took club honours finishing in 3rd place with Tim 'sicknote' Reed posting a blistering run split to finish an impressive 4th just 40seconds behind. Phill Miles rounded out the top finishers with a 9th place finish, impressive racing by the quick boys.
Further down the field Steve White turned on the run speed to climb through the field and finish in 84th place, during that run he passed the ever improving (especially in the pool) Steve Ditchburn who came in 106th. Richard Squire was next home in 166th place, no doubt hampered by his meeting the tarmac on the cycle course after crashing into the back of another bike (oh dear!!!). The ever present Nigel Cox was next home in 209th, he keeps entering the same races as someone quicker who shares his name in the hope that we'll get confused and post the faster time - we don't though ;-). Paul Bitmead was the final club member home who's improved to the point that no longer can he come to us for the sympathy vote because he's finished last. He's kicking some butt at every race now, it must be all that night time running over Braunton Burrows that he's been doing. Amazing how fast he can go when there's a military man with a rifle behind him.
In the womens race the first home for the club in an impressive 66th place was Helen Banbury who was racing her first 'proper' Triathlon, just watch this girl go when she works out what she's doing. Next home was Sue White in 127th place while behind her Marilyn Joy and Sally Pope were having the days closest battle with Marilyn taking the honours this time by a mere 27 seconds.

Well that's about it for this week I'm afraid. No real tales of embarrassment and shame, no pictures either I'm afraid.

This weekends big club event is the Bodmin Sprint Tri. Good Luck to all that are racing. There is also the Taunton 10k and Simon Edney will be wearing his GB colours with pride at the World Duathlon Championships in Rimini, Italy. Go Get Em Simon!!!!