The Meadowfield Duathlon, the annual curtain-raiser to the north-east multisport season was held on Sunday 16th April in warm sunshine and strong winds, identical weather to last year. This is always a good event for seasoned duathletes and triathletes to find out just how effective their winter’s training has been and judging by the performances of the leaders we may be reaching for a few superlatives this year.

The first run, a 3 mile, 3 lap cross-country course started at a furious pace and as usual the run specialists dominated, Brian Bewick and Ian Handyside finishing within a second of each other at 17.30 and 17.31 respectively. John Bent was only 3 seconds behind with a further 20 seconds to the rest of the field.

Left - Donna James

In the ladies race veteran Donna James, fresh from a training camp in Sardinia dominated the field with 20th place overall in 19.37, 14 places and 1.13 ahead of 2nd lady Kim Threadgall who was making the trip down from Edinburgh for the race.

Once out onto the bike course, Tony Dixon who was in 6th place after the 1st run, took control of the race and dominated the event from then on. Tony was 4th overall last year and also put in the fourth fastest bike ride of 44.09. This year he demonstrated his improved fitness with the fastest bike split of 42.27, with time-trial specialist Chris Little a further 2.27 behind in second place. Donna James was increasing her lead all the time with the fastest ladies bike split of 48.54 with another lady vet Helen Connally making up places with the next-best time of 54.10.

Out onto the second run with a commanding lead Dixon wasn’t about to take it easy and posted the fastest second run of 18.10 to come home the winner by 2.05 in a final time of 1.19.43. Loughborough student Philip Jameson improved with each discipline and finished with the second-fastest run of 18.20 to take second place, 25 seconds ahead of John Bent who set a consistent pace throughout to finish third, as he did a year ago.

Right - Tony Dixon

Donna James continued her domination of the ladies event to record the fastest times in each of the three legs. However, Kim Threadgall didn’t come down from Scotland just to make the numbers up and her second run was only 5 seconds slower than Donna’s which ensured her of second place overall.

Worthy of special mention were the performances of Paul Utterson, making a welcome return to the racing scene after a three-year break, who finished in 6th place overall and evergreen Barry Jameson who won the over-50’s age group in a magnificent 7th place overall.

Unfortunately road works, which were supposed to have been completed, meant that on the cycle leg competitors had to negotiate traffic lights half way around the course. Marshalls at that point ensured that any stoppages were timed and taken off the final time but of course this meant that the final finishing order had to be adjusted in some cases. Not an ideal way to hold an event. Thankyou Durham County Council.

Photographs of all competitors can be viewed and freely dowloaded at:-

Leading Results

1st Overall Man – Tony Dixon
1st Overall Lady – Donna James

Senior Men
1 Tony Dixon … hartlepooltriathletes.com … 17.58 … 42.27 … 18.10 … 1.19.43
2 Philip Jameson … Loughboro’ Students … 18.02 … 45.26 … 18.20 … 1.21.48
3 John Bent …Tyne Tri Club ……...…………..17.34 … 45.50 … 18.53 … 1.22.17

Senior ladies
1 Kim Threadgall … Edinburgh Road Club … 20.55 … 55.39 … 21.24 … 1.38.38
2 Caroline Findlay … Alnwick Tri Club ……….23.04 … 55.33 … 23.39 … 1.42.25
3 Louise Davies … Unattached ……………….25.58 … 64.17 … 27.18 … 1.58.46

Veteran Men (M40)
1 Andy Hardy … hartlepooltriathletes.com …..17.59 … 44.56 … 19.16 … 1.22.42
2 Paul Utterson … Unattached ………………..18.01 … 45.21 … 21.00 … 1.24.22
3 Ian Handyside … Alnwick Tri Club ………….17.31 … 48.34 … 19.11 … 1.25.16

Veteran Ladies (F40)
1 Donna James … Durham Tri Club …………..19.37 … 48.54 … 21.19 … 1.29.50
2 Helen Connally … Unattached ……………….21.36 … 54.10 … 22.32 … 1.39.09
3 Jenny Holland … Unattached ……………… 23.23 … 55.36 … 24.40 … 1.44.03

Veteran Men (M50)
1 Barry Jameson … Unattached ……………….18.39 … 46.29 … 19.15 … 1.24.39

Full results are now available here:-.