DAVE HOLMES overcame some technical problems and cramp to finish a very creditable 11th in his age group in the National Middle Distance Triathlon Championships. Held at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, the event comprised a 2km swim, 85km ride and a 20km run.

The course was far from easy, with an undulating and technical bike course followed by a three-lap hilly run. It was certainly a race for the most hardened middle-distance triathletes.

The warm, inland two-lap swim route suited Holmes and although visibility was very poor, he came into transition one in 13th place out of 256 starters in 27min. 32sec.

After a fairly long transition, the bike course led out into the Leicestershire countryside for three laps.

A long drag into the wind followed by a substantial climb made for a testing route followed by a long drag towards transition with another sharp climb to complete the lap.

‘The poor road surfaces caused a couple of the bolts holding the cleat onto my shoe to come loose on the second lap, making the climbs particularly difficult,’ said Holmes.

‘I also started cramping in both legs, meaning I had to take it easier than I would have otherwise liked.’

As he came into transition two, Holmes’ bike split of 2-44-14 reflected the problems suffered on the ride.

The half-marathon run was entirely within the grounds of Belvoir Castle, taking in a mile-long climb to the castle itself before heading towards the flat to complete the loop.

‘The first lap-and-a-half went fine. However, the cramp returned in both legs and I went through a really tough phase, losing about 18 minutes against my target pace in only four miles.’

After taking on fuel and water and doing a lot of stretching, he was back up to speed again and finished strongly with a split time of 1-41-57.

Holmes clocked 4-53-43 for the whole event, placing him 41st overall and 11th in the 25-29 age group.