We’ve had another top performance by Nick Shasha at the massive London Duathlon…

This duathlon in Richmond Park (the world’s largest with over 3,000 competitors) has become an annual event for me and I’ve only missed one event since the very first race.  It never gets boring though as it’s so different in character, scale and venue to any other duathlon.

For this year, the organisers decided not to offer a draft-legal elite race and make all the race distances non-drafting.  This made a large difference to my race strategy as I knew that I would have to pace myself perfectly on the first run rather than push the pace.  The organisers also decided to only offer elite places in the Classic distance of 10k run / 44k bike / 5k run.  

I started off in the very first wave in the 10k run and immediately built up a lead and was solo running after only the first 500 metres.  From then on, the run snaked around the park and took in a few undulations.  I came into T1 and made a super swift transition onto the Wilier.

I was now the first person to get onto the bike course and had the whole of Richmond Park to myself for the 18 minutes – how cool is that?  Gradually lap by lap the park got busier and busier with all the various waves of athletes joining onto the bike course, but I managed to stay focused and keep my power and riding style evenly paced.

Coming into T2 and a long run through transition saw me start the second run really feeling the effects of that 44k bike, but after the first 2k I managed to increase my leg speed.  Overall I managed to make the podium (3rd overall and 1st in age group) and recorded both the fastest first and second runs.  All in all a good day at the office!

All pro snaps courtesy of Jolekha Shasha.

Thanks, as ever go to ALL our awesome sponsors.

www.wilier.it – Triathlon Frames
www.ffwdwheels.com – Aero Wheels
www.ritcheylogic.com – Aerobars, Saddles and Finishing Kit
www.cycleops.com – Power Meters
www.racezone3.com – Wetsuits
www.limarhelmets.com – Helmets & Glasses
www.lakecycling.co.uk – Cycling Footwear
www.jagwireusa.com – Cables & Housing
www.scott-sports.com – Running Footwear
www.shimano.com – Groupsets
www.triathlonspecific.com/Sable/Sable.html – Swim Goggles (Sable Water Optic)
www.max-mediagroup.co.uk – Team PR
www.amphibia-sport.com – Transition Bags
www.schwalbe.com – Tyres
www.lezyne.com – Pumps, Tools
www.champ-sys.com – Custom Trisuits and Cycle Wear