Standard Duathlon World Championships, 30 Apr 2023

Seven months ago I got the results of an MRI showing I had a pelvic stress fracture. Fast forward those intervening months and the standard duathlon world championships was the biggest event of my year (and life).

I knew I was in good shape as I had seen my numbers get gradually better across both the run and bike in recent months working with Tim. Pre-race research of my other competitors threw up some on-paper challenges, led by a strong South African. (I incidentally must have dreamt the lady from Canada was an ex-Olympian as I’ve since not found any evidence of this, despite telling anyone and everyone!!)

The days pre-race in Ibiza included a good bike and run recce and knowing these ‘in reality’ really settled my nerves.

Race morning, the sun was shining and it was hot! During my warm up, even a 4.10/km run felt impossible but I kept trying to remind myself that I was ready and come the start I’d be fine.

Lining up in the start pens I was with some of my good AG friends who all seemed more nervous than I was. Rather than being nervous I was excited to do what I’ve been working for and to do my best and perform to the level I know I’m capable of. The last couple of years have been plagued by injuries so I really just wanted to execute a race I could be proud of.

For the first run my strategy was to pace it well, and not to go off too fast. The girls around me all went off like rockets, which would have been me ‘normally’, but it was so satisfying feeling strong the whole way, overtaking those that were paying for their blistering starts, resulting in running the annoyingly short 10k (9.8km) in 37.12. This would have given me an 38.20 10km time which would have been a PB! I finished the first run 2nd in my AG (being pipped in the last 100m) and about 7th overall. A good start…

Onto the bike.

The previous day’s sprint event had shown how not to do the mount onto the bike. So a little bit of practice (before I racked my bike) of doing my newly developed flying mount really paid off.

The bike course was a 3-lap out and back which was uphill on the way out and a lovely cruising decline on the way back. The American who I entered into T1 with clearly wasn’t a cyclist and I didn’t see her again. But I could see the South African on every turn and the gap was consistently about 90seconds so I felt pretty comfortable.

Into T2 and I performed a slick dismount and set off on the run. 5.3km to go… and given it was about 26 degrees and not a cloud in the sky, I felt strong. The course was nice in that you could break it up into sections and tick them off mentally. Coming to the finish you had to go around a fountain, turn back on yourself and then up the finish line. I was nearly there!

Running up the red carpet with my family there, giving my daughter a high five, knowing I’d executed the race I wanted, was perfect.

Then to hear the man with the mic announce that I had won my age group and was World Champion topped off an amazing morning!

To say that I’m World Champion doesn’t feel real, but to have come out on top of a really strong field (of 23 athletes), and to be 5th overall, makes me really satisfied to know that the hard work and dedication has really paid off!

Getting older and moving up age groups really isn’t a bad thing…!

Sarah Harding