Thomson tames Barcis

HOT temperatures and a tricky course made Carl Thomson's first World Long-Course Duathlon Championships competition a memorable one. The Guernseyman was one of a 35-strong party of Great Britain athletes who competed in Barcis, Italy, after being selected on the back of his performances in the World Short-Course Championships, but he felt more suited to the distances offered by this event.

The long-course championships are held over an initial 10.5-mile run, a 50-mile cycle ride and a further seven-mile run to finish.

Although he did not manage his original target of a top-10 placing in the 40-44-year men's age group, Thomson was 'pleased with my performance'.

'The race took me 4hr 34min. to complete and I placed 14th in the category,' he said.

The first run was three laps around the lake in the picturesque town, including a nasty 600m climb.

'The start of the race was at 8am with air temperatures 28C and rising very quickly. I started off very easily, but on the second and third laps increased my running speed to pick up some placings,' Thomson said.

After a quick change of shoes, it was onto the 50-mile bike ride into the Dolomites.

The leg was over two laps of a 25-mile circuit with a 35-minute climb and the air temperatures were now up to 34C.

'I had to hydrate myself properly as well as give myself a little bit of extra energy by taking isotonic gels,' said Thomson.

'On the second lap of the bike ride, I was very happy to reach the top of the climb. After that it was back down the mountain into the town for my last run.'

The final leg was twice around the running circuit.

'I felt very good on the run and again passed lots of people who were having a very hard time on the climb - some were walking.

'I just kept on running a good pace right to the finish,' Thomson said.

He was the third British finisher in his category, the other two crossing the line immediately before him in 12th and 13th with less than six minutes separating the three. The winner of the 40-44 age group was Belgian Joel Claisse who clocked 3-53-54.