Ellie Secures Podium Finish at British Sprint Duathlon Championships
It was a freezing cold morning at Oulton Park for the British Sprint Duathlon Championships — the kind of cold that makes even the toughest athletes question their kit choices.
“I briefly considered not wearing a base layer,” Ellie admitted. “But it was so cold I would happily have worn my big puffer coat… although that wouldn’t have been very aero.”
Perspective Before Performance
The day before the race, Ellie had watched a BBC programme featuring Chris Hoy, reflecting on life following a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Two messages stayed with her heading into race day:
- Process over outcome
- Appreciate the small things
“It was a reminder,” Ellie said, “that sometimes you need a reality check — whether you're complaining about the cold, the clocks changing, or the lack of sunshine.”
Standing on the start line, that perspective mattered.
“I was grateful to be healthy, and to be there.”
A Technical Course at Oulton Park
Oulton Park provided a challenging but rewarding setting for the race. Known for its fast, flowing layout, the course demands discipline as much as speed.
The opening run begins downhill — tempting athletes to go out too hard — before quickly punishing any overcommitment with a tough uphill section around the hairpin.
It’s a course that rewards control and experience.
Working the Bike in Tough Conditions
This was a draft legal race, adding a tactical layer to the competition. After two laps, Ellie linked up with another rider — a turning point in the race.
“Sometimes you end up in a group where no one wants to work,” she said. “But not this time.”
The pair pushed hard together through strong winds for the final three laps, maintaining a solid pace despite the challenging conditions.
Digging Deep on the Final Run
As with any duathlon, the second run was always going to be a test.
“Your quads are completely battered,” Ellie explained, “but you just have to keep pushing.”
Despite the fatigue — and the cold — she delivered a standout performance, achieving a personal best on the run course.
A Result Worth the Cold
Crossing the finish line brought little relief from the temperature.
“I genuinely think I was colder at the finish than when we started!”
But the result quickly changed everything.
Ellie secured 2nd place in her age group at the British Championships — an outstanding achievement and a testament to both her physical preparation and mental resilience.
And suddenly, the cold didn’t matter at all.
