Dorney Lake Duathlon 2025 Race Report

Table Of Contents
  1. Dorney Lake Events
  2. At A Glance
  3. Distances
  4. Goals
  5. Results
  6. Pre-Race
  7. Race Narrative
  8. The Finish Line
  9. Time Chip
  10. Post-Race
  11. Race Ratings
  12. Final Thoughts
Dorney Standard Duathlon

Dorney Lake Events

Duathlon

Dorney Lake, 05.04.2025

At A Glance

EventDorney Lake Duathlon
DistanceStandard duathlon — 10k run / 40k bike / 5k run
Date5th April 2025
LocationDorney Lake, Berkshire
ConditionSunny, windy
Kit HighlightsScott TT
Entry fees

Distances

RunBikeRun
10km40km5km

Goals

GoalTargetResult
10k run42 minutes❌ (43:13)
40k bike1 hour❌ (38k, not 40k)
5k runSub 22:00✅ (20:46)

Results

Finish TimeAge GroupGenderOverall
02:06:551st / 820/8021/121

Pre-Race

In short. I did a duathlon.

It was the Dorney Lake Duathlon. April 5th. Standard distance. Early in the season, I like doing a half-marathon and a duathlon. To see how I feel. To see where I’m at before the triathlon season kicks off.

This one was last-minute. I signed up. And promptly broke the number one rule of triathlon: don’t try anything new on race day.

I broke it twice.

First. I rode my new TT bike. For 50 minutes. The day before.

Second. I used my brand new Ekoi tri shoes. Never worn. Ever.

At least I looked fast. I had the coolest trisuit from RaceSkin. In Nathalie Lawrence’s coaching colours. With my sponsors. Minus Veloforte. They didn’t renew this year. So I tested a new nutrition: STYRKR. I’d used it in training. Training isn’t racing.

Nutrition plan: overnight oats three hours before the start. Double espresso. A gel 20 minutes before. Then one every 40 minutes. Plus 500ml of electrolytes before and during.

I went to the loo right before the start. Again. That habit’s starting to backfire. I crossed the start line at the back of the pack.

Race Narrative

Run 1 — 10k

I went to the loo right before the start. Again. That habit’s starting to backfire. I crossed the start line at the back of the pack.

Then I realised something else. I hadn’t read the race instructions. Or listened. At all.

I saw a sign: “Duathlon – 2.5k loop.” Panic. Was I supposed to do four laps of 2.5k? Or was there a 5k loop? I guessed. Went the wrong way. Stopped. Asked a marshal. Turned around. Got back on the right loop. Lost maybe 30 seconds. Maybe more.

T1

T1 went fine. Onto the bike.

Bike

DIY Triathlon Bike Fit Guide: Setup for Speed

I tried to settle. But I couldn’t tuck my head between my shoulders. Position felt off. Speed wasn’t there. I wanted an average of 40km/h. I got less.

The gels were in my back pocket. Not ideal. The hydration tube magnet was under my left hand. Painful.

Back into transition after one hour. But it wasn’t 40k. It was 38k.

T2

Dorney Standard Duathlon

Run 2 — 5k

The last 5k was okay. Harder to hold a 4:00/km pace. I finished. Time was decent. But I was a bit disappointed.

Raceskin Trisuit Dorney 2026

The Finish Line

Then I checked the results. I won my age group.

So. Not bad after all.

Time Chip

RunT1BikeT2RunFinish
00:46:1300:00:4601:01:1600:00:5200:20:4602:06:55

Post-Race

Saw a few familiar faces. From Bracknell Forest Runners. And Instagram.

The event was well-organised. By ATW Events. Closed roads. Olympic venue.

      Race Ratings

      Organisation8/10 – Low-key but well run
      Course6/10 – Olympic venue, honest about the boring bike route
      Atmosphere / Crowd4/10
      Post-Race Experience/10
      Value for Money/10
      Overall6/10

      Final Thoughts

      In short. I did a duathlon.

      Next day, I nearly didn’t make it to the next one.