Bonar wins duathlon
Shetland Triathlon Club held another keenly-contested duathlon at Tingwall on Sunday, comprising a 2.2 mile run, a 14 mile cycle and another 2.2 mile run.
Six contestants lined up at the start, most of them newcomers to the sport this year. With most of the more experienced competitors absent due to work, house building or gardening it left the race open for a new winner.
Although the wind would play a part, it didn’t stop newcomer Bonar Barclay setting off like a train on the first run to claim a solid lead going into the bike leg. He was followed by fellow novice Maurice Fraser and then John Anderson, looking forward to getting to work on his strongest leg, the bike. Then came Ewan Stirling, Shane Winson and Andrea Holmes. Shane withdrew soon after due to a puncture, leaving five left to battle it out.
On the bike, John displayed his experience to catch Maurice and Bonar, but knew he would need to put a large gap between him and his competitors to allow him to hang on in the next run to try for victory.
Coming into the final run with around two minutes of a gap back to Bonar and three to Maurice, it was going to be close. With the crowds beginning to gather in anticipation of the grandstand finish, Bonar caught and passed John with less than half a mile to go to claim the victory. John held on for second, Maurice took third, Ewan was fourth and Andrea fifth.
A spokesman thanked the people of the Tingwall hall who appeared at the end of the event with trays of sandwiches, which was much appreciated.
The next event is the “tri a tri” at Sandwick on 10th May, consisting of a 300 metre swim, a 4.2 mile bike ride and a 1.2 mile run.
Entry is £5 and people must know how long the swim will take them, as they will be asked at registration and it is vital to the organising.
Teams can be of two or three, each doing a leg. Registration is at 10am at the South Mainland Pool and further details are available at www.shetlandtriathlonclub.co.uk
