Editor's note: This race review was copied word for word from (what I believe to be) the worst cycling magazine on earth... Read on and decide for yourself. By the way, the guy in blue in the photo is me.
SPIN Asia Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 2, Page 38/39: It is the wee hours of Saturday morning where the first light of dawn splashed a reflection of light across the calm water of Upper Seletar Reservoir. Competitors and supporters alike walked along the pathway with a scenic view of the forestry that line the outskirts of the peaceful water catchment area to the registration tents. It was the second of three races in Singapore Sprint Series and TRIBOB was the organizer for the event. Consisting of a 3km run, 15km cycling, 3km run respectively. It is a Duathlon introduction leading to TRIBOB's Triathlon race held in June.
The Duathlon race as with the other two races consists of both individual and team relay entries. It is a fun way for many to take part in the race with their friends and colleagues, while fighting for a Spring Series Team Cup as the ultimate prize. Any three entries in a race can form a Sprint Series Team and a Team can consist of a combination of relays and individual entries, male or female. The Team with the most points wins the race; on top of that, entries are still eligible for individual or relay rankings as well.
Many competitors that took part in the Race 1: Biathlon was also taking part in the Duathlon. You can see a varied choice of bikes used by the participants as they lined them up in the docking area. Along the registration tents are the many sponsor booths displaying their sports merchandise for purchase. For the hungry, a Mexican Taco Bar is also available. There is a tent set up by Rodalink to provide free service and repairs to the competitor's bikes before or during the race.
Soon enough, the preparations and final registration process are completed. The first category of competitors began to file to the starting line for the run off. It was a surge of people as they push off on Mandai Road. The racecourse takes them on a loop around a country club golf course before heading back along Upper Seletar Reservoir to the transition pit for their bikes. There was a scene of mad rush as those who ran back fumbled with the change of footwear from running shoes to cycling clip-ons. Jumping onto their bikes, they pumped their leg muscles down the other end of Mandai Road leading to BKE before turning back again in a succession of two laps. The last transition into running has decidedly split the leaders away from the main group as the competitors do a final run along the reservoir to the finishing gateway.
With an electronic tag strapped onto each participant, a sensor at the finishing line recorded timing systematically and without any doubt or confusion. There was even a digital counter mounted on the finishing gateway to display the timing of the race. After crossing the finishing line, each competitor got a completion of race medal by the officials. There was even an additional complimentary of sports drinks for hydration and a choice of bananas or apples to replenish their lost carbohydrates.
As the last competitor complete the racecourse, the organizers began to prepare the prize award on the stage. The prizes are arranged according to the category of entry and the top three finishers of each age-group category will receive a trophy. After all the prizes were given out, there was even a Star Awards given to a participant that truly stands out in terms of best dressed, best finisher or just being the most photogenic person in the race.
The third and last race in the series will be the Triathlon on 14th June at Changi Beach Park. It will consist of a 750m swim, 20km cycling and 5km of running proving to be a definite challenge to those new to this sport. So, do watch out for it and check out TRIBOB website www.tribob.com for more details on the racecourse and results from previous races.
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