High Terrain Events Kielder Duathlon

On Sunday, Michelle McCrindle travelled to Northumberland to challenge herself with another off road duathlon, this time she took part in the Kielder Duathlon run by High Terrain Events. Michelle tells us about her race...

"It had been -12 overnight and there was an inch of snow and ice over the area, race organisers informed us it would be -3 during the event!

The first 7km run started with a climb on steep forest road where running was tricky with so much ice. We were then directed up onto open fell for more climbing. This was my first experience of fell running and conditions made it very hard. Once over the top we had a long sideways descent and after seeing people ahead falling, I decided to go slowly and safely, eventually making my way back down to the forest road and then onto the bike route of 24km.

The bike route was half forest road and half 'blue' mountain bike route, so not technical, just treacherous with ice.  I biked well and made up several places. The final run of 6km was a little flatter to start with but the second half was a seemingly totally random route through the forest with lots of mud and slippery tree roots.

I finished in 3 hours 36 minutes in 133rd place overall which I was pleased with in those conditions. It was a stunning setting and well organised event with good camaraderie."

Michelle