RICHARD HORTON
BUCS Duathlon Champs, 20 Nov 2016
23-year-old Richard Horton is a Loughborough University human biology student, and puts his expertise to good use judging from his impressive multisport results of late…
Coming into this race I was far more nervous than I expected. I’m generally relaxed but after a bit of an anti-climax to my summer season I wanted to end the year with a bang. I’m also now part of an online coaching team, www.teamtriumph.com, and wanted to do them proud!
You can never tell what level of fitness others will be at in November, but as the BUCS Duathlon Champs is one of the UK’s biggest duathlons I knew the competition would be strong.
As I set off I tried to assume the lead early on, not wanting to get boxed in. Although I’d only done a handful of turbo sessions in the lead-up I managed to hold off everyone but the fast-biking Luke Grenfell-Shaw of Durham Uni on the 10-mile bike course. The gap was 35secs going into the second run, and with everything to play for I simply stuck my head down and went for it. Even if it ended me I was determined to get level, but I passed him with 200m to go to take the win!
I was very proud to represent Loughborough for a final time as a BUCS competitor in a well organised and competitive race. I’ll definitely be back to race the open event at the Chilly Duathlon in the future. My plans going forward include a full cross-country season, some British Super Series races and a couple of 70.3s – and continuing to work with Team Triumph to help others achieve their multisport goals.