Will Clarke finished 2nd in his race on home soil. The British athlete crossed the line in a time of 4:01:16. It was his fellow compatriot George Goodwin (GBR; 3:57:26) who took the win as Elliot Smales (GBR; 4:04:53) rounded out the all-British podium. In the women’s race, Emma Pallant claimed an excellent 2nd place as well. She put up an ultimate charge on the run to finish the race in a time of 4:26:04. Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR; 4:22:30) took the victory with Katrina Rye (GBR; 4:29:20) finishing in 3rd.
Strong performance 2 weeks after Ironman Brazil
Only two weeks after his 2nd place finish in Ironman Brazil, Will Clarke toed the line in Staffordshire to race on home soil. Will showed his intend from the beginning, as he exited the water in 4th place, part of the leading group. On the bike, Clarke immediately took matter in his own hands and opened up a gap of over 1’ in the first 30k. In the final 15k, the BMC-Vifit athlete got accompanied by Goodwin as the duo kept extending their lead over the rest of the field. With an advantage of more than 3’ over 3rd place, both athletes started the closing half marathon. From that point onwards, it was clear Will didn’t have the fresh legs to compete for the win, 2 weeks after Brazil. He kept his running pace as high as possible to control his 2nd place towards the finish. In a time of 4:01:16, Clarke crossed the line in second.
Emma Pallant second
Another story in the women’s race. Emma Pallant entered T1 in 3rd place, 4’ back from leader Charles. In the early stages of the bike, Emma managed to cut down her disadvantage to 2’30. She kept pushing the watts at the back end of the bike, but at T2, the gap had grown to 5’ towards the lead. Cook, in 2nd place, started just a minute in front of Pallant. Emma wouldn’t be Emma without her fast running legs. She immediately took over control of 2nd place and started the hunt towards the front of the race. Halfway through the run, the BMC-Vifit athlete reduced the gap to 2’40. Charles responded by picking up her pace and securing her win. Emma kept well in control of her 2nd place to come home in a time of 4:26:04, posting the fastest running split once again.
Very happy
Afterwards Will Clarke was very pleased with his racing, not only today, but the whole season. “What a great way to cap off a succesful month. This really feels like a bonus result only two weeks after Ironman Brazil. I felt very good today. The swim felt easy and once of the bike I felt very strong. Unfortunately during the closing half marathon I didn’t have that extra gear to run for the win today. But very happy I could hold a strong pace and come away with a second place. I am especially pleased I have been biking strong in every race I have done this year. Very happy how the season has gone so far. With a win in Outlaw half three weeks ago, a second place in Ironman Brazil two weeks ago and now a second place in Staffordshire, it has been an intense but very satisfying month. I will enjoy a short break and recover now and then all eyes on my two other main goals this season Ironman Hamburg and Kona.”
Pleased
Also Emma Pallant looked back on her race: "Unfortunately I came off at the start of the bike, nothing serious, just slid my back wheel. It made me take it a bit more cautious on the wet bits and corners. But all in all happy with 2nd place today. It has been a big period of racing lately. Time to recover and to enter a new training block towards the second half of the season".
