Mark: Like many of you out there we have been chomping at the bit to watch some actual triathlon
racing and maybe even toe the line ourselves. When we got wind that a small race in the
UK called the Helvellyn Triathlon was taking place, we just had to get ourselves an entry.
Heather and myself excitedly got ourselves to the Lake District to take part in this
unusual event. Due to the PTO's support, it has attracted a whole bunch of pros too including
the likes of Alistair Brownlee and Joe Skipper. Let's do this.
[background noise] [music]
Elliot Smales: To get back racing is a weird one this year. Everyone has been, "When is
it going to happen?" We've waited longer and longer and longer. You got to the point where
you were almost sucking this year off and being like, "It's not going to happen at all."
It's quite nice even just to do a local event like this, for me, it's only two hours here.
It's just nice to be back out. There's going to be no pressure, I don't think, at the weekend,
everyone's just going to be super excited to be racing again.
Ruth Astle: It's been a really long time. I'm not sure I really know what I'm doing
[laughs]. Really, really exciting to actually have a start line and have a triathlon to
be racing and against a really strong field. I'm really excited.
Mark: This course is certainly a little different to your normal run-of-the-mill triathlon.
The swim is a two-lap, 1500-meter loop within the typically cold waters of Ullswater before
exiting onto the shores of Glenridding village. [music]
It's the bike where you begin to realize that this race really is a bit different. It's
just shy of 60 kilometers but with the total elevation gain of over 1,000 meters. Approximately,
44 kilometers into the ride from the village of Ambleside, you'll start the infamous struggle
taking in a whopping 400 meters of elevation within just 4.8 kilometers.
That means gradients of 20% in places. Many athletes wishing they come with some easier
gears. The course then rolls back down for the final 10 kilometers towards Glenridding
for the next adventure, the run. [music]
As the weather closed in and we worked our way around the course, it became apparent
that the rumors were in fact true about this bike route. It really is tough. As Alistair
Brownlee led the field and danced his way up the struggle, many of us did literally
struggle, but, boy, was it good to be back racing.
[music] [applause]
Elliot: The bike is actually ridiculously fast for the amount of climbing it's got in
it, which I think a lot of people underestimate. They'll be expecting too much of the climb
and they'll be putting too many eggs in that basket.
The run is far harder than most people think it's going to be. It's not a run. We're going
for a big walk really and a bit of a throw yourself down a hill at the end of the mountain
at the end of it and who gets to the bottom first.
Will Clarke: The run is like nothing anyone's done really. It's barely running for most
of it. I can imagine, it's mostly scrambling. It's going to be interesting to see how people
will get along. [music]
Mark: They're right. The run section is nothing to be scoffed at. A little over 14 kilometers
but straight up and down Helvellyn Mountain. Just when you thought you'd seen it all, around
five kilometers in, you'd hit the craggy swirl edge requiring mild bouldering or rock climbing
skills as you navigate to the highest point of the course, taking in over 900 meters of
elevation. And then it's a fast descent back down on technical and loose terrain back to
the village of Glenridding. [music]
We've been fortunate to run and race in some pretty epic locations, but this was quite
something. This took everyone out of their comfort zones but over a truly remarkable
terrain. It was a battle to get to the top. The downhill was just as hard. I have to say
this was still one of the most enjoyable races I have ever done.
[music] Operator: That's my Mark. How was it?
Mark: This guy chased me down. [applause]
Nice race. Well, what a race. Heather and myself had a fantastic time. Judging by everyone
else's smiles as did they. A huge thanks to TriHard Events for putting on this great race
and to the huge support from the PTO. We hope you too can get on the start line
soon. [00:08:24] [END OF AUDIO]