Clumber Park - Off Road Results

Clumber Park played host to the first of three events in the Midlands Off Road Series. With over 200 athletes toeing the start line for the off road duathlon on a sunny Saturday morning it seemed that the race could be anyones. A couple of late entries from Paul Davies -a previous winner from last years series and Fay Cripps – National Mountain Champion certainly added some spice to the pre event entries.

On the first run, Nick Baker took an early lead with Paul Davies just a few seconds back – finishing the first 5km just a few seconds under 18 mins – a very impressive time if you consider some of the mixed terrain the route had taken. Onto the bike course, both the early run leaders jumped onto mountain bikes – an interesting move with a mainly flat and firm course with just a few water logged sections. A change in lead, saw a local team start the two lap route until team rider Mansfield Road Club - Andy Llewellyn took a tumble to be overtaken and never regain the lead. Scott O’Neil, starting the 18km course in 9^th place was soon ripping through the field – literally…on his speedy cross bike, which as it happens was definitely the quickest machine for the day. By the end of bike section, Ben Eedy had caught up the 2 min he gave away on the first run to return back to transition leading overall followed just a few seconds behind by Scott O’Neil. Onto the simple out & back second run, it looked like Ben Eedy had given it all on the bike and slowed quickly on the run. Leaving the door open for Scott O’Neil to take a simple overall win…from a very quickly closing Nick Baker.

Even though Andy Llewellyn, riding for team NOC – Mansfield Road Club, took an early tumble, they easily won the team competition, as well as the overall honours, as fastest athletes of the day.

In the women’s event, Fay Cripps lead from start to finish, dominating the women’s field and winning by nearly 5 minutes from Kirtsy Vogan & ex Olympic cyclist Sara Symington.

The next event takes place on Saturday 8 November at Sherwood Pines, north Nottinghamshire.

Click here for provisional results from the OFF ROAD DUATHLON and 10K TRAIL RUN click the titles