Marlow Rower’s Revenge 2009: IC's Doctor Dreamy Hugh Mackenzie and Kat 'The Beast’ Holloway were fastest man and woman respectively at this year’s rower’s revenge triathlon. The race consisted of a 4km erg, 23.4 km bike and 7.15 km run at Marlow Court Gardens Leisure Complex in Higginson Park. This was Holloway’s first competitive race since WHR in 2007 due to a two year sabbatical from rowing after suffering a back injury. The cause of the injury is attributed to repetitive shock waves which spread through Holloway's body after news was released of Will Todd’s Henley victory in July of 2007.

Holloway completed the course in 1:35:53 (Erg:00:16:51 T1:00:00:44 Bike:00:42:42 T2:00:00:41 Run:00:34:51), 39th overall and the fastest woman by four minutes, shaming fourteen men who straggled behind her. “I was really really chuffed with my result… I think I had a lot of pent up energy to release!” It was not an easy victory and the pressure was on Holloway who was representing ICBC for the first time. Choosing the right clothing was critical as there was little time to waste during transitions. Although sleeves would be too hot on an erg, they would be important for the bike leg. Luckily the sun came out just before the start and beater vests were decided upon. In homage to her first race for IC Holloway wanted to wear some IC kit: “Having none myself, the best I could do was Chewy’s lycra, size small. It was a tight squeeze… Maybe the compression effect was performance enhancing. Who knows?”

Mackenzie meanwhile took the overall glory beating the entire field of over 200 competitors to first place (Erg:00:14:24 T1:00:00:51 Bike:00:36:05 T2:00:01:02 Run:00:28:30 Event time:1:20:54). The water stands were not yet in place as Mackenzie came through from the bike leg and he passed unnoticed onto the route. With less than 100 metres to go the marshals stood around wondering where the runners would finish as Mackenzie smashed through the sign under the inflatable arch, again unnoticed by the commentary. His transitions however were not as swift. Mackenzie entered T1 in 2nd place, sat down, fixed his shoes, did a crossword puzzle, had a quick nap and left the transition in 5th.

In second place, two minutes behind Mackenzie, was triathlete Marius Kwint of Southampton Triathlon Club. Mackenzie finished 6th at last year’s Rower’s Revenge, just 8 seconds behind 5th place James Cracknell and was satisfied with this year's result: “Nice day, quite painful and we were quite quick. That’s about it.” Mackenzie won Henley in 2004 as a third year medic at IC in the Men’s Student Coxed Fours (Now the Prince Albert Challenge Cup) with crew mates Ed Johnson, George Whittaker, Simon Hislop and cox Seb Pearce.

Pacing proved the winning formula for Holloway and Mackenzie, neither of whom were leading after the first leg. (The fastest erger of the day (10:00:00) ended up finishing in 37th position.) [POD has been contacted by agent Anstiss about this statement informing her that a 10' 4km erg corresponds to a 1:15/500m split. This does seem unreasonably fast.... but having rechecked the results this is indeed in the final publication.The hero: Duncan Emery of Putney Town Rowing Club]. The timing for the first leg was based on how long it took from the start of the erg to getting to the transition point. Holloway was well aware that the relative gains of the bike over the erg meant she should pace herself early on. “Getting off the erg and having to run to where the bikes were racked in transition was way more difficult than I was expecting – my legs were like jelly!”

It was the bike leg where Holloway made her mark; coming out of the first transition she was 107th overall - getting off the bike she was 28th. “I absolutely nailed myself on the bike and it went really well for me; I think cycling camp paid off there.” [As did the recci Holloway did of the course the week before and the fitting of tri bars...] Holloway set off in the second wave of women (5 minutes after the first) and after the bike leg came onto the course in second place only a minute behind the fastest girl in the wave ahead. Both Holloway and Mackenzie had attended the ICBC summer cycling camp in the Alpes D’Huez in August. As Holloway is usually seen sitting on the gym floor diligently stretching and going through her physio exercises, little was known about her physical capabilities. As she tore her way up and down Les Aples it was quite clear where her Beast nickname came from. “She’s an animal!”

By the time the run came around Holloway admits she was “pretty much hanging on.” IC’s Ellie Dorman was also competing and finished 7th in her category (F-20-29) and 101st overall (Erg:00:16:55 T1:00:01:21 Bike:00:48:19 T2:00:00:49 Run:00:37:56). Cycling camp attendee Helen Austin represented Mortlake and finished 4th in F-20-29 and 74th overall (Erg:00:16:32 T1:00:00:46 Bike:00:47:21 T2:00:00:40 Run:00:36:50). There was a great turnout of support for the IC competitors with friends showing their encouragement along the route. “Ablitt’s calls of ‘Go on The Beast’ at the start of the run definitely took seconds off my time” said Holloway after the race.

Holloway has publicly announced that she will be rowing this year and is making her return debut at Pair’s Head with Helen Austin next week. Congratulations to Kat & Hugh!

Christina Duffy

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