Four members of Honiton Running Club (HRC)took part in the Killerton Duathlon, writes Judy Davey.

The event embraced running, cycling and running again.

There were two distances to choose from; the longer standard distance or shorter sprint. All HRC took on the shorter sprint made up of a 5k run, 20k bike ride followed by a 3k run.

There was also the opportunity for one competitor to do the whole thing or as pairs. Katy Cambell and Tony Peek both opted to do the whole thing whilst Karen Toffs and Michelle Selley entered the pairs with Karen doing the running and Michelle the cycle ride.

They all found it tough at the start with undulations in the run to the first transition area where it was a change of shoes to cycle ones, grab your helmet and bike to cycle the 20k route out of Killerton onto the main Broadclyst to Cullompton road before following the same route back with the wind in their faces. Although Tony was quicker on the bike section it was not enough to catch Katy who had made a great start with the run. It was then back into the transition area and back into running shoes. Again Katy was a lot quicker than Tony in transitions gaining her valuable time.

They set out into the last run which felt like the hardest with legs that didn’t want to run. On the last downhill section Tony tried to gain back some time only to have cramp pull him up to a complete stop whilst he stretched it out. Karen, who had not been too well, had a good run on the first leg coming in just behind Tony, before sending Michelle off on her cycle ride giving Karen’s legs chance to recover before her final run. Luckily the rain held off just long enough for the last run!

First back for Honiton was Katy in a completed time of 1:38:48. Second home of the Honiton competitors was Tony in 1:36:33, and the duo of Karen and Michelle crossed the finish line in 1:47:56. All agreed it was a tough morning, but one that they are all eager to repeat.

Another HRC member, Howard Bidmead, took a short break to Jersey and took part in the half marathon.

He has been suffering with injuries on and off so was delighted to finish in one piece in a time of 1:49:58.