Marshalling at Methlick Duathlon
I spent Sunday morning marshalling at the Methlick Duathlon, hosted by my club Three Peaks Triathletes. It’s held a few miles from my house, and, since I still can’t run due to Achillies Tendonitis, the least I could do was to help out.
This was the first time I’d done this and I ended up marshalling the transition area. It was quite an eye-opener to see how much trouble it caused for the time keepers when competitors didn’t go where they were supposed to. I’d also never seen the transition area when there’s a heap of competitors in it at once, and the chaos it can cause – it’s usually pretty empty by the time I get there! It was also quite interesting to see how some competitors’ idea of “Off your bike at the kerb” varied from mine!
It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning, topped off with Stovies and a pint in the local hotel, the Ythan View. It provided a valuable insight into the organization and work that goes into these events, and I’d recommend that everyone does it, just to get an appreciation of what goes on when you’re racing, and the work done by the marshalls and timekeepers.
