The 2017 British Championship season gets underway on Sunday (9 April), as Bedford Aerodrome hosts the British Duathlon Championships.
On a circuit designed by former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, Bedford Aerodrome will provide a new home for the British Duathlon Championships this season, the race hosted by NiceTri Events. The event represents the British Championships for all categories; Elite Senior, Elite Junior, Elite Youth, Age-Group and Paraduathlon. Bedford will also be the first event in the 2017 British Triathlon Youth & Junior Super Series.
Defending Elite women’s champion, Emma Pallant, will start as a strong favourite. The reigning ITU Duathlon World Champion is aiming to add a third consecutive title to her C.V. later this year in Penticton. Beth Potter is an interesting addition to the field. After representing Great Britain in the 10,000m at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, she is aiming to transition into triathlon.
Also twice a world champion, at Junior and Under-23 level, Richard Horton brings great form to the race in his quest to defend the title he won last year in Windsor. With personal best times in recent weeks at both 10km and half marathon distances, his confidence should be high. It won’t be an easy race however, with former British Elite Champions Phil Wylie, Mark Buckingham and Adam Bowden among a very strong start list.
Amongst the returning paraduathlon champions is Bret Crossley, 2016 PT1 British Champion, who lines up against Rio 2016 Paralympians, Phil Hogg and Joe Townsend in the newly named PTHC catagory. An interesting addition to the line up is Jade Jones; the London 2012 Paralympic Wheelchair racer trying her hand at multisport this weekend.
While the Elite athletes will be racing in drafting format, the Age-Group race is a non-drafting event over the longer 10km / 39km / 5km distances, where the flat and traffic-free course should see some fast and exciting racing.
Race Website: Visit here
Start lists: Visit here
Venue: Thurleigh Airfield Business Park, Thurleigh, Bedford MK44 2YP
