Glengorm Duathlon was a great success.  What started out as a "We want to do more of that" at the Fire Station after the Craignure Triathlon turned into a great day.  I take my hat off to anyone who organises these events and thanks to all the marshals who were flung in at the deep end.

Ruth was mumbling "Its nice to be up early on a Sunday morning rather than lying about in bed". But seemingly what she actually said was "What the f... am I doing here on a bloody Sunday morning at 0900 when I could be lying in a warm bed."  Stuart, her partner, was fidgeting very nervously beside her trying not to make eye contact.  The fact no one had a clue what was happening did not help.  But one by one everyone did their bit.

The day turned out to be glorious after a dodgy start and it remained dry throughout.  There were a lot of families with small kids which was great but not expected.  If it was not for Wullie Blue and Gina sending them the wrong way (a shorter route) then I'm sure we would still be looking for them ;-)).

Some rally people took part and we hope to encourage more for next year.  Quite a few people pulled out for various reasons.  Marjorie Nelson had a good excuse; she developed a strange foot problem called Margedisnawantaedoit (Latin term).  Ian Fraser had to pull put as he put family before friends - Not Good.  Dom was too busy ..but did turn out to Marshall?  And was first to taste the Magners afterward as Gibbo was on holiday.

Bang!!  We were off.  MacInnes went into the lead at once and stayed there till the end.  It was all about us lesser mortals.

Alan Parker got off to a flier in the run as did Gerry Kangly and the Rally Guys, Dave Hopwood, Paul Grattage, Richard Kellett from Aros Bridge.  Young Darren Thompson was going at a good pace as well.

First back at the changeover was Stevie hotly followed by Gerry, then Paul, then myself.

At the Transition Area there was chaos Gerry put on his glasses and they steamed up and he could not see what he was doing.  I ripped off both running shoes and changed to cycling shoes and as I stood up noticed I had put one running shoe back on.

At the start of the Grassy hill just after nearly getting all my fillings dislodged on the stony downhill I came off the bike due to tiredness and Alan Parker was right beside me.  Yes, the old timers were whipping a few young ones.

Darren Thompson punctured on the stony hill and had to retire.  He said later he was devastated as he would have easily beaten Gerry on the bike.

10 mile cycle felt like 20 mile as I battled with Gerry in frantic full force action packed drama - a cat and mouse game reminiscent of the Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett battles of the past.  This was prime television stuff.

As we left The Shire of Glengorm we headed into the Hilly Dark forests of Mordor Torr.  The Troll Marshals in the Loch Torr section where a bit rough.  Giant Troll 'Mick' insulted everyone who went by him and waved his spade in anger.  Tiny Troll, Lynne MacLeod, smiled like a Fairy Princess and then chucked stones at you as you went down the stony path to the Troll Bridge.

This led to the scariest part.  Troll 'Riona' shooking her flowing locks, snarled and spat "Get off the bike and walk NOW!!!".  (Woe betide anyone brave enough to try not too).

Troll 'Elizabeth', in her leathers and full size whip, just made cutting remarks to everyone and did her best to make them despondent, yelling things like "mmmm, seen better legs on a chicken"; "do you want a hand to push the bike up the hill"; "should you be riding a bike at your age" and "Get a Move On".  It was relief to get back to the Shire again and see Prince Dom guarding the Ghastly Hill to make sure no one reached to the flat lands below.

MacInnes won as usual but he will have to work harder next year as a few people have him in their sights.

The Kids were fantastic and I'm amazed at what they can do and how much determination they have.  Gina and Wullie where full of praise and could not believe how competitive they were at that age, and it was not an easy course by any means.

Thanks to all the Marshals (Trolls) -  Bruce, Ruth, Babs, Marianne, Stuart, Riona, Elizabeth, Mick, Lynne, Donny, Dom, Marjorie, Wullie and Georgina.

Thanks to Susan Hall for listening to MacInnes when he was drunk afterwards.  To Dom for helping me home (Gina abandoned me!).  Thanks to Joanne for not hitting Dom and her meal was so good it still tasted superb stone cold.

Special thanks to Tom and Margie Nelson for allowing us to hold the Event in such a stunning location and for their donation .

Thanks to T.S.L for their Sponsorship also.  Thanks to Mick Gerry and Stevie for signs.  I'm sure everyone who helped will give a big sad sigh when I say it will be going ahead next year.  Apologies for everyone's names spelt wrong and anyone I missed.

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