Forres athlete beats Spanish sun in duathlon World Championships
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A FITNESS fanatic from Forres represented Great Britain at the ITU Duathlon World Championships in Pontevedra, Northern Spain.
Douglas Cowie competed in the 60-65 age bracket, finishing in eigth place from 48 entrants in sweltering conditions.
The championships involve a continuous run-cycle-run, with the format being a first run of 10km, a cycle of 40km and a second run of 5km.
“It was scorching on race day,” said Douglas.
“The first run was tough due to the stifling heat but I managed to pull back some time on the cycle as it was very hilly and I was more suited to the route.
“I took it steady on the second run and managed to maintain my position.”
Douglas was apprehensive about running faster for fear of cramp - several of the 2000 runners were hospitalised at the end of the event with dehydration. Only 40 of the 48 entrants in the 60-65 bracket managed to finish.
“Bearing in mind the weather conditions, I was relieved to have finished the race in one piece!,” said Douglas.
“The first three finishers in last years race finished fourth, seventh and ninth this year so I take my hat off to them and I’m pleased with my placing.
“I went there in peak condition but things like the weather you can’t control.”
He spent around a week in Spain and managed to enjoy the sunshine before and after the duathlon.
“Santander is situated in a beautiful area of Northern Spain - they call it “the jewel in the north”,” he said.
“They have the cleanest beaches I have ever seen and I even went swimming.”
He now has a few running and cycling events through the summer to look forward to while trying and make the Scottish team for the Cross Country International in November.
