edinburgh rc cycling club

posted: 27 Jun 2009

Read Peter Ness's report of the 2009 Volcano Triathlon in Lanzarote

Why the Volcano Triathlon? It’s an international triathlon with all the trimmings of a world age group tri event including elite world champions and blue sky! Then there’s the location, Club La Santa in Lanzarote is made for triathlon. Anyway for whatever reason, Kirsten and I found ourselves signing up for the 25th Volcano Triathlon.
Right – not sure you guys are interested in what we had for breakfast so lets move quickly through the race. It was a sound sea swim within a safe and shallow lagoon. All 400 plus competitors were on the start line including the elites in a mass start.
Out of the water after a good swim and onto a steep jog up a red carpet towards the running track and transition zone. A long transition decorated in international flags and sponsorship banners. The bike then took on 2 x 20km laps of hard cycling. Lanzarote is either hard uphill or downhill into a head wind there is no escape. This was a new bike course this year from Club La Santa to Famara and back which meant you could see the competition ahead or behind you as you took on each lap. Great for seeing your position in the race, but perhaps not so good when you see how far ahead the lead car and Mr Van Lierde is already, on your 1st lap (I thought I was racing well at this point!). Not to mention the distinctive pink top and white socks of Mrs Bayliss leading the ladies and most of the men!
Surviving a solid bike leg and feeling the approaching midday sun it was run time. 2 laps starting round the race running track before circumnavigating the La Santa complex and lagoon. Time again to see the race leaders running in the opposite direction.
A proper triathlon finish round the track and through the finish gantry and immediately receiving a ‘well done’ and a medal from the race organiser – nice touch.
Within minutes you were presented with a champion chip print out with individual times. Comparing times with Scott Neyedli its always encouraging having a better T2 time but perhaps we won’t mention the rest! (Ok so he did say he put on socks during T2 to preserve his feet for the Ironman in a couple of week’s time so would have been faster – harsh!).
Sun still shining we were offered a free massage and a chance to lie in the sun listening to music and cheers while others were still finishing. Looking for more excuses to book a flight to Lanzarote next year then consider the 50 Euro entry fee as very good value for money. A top all you can eat pasta party the night before. Goodie bag in the form of swim/run bag; water bottle and t- shirt. In addition a finishers medal; free massage and an endless supply of post race drink and fruit before a post race party with live band and of course there is a chance to race alongside an international field including many elites!
Kenneth the race organiser took control of the event with his presence throughout from race brief and start line to presenting every racer and hosting the post race party. At the prize giving he called out the top 10 male and female winners and the winner of each 5year age group. Scott Neyedli just taking a 10th slot to have a Scot on parade. 1st in the ladies was Bella Bayliss and second male Stephen Bayliss. The man who apparently sleeps in an oxygen tent took a clear victory, Luc van Lierde. As well as being the first European to win Ironman Hawaii and in the fastest time 8.04.08 he also holds the fastest Ironman distance record ever at 7.50.27 in Roth, so completing the volcano tri OD in 1.57.34 wasn’t too shabby either. As well as individual mentions at the prize giving for certain performances all newbies were asked to stand and applause was also given to those who had returned for 2, 3years and so on up to 19 consecutive appearances in the event. Whilst there is no huge desire to take on the winds of the Ironman Lanzarote course I would definitely sign up again for the Volcano triathlon and recommend to all for some great pre season training and a race to remember. So how did we do? Results and race information can be found on http://www.clublasanta.com/Volcano_Triathlon-7788.aspx

 

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