T
he first 8 mile run showed last years race winner David Vaughan in good form coming through to transition first in 45:32. Hot on his heels was Charles Pennington who, at only one second behind Vaughan, looked as if he might be a contender to steal Vaughan’s crown. The ladies race also followed last years’ form with 2012 winner Victoria Gill coming first into transition with a first run time of 49:24.
The bike course has traditionally been the discipline that sorts the men from the boys and this year was no exception. Vaughan swiftly proved dominant dropping Pennington relatively quickly, however his lead into the final run lap was again only seconds as a determined James Waite demonstrated his strength on the bike and stormed into transition right on the back wheel of Vaughan. In the end, Vaughan’s BallBuster experience proved too much for novice duathlete Waite as he crossed the line in 2:44:51, a full 2 minutes ahead of Waite who finished in 2:46:52. Vaughan though was disappointed with his final time finishing 6 minutes slower than in 2012. In contrast, Waite was broadly happy with his first BallBuster experience although a cramp leaving transition for the final run lap put paid to his hopes to challenging Vaughan for the title. Third place was taken by Philip Eaves who finished the course in a very respectable 2:47:36.
Over in the ladies’ race, Gill once again proved too strong for the rest of the field crossing the line first in 3:00:25 having never really been challenged for the title. Tamsin Lewis (3:01:25) who was delighted to finish in second place having never before tackled a duathlon commented, “It was a great race, the Ballbuster is legendary, it’s got to be done”. Catherine Benger came in third in 3:08:29.
For the first time in recent years, the Kinetica Spring BallBuster also played host to a number of relay teams. Team The Flying Sprockets were the easy winners crossing the line in 3:07:02 with Team Balls of Steel coming in second in 3:32:28.
As usual following the BallBuster, duathletes took a while to recover from the race. As 7th placed Oliver Princhard commented “it’s brutal, that final run lap”. Recovery was aided by sports nutrition brand Kinetica and natural hydration product Vita Coco.
Next up in the Human Race calendar is the Whole Foods Market Breakfast Run in Kingston on 24 March which offers a perfect training race for a Spring Marathon. And, Human Race will be back on Boxhill as part of their new cycling event, the London Cycle Sportive on 30th June.
