Story by Les Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports and Marvin Tang.
Daniel Plews crosses the finishing line in first place. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Upper Seletar Reservoir Park, Sunday, March 15, 2009 – Daniel Plews blazed home in 45 minutes 38 seconds to beat nearest challenger David Edwards by over two minutes in the Singapore Sprint Series Sprint Duathlon. Edwards finished in 48:18 while Wille Loo was just behind in 48:32.
Halligan Quin, who won the men’s category in the Sprint Aquathlon, finished 13th overall in 51:01.
In the women’s category, Trudy Fawcett followed up her win in the Sprint Aquathlon with a convincing 52:30 first-place finish in the Sprint Duathlon. Her nearest challenger was Harriette Purchas in 56:33 while Choo Ling Er was third in 56:37.
“I really enjoy these short races,” said Daniel. “Very painful – but only for a short period of time. It’s an awesome venue for a duathlon.”
The 3km run route took participants past the picturesque Upper Seletar Reservoir and the 15km bike route was along Mandai Road with its majestic canopy of mature trees. The bike route this year was also expanded to give bikers more room for overtaking.
“I really enjoyed it,” said the ever-bubbly Trudy. “I was a bit nervous that the bike route would be dangerous but it was really well done!”
Trudy also finished first at the recent Singapore Biathlon and in her estimation, not fast. “I’m not a sprinter but it was only 3km!”
Trudy ran her second 3km in 10:59, 10 seconds faster than her first 3km. Her overall time also placed her 22nd overall in the field.
The Sprint Duathlon is the second of three races making up the Singapore Sprint Series with participants raking up points for each race. An overall series champion will be declared after the Sprint Triathlon on April 19, 2009.
“I signed up for the series,” said Wille Loo, 26. “I always enjoy the bike course and I’m also trying to go for the overall win.” © Red Sports
Trudy Fawcett finishes the race to notch her second win in the series. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Trudy stretches with a friend before the race. (Photo 3 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Wille Loo, who finished third, does some preparation work before the race. (Photo 4 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Daniel Plews is a face of concentration before the flag off. (Photo 5 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Flag off! (Photo 6 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Daniel Plews leads the pack in the first leg… (Photo 7 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
…and makes his way to transition… (Photo 8 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
with David Edwards close behind. (Photo 9 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Wille Loo in ninth place after the first 3km. (Photo 10 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Trudy Fawcett blitzes the first leg of the race… (Photo 11 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… as she comes in with a timing of 11 minutes 9 seconds … (Photo 12 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… one and a half minutes faster than second place Harriette Purchas. (Photo 13 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Choo Ling Er, who finished third, follows closely behind. (Photo 14 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Daniel Plews comes into transition after finishing the 15km bike leg. (Photo 15 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Wille Loo dismounts from his bike as he approaches transition. (Photo 16 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
David Edwards finishes the race in second with a timing of 48:18… (Photo 17 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… with Wille Loo just behind in 48:32. (Photo 18 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Trudy Fawcett finishing the second 3km run leg 10 seconds faster than her first. (Photo 19 © Marvin Tang)
Trudy Fawcett finishes in 52:30 with a smile on her face. (Photo 20 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Hariette Purchas comes in second… (Photo 21 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
…while Nicole Gallagher finishes fourth. (Photo 22 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
More pictures in the gallery.
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