Date: 6 June 2010

Location:  Emberton Country Park, Buckinghamshire

Format: 750m swim / 20km bike / 5km run

Organiser: Big Cow

Website: www.big-cow.com

Last week we reported on the National Sprint Triathlon championships. Swimming, cycling and running alongside (and in fact totally integrated into the event) was the Oxford versus Cambridge Varsity Triathlon challenge. Matt Jones of Cambridge University Triathlon Club sent us in this report.

Reigning varsity triathlon champions, Oxford, had their cage rattled early this year when Cambridge won the varsity wave at the Big Cow Duathlon. In fact, Cambridge’s convincing victory included winning both the first team and mob match categories for both the men and the women. Could Cambridge repeat this success over three disciplines?

The preseason duathlon success for was a sure sign of intent from the Cantabs, backed up with some promising early season form in the shape of a smashed half-marathon personal best from club secretary Andy Collier in the Cambridge Boundary Run and a top twenty finish in British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) sprint triathlon for varsity duathlon 2010 winner Alex Young.

The Cambridge team prepared for their 750m lake swim at Jesus Green Outdoor Pool, one of the longest lidos in Europe (100yards). In addition local time trials have served to keep their saddles warm: namely the Cambridge City Cycling Club 10mile Time Trial on Thursday nights.

This hard work came to fruition when Cambridge again secured wins in all four categories (men’s and women’s first team, and men’s and women’s mob match). Podium places went to Alex Young (Cambridge), Jamie Brunning (Cambridge) and Lee Harper (Oxford) in the men’s race and Polly Keen (Cambridge), Lowri Richards (Cambridge), and Rachel Hall (Oxford) in the women’s race. As well as winning the varsity wave, Alex Young took third overall in the competition in 59 minutes 49 seconds.

The mob match is an exciting format in which every competitor has the opportunity to score points. Quite simply the final positions of each team are totted up, the lowest score being the winner. (If the teams have unequal numbers, then the size of the smallest team determines how many of the larger team qualify for the mob match score).

Club Captain Aidan Reilly was overjoyed but exhausted managing to say only “We won!” when we interviewed him on the phone shortly after the race. Novice Captain Lowri Richards told us the race was quite bizarre in that the Cambridge team were up by 5am for a 7am start, and that by 9am it was all over. The varsity teams took advantage of the early finish to spend the rest of the day celebrating. The majority retired to Oxford for dinner, an after party, and a well-earned rest.

The full Cambridge Team results are now available on the CUTriC website, which also details information on the club’s training, upcoming races and videos and pictures from recent races.

Oxford University Triathlon Club details and club results can be found at www.outric.co.uk and full results of the big cow sprint triathlon championships are posted at: www.big-cow.com/public/results.aspx?raceid=956

The Victorious Cambridge University Triathlon Club after winning all four categories in Varsity Triathlon 2010

Related posts:

1. Race report: Little Beaver – Big Triathlon Challenge The Little Beaver World Championship qualifying race proved testing for...
2. Race report: The Little Beaver 2010 Triathlon dishes out another tough challenge Date: 29 May 2010 Location: Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, Leicestershire, UK...
3. Race report: Dambuster Triathlon 2010 Andy Collier (pictured) of Cambridge University Triathlon Club sent us...
4. Race Report: Udo’s Choice Driffield Triathlon Date: 16 May 2009 Location: Driffield Sports Centre, Yorkshire, UK...
5. Race report: Grendon Sprint Triathlon 2010 Date: 9 May 2009 Location: Grendon Lakes, Northamptonshire, UK Format:...