• A A A
    • Skip To Content

    Virgin London Triathlon 2012

    Three Blind Veterans UK members undertook the challenge of the London Triathlon on a cold, wet, windy September day.

    Charlie Eastwood, David Cranson and Sue Eyles all entered the murky waters of the Royal Victoria Dock for the 1500m swim.  With the rain pelting down they set off just after 12pm.  Charlie, guided by Mark Green, was the first out of the water in 48:35 and a quick T1 saw him off on the 36km tandem ride comprising two laps from Excel to Tower Bridge and back.  He was followed out of the water by Sue and her guide Nikki Green (Llandudno S&R instructor) in a time of 1.09:58 and then David (accompanied by Steve Mills, Brighton S&R instructor) in a time of 1.15:22.

    The bike ride was complicated by a fierce headwind on the return section.  The weather conditions meant that punctures and crashes were happening all over the course.  Thankfully our riders emerged unscathed.  Charlie was first into T2 after 1.21:20 on the bike.  Sue was next in a time of 1.28:40 however a quicker ride from David (1.25:37) meant he overtook Sue while they were both in transition and they exited the main hall about 30 seconds apart as they set off on the run.

    A crowded run route coupled with a course comprising lots of tight twists and turns made it hard to get into a rhythm but that didn’t deter our triathletes.  A swift run time of 1.06:14 brought Charlie home in an overall time of 3.32:27.  David was next in with a run of 1.12:25 giving him an overall time of 4.07:18.  He had managed to increase the gap over Sue who came home in an overall time of 4.32:53 after a 1.35:39 run.

    Each of our members enjoyed the race despite the weather conditions and after this year’s Olympics-related delay, hopefully 2013 will see a return to the sun-drenched late-July conditions we have been used to.

    The team at Excel (from L-R): Sue Eyles, Nikki Green, Mark Green, Andrew Seivewright, Charlie Eastwood, David Cranson, Steve Mills

    Virgin London Marathon 2012

     

    From L-R: Andrew Jensen, Alan Lock, Iain Millard, Nikki Green, Andrew Seivewright

    This year’s event saw three members taking part for Blind Veterans UK.  Iain Millard was taking part in his 12th consecutive marathon and there was a return to London for Alan Lock following his last run in 2009.  New to the team this year was Rob Long taking part in his first attempt at the distance.

    With the weather forecast not looking good for the morning of the event it was a surprise when the threatened showers stayed away for the majority of the day.  In fact the runners were basked in glorious sunshine for the most of the route.  With expectations high amongst the runners for a good performance, Alan’s plans were almost scuppered at the last minute when his brother who was to act as his guide had to withdraw just three days before the race.  Thankfully he was able to contact a friend who flew in from Boston, USA the day before and take his brother’s place. 

    Rob was due to set off from the green start with rest of the team (completed by Nikki Green and Andrew Seivewright from the Sports & Recreation Department) going from the red start.

    A good steady pace was set by all the runners right from the start in the rather warm conditions.  Alan was the first to pass through the halfway mark in 1hr 46mins followed by Rob in 2hrs 25mins and Iain in 2hrs 31mins.  At this point Iain was starting to gain on Rob and eventually made the pass just before the 20 mile mark.  However by this time Alan had just crossed the finish line in a time of 3 hrs 37mins.

    With the rain clouds starting to appear overhead Iain and Rob persevered on through the final few miles.  Iain came home in a time of 5hrs 28mins just beating the heavens opening and Rob battled through some extreme rain and wind in the last two miles to finish in a time of 6hrs 5mins.