RESULTS ARCHIVE

05/06/10 - Assynt Triathlon Relay Race

After an eleventh hour scramble to raise a team we finally managed to put together a group of 'misfits' for this friendly, little event in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland.

The team members given the task of upholding the ever increasing good name of NHH were:-

• Roz Macleod - Road Runner
• Hamper Macleod - Road Runner
• Peter Fenwick - Road Runner x 2
• Alan (Coby) Cockburn - Cyclist
• Mark Cleminson - Kayaker
• Colin Earnshaw - Hill Runner

The event consists of a 21 mile road run on a very hilly (especially the first section (Roz)!) minor road south of Lochinver, a gruelling 15 mile cycle up to Ardvreck Castle, 5 miles of kayaking over the waters of Loch Assynt and 7½ miles over the hills and trails down into Lochinver.

Seven teams were taking part this year so competition looked stiff but the team were up for it, especially Coby who was delighted to be back in the 'saddle' after breaking his leg six months ago at the John O'Groats trail run.

The weather was hot, hot, hot with clear skies and little chance of rain - is it not always like that on the West coast?

Roz was first off; with encouragement from team members at the start line she had an easy uphill section to begin with! She stuck to her task well and made up a few places near the handover area.

Hamper took over and put in an excellent shift to move us into third position.

Because I knew the hill section wouldn't start to about half three I went back to the campsite and lay on the beach for the next 4 hours - I supported the team in my mind!

Hamper handed over to Pete who did two road sections (he's training for an ironman event so this was easy?) and after much sweating he pulled us up to second place and handed over to Coby before sitting in a burn to cool down.

Coby was raring to go and blasted off on his bike with the smell of competition in his nostrils for the first time since November. He managed to comfortably maintain our second place and collapsed over the line with, what I would imagine was a very satisfied feeling.

The kayak section was a mass start at the east end of Loch Assynt by the shores of the Ardvreck Castle. Mark was the only member of the team that has been organised for weeks - thanks to Robbie Scott for putting the message out to the kayak club in the first instance.

There were some serious looking kayakers with there own razor (they go faster through the water so I'm told!) kayaks to paddle. There was a slight head wind coming down the loch but Mark had a composed paddle stroke which he held well for the final handover.

The team had converged on the last handover point to discuss placings/times etc. The road runners had 'worked out' that we would have approx 15mins over our nearest competitors for second place. Their kayaker came in and handed over; we started the clock and watched Mark come in approx 12mins behind - very close now!

I started the section by running through the trees onto the road instead of taking the easy option and going up a well worn path. We had been warned that after the thunderstorm on Friday night the hills would be very wet and they didn't disappoint - every foot strike was squelchy to put it technically.

Over the hills and onto a stony track for the long slog back to Lochinver.

By this stage every burn was getting used as a water station as the heat was taking its toll on a runner used to wind, rain, snow and sleet.

Past Glencansip Lodge and back onto tarmac again into Lochinver and the finish line.

Much discussion on whether we had held onto second but all was revealed with the results - Loch Broom first, NHH second and still twelve minutes ahead of third.

The team were delighted and proud of their day's hard work in the west coast sunshine.

Next year - the only way is up!!

Photos:-