Guernsy European Police and Emergency Service Triathlon

What a way to spend a weekend away from the family. I originally intended to go as part of a suffolk Police team, but my two team mates pulled out leaving me to travel alone to Guernsey. So I booked up and borrowed a bike bag from 53-12 to fly from Gatwick arriving on Friday 17th Sept. After a short run to get the journey out of my legs it was soon time for bed.

Saturday was race registration on a really windy day. The organizers were already thinking of canceling the swim as it was so rough. So I met up with one of my fellow coppers from Manchester for a ride round the course. 21 miles later and a couple of wrong turns and we were back. Guernsey is a hilly island with one climb of about a mile including a 1:7 stretch and another long low hill of about 3 1/2 miles which is a bit difficult to train for in east anglia. SoIt was then a bit of a restful day before the Race in the morning.

The Swim started at 0820 and had kicked up into a really rough swell, making it a bit like Lowestoft on most Tuesdays this summer. I dragged myself out of the swim and started my catch up on the bike. An hour and a quater and 25.9 miles later it was the run and the prospect of three laps including a steep hill on each lap. It was very depressing to hear the winner being called through at the end of my first lap. Still I continued to catch other racers and eventually came in in 2hrs 38mins and 95th place out of 200 for the hardest Tri of my 5 year career.

A superb race well organised. If i ever go again I just hope it is on a calm day as I swear every turn took you into the wind.

Pictures

Jim Keeble

Page created: 2004. Last updated: 2004.