Grand Prix series race 1 - Firefighters 2UP duathlon, By MPB

Anyone else think about turning off their alarm with the overnight breeze? Weather report, very warm but very windy.

But what a great sight greeted us at registration with hundreds of athletes turning up to race. The RTC contingent comprised 8 strong teams and they smashed it!

Rochdale Tri reserves (Paul Timms and Ian Wilson) were back to defend their V40 category and they didn’t disappoint, regaining the title they took last year and in the process finishing 7th Overall.

But not to be outdone Team NatTan (Nat Williams and Tanya Vengrinova) improved from their 7th position last year to take the 3rd female team prize. Although they were more interested in their post race coffee to make the presentation.

Cops and Rogers returned after a disappointing effort by ½ the team last time out. But 2 good runs and a decent bike saw them finish a few seconds behind NatTan.

The Rochdale flyers (Angus and Stephen Leak) had a somewhat interesting race. They looked strong on the bike but then came home off the second run making full use of the 20m distance between partners after a mechanical issue for Stephen.

Big John and the Tepid Rocket (John Gore and Carl Holdaway) were full of smiles at the end, their pre race pep talk was for a 3 hour finish time. They managed 3hrs and 46 seconds so they must be happy with that.

Team Cop a Feel was a mixed team. Well done for Aggy getting my mate martin racing for the first time since 2016, next job get him signed up for RTC. But I’m still disappointed you didn’t make him wear a tutu. They were all smiling at the finish and Aggy even more so when she saw cheesy chips on the menu at the burger van.

Carpet Champions (Mark Reynolds and Alan Herilhy) had a good race against Team big John finishing just over a minute ahead and tipping just under the 3 hours.

And not to be out done, Team J and C strike again! (Julia Moore and Caroline Hadfield) looked like they were out for an afternoon jog as they cruised down the finish hill and up the finish straight with some big smiles. Great team effort after Caroline flying solo last year and Julia survived Anglezarke.

If you’ve never done it, it’s a fantastic race. 1 mile straight uphill from the off, an undulating bike ride taking in sheephouse lane and Anglezarke climbs and then back to the killer hill for a second time. Its grim when your racing but everyone always signs up for the following year?

Some great support around the course from RTC contingent, old and new. Anthony Rogers taking time out from his recovery after his epic effort yesterday to greet us all at the finish.

Good work RTC.