European Sprint & Standard Distance Duathlon Championships 2024 Race Report – Graeme Stirzaker
30 June 2024
Hi all, last weekend competed in the European sprint and standard duathlon in Coimbra, Portugal (AG 55-59).
First up was the sprint on Saturday (5k run, 20k bike-draft legal and 2.5k run to finish). There were some great runners there, and the top guys were already well ahead after a kilometre running 17 mins for the first 5k! I just had to run the best I could and make it to the bike leg. I got into a good group, and we swept up a few competitors ahead, who were in ones and twos. The bike leg was good, and I felt comfortable, put in an attack at the end but didn’t quite manage to stay away. Then the last 2.5k run was just trying to hold on and not get passed by too many. Finished 16th/29.
The running was a loop crossing the river taking in two bridges. For the bike the organizers put on an ambitious circuit which was half out in the countryside and the other more urban crossing a major bridge, usually not accessible to cyclists or pedestrians. This worked out well and the organizers did a great job closing the roads.
Sunday was the standard duathlon (10k run, 40K bike-non-draft legal, 5k run to finish. First 5k I kept a good pace going but slowed slightly over the second 5k. For the bike leg, felt OK but wasn’t really making gains, wasn’t catching many ahead. I was missing my TT bike, I think. Eventually got to the final run, started ok but the had some cramp in my left leg and had to slow down to keep going. Made it to an aid station, took on some water and managed to up the pace to the finish 16th/21. I hoped for better in the standard.
Anyway, the disappointment faded, and I realised I had a brilliant week in Portugal, the organizers put on a great event with duathlons, cross duathlons (riding around the narrow streets of the city), aquathlon, middle distance triathlons and aqua bike across the age groups + para as well. Met some friends and made some new connections too. Coimbra is a beautiful city and I’m glad I got to experience racing around the streets.
