Swimrun Het Rondje Eilanden 2023 - give me two!
Disclaimer: Automatically translated from Russian
I begin to embody summer plans. The first stop is the swimrun of Het Rondje Eilanden.
I already participated in this start last year, so I won’t go into details. The main innovation of this year - the competitive category included not one, but two circles. So my (and I’m sure many other participants) pleases were heard.
The route looks like this:
Twelve islands between which you need to swim and through which you need to run. And so twice. The only condition was to overcome the first circle in 54 minutes. Last year I finished in 56 minutes, so I was confident in my abilities. Moreover, the competitive category starts separately, which means a smaller sense of water and stairs is expected.
This time, a sports event of a swimming club was held near the venue of the son. Therefore, there was an idea to go with the whole family first there, and then on a pig. While I was competing, they could swim and swim on the SUP. The weather forecast was positive, so the proposal was supported.
In the morning I collected equipment:
By the time of arrival on the islands, the weather was just excellent - sunny, warm water (+ 23 degrees), but a rather strong wind. The festival is in full swing:
I got a starting bag with a chip, serial number (number 3) on my shoulder, changed clothes and went to warm up:
By the appointed time, the people began to get involved in the intended place of start:
That’s just the panton that was jumped from last year was not there. This was the second innovation - the start from the water. Wrinkled a little on the shore, about five minutes before the start, he climbed into the water and took a place, balancing, holding his hand with a clock above the surface of the water:
So it looked from the side:
As you can see, there were quite a few people who wanted to make a double circle. And the audience was also present:
Meanwhile, the organizers are starting to prepare for the reception of the finish lines - they lay out the traditional towels that are given here instead of medals:
Finally, a beep is heard and the competition begins:
The first swimming stage is the longest - 368 meters from the first to the second island. We swim under the bridge:
There is no special little push, although the first 50 meters someone periodically grabbed by the sneakers. Well, before leaving the water, it was also tight. It is quite shallow and 30 meters you can walk or move diving. The water is calm, only in one place between the islands was strongly blown from the lake.
We leave the water:
Now they should be a little dispersed and will be more free.
In addition to the overall results, the organizers measured the swimming time of the first water stage and the time of the first running stage. Separate competitive subcategory.
Well, then everything happened standard - I ran a little, sailed a little, I ran again. Where is 50 meters, where 200. Just go into mode and work. At the running stage, I’ll pick up a couple of people, they will make me in the water, then I’ll overtake me again. With some participants so throughout the first round and micro-compete.
This year’s entrances and exits from the water were more free - without traffic jams. Volunteers stood on each transit, showed in which direction to sail and reminded that they would not jump their heads:
At the exit from the water, they supported those who wanted to give their hands, photographed:
Like last year, it was difficult to focus on which island you were on. There are many stages, there is no time to peer into the compartments on the watch, but you can’t keep it in your head. Only on the tenth island they said - welcome to island 10.
And I had to follow the time: I really wanted to get into the second round, and cut-off time in the announced 54 minutes was inexorably approaching. At the end of the tenth island, it became clear that I did not have time. Although he tried his best. By this time, the weather began to deteriorate, the sky was clouded, and began to periodically drip from somewhere above.
Concluding the last running stage of the first round with time at 59:58, I was surprised to note that at the intersection of “ finish-second circle ” there is no one who should stop those who did not meet the time. One dude whom I complained on the eleventh island that we did not fit, ran to the finish line. I quickly ran into the corridor in the second round. A glass of isotonic and quickly into the water until no one stops.
That’s it, now the race is over with time - you can relax and get high again.
It was interesting where the participants are now, who signed up for one circle: they started five minutes after us, but there are chances to pick up a few people.
Meanwhile, in a few stages ahead, the people enjoy the race: the water is warm, there is no need to rush anywhere, the rescuers are following the safety:
In which case you can always give a signal and take off the distance by rolling on the boat:
But these photos were clearly taken during my first lap. Because after the second run of the first island, the weather decided to make additional adjustments. A very strong wind rose. Waves in some areas were such that it was simply impossible to swim with a roof - either you choke on water, or the body will twist so that you go to feed the sharks. At one of these sites (the fifth floating stage in front of the sixth island), firemen were on duty at the exit from the water, clearly ready for anything.
Despite this, it was much more pleasant to be in the water than on land - although it staggers in the water, it does not blow off the cool wind and whips in the rain.
Here to compare photos from the same place on the first lap:
and in the second round:
On the tenth island, at some point, I thought that I was running last - some girl overtook me just at the exit from the water, but I didn’t see anyone behind me. But after a couple of islands, I finally caught up with my tail and calmed down - not the last.
According to the description, it may seem that the weather ruined everything and the event failed, but just the opposite - these weather difficulties contributed additional diversity and made the process even more high.
But all good things once end. On the penultimate island in the pouring rain, wading through the bushes to overtake a small group of people, jumping into the water. Swim the last meters. I get out on the twelfth island. I notice my son, I give him a gel that carried all the way on his hip under the tricute ( ne came in handy ). I’m running to the finish line. The organizers again direct into the water - the last twenty meters you need to run through the water.
I get a wet towel ( who cares ), I take a glass of water ( either with drinking, or with rain - not a big deal, after a liter of drunk lake ), I bite with a wet cracker and go to a family hiding from the rain in a tree.
We collect things and go to the car:
Results:
- first lap - 00:56:06 ( winner time - 00:39:30 )
- second round - 01:04:43 ( winner time - 00:44:54, quite expected weather difference )
- total time - 02:00:48 ( at the winner - 01:24:23, uh )
- 73rd of 108 participants and 104 finishing
- 16th of 22 in the M40 category
The result is so-so, but I am quite happy with it, given how this sporting year began. Anyway. Well, of course, you need to sometimes swim without wetsuit, shoulder blades and bullet so as not to lose the ability to hold on water and maintain the power of your hands.
Regarding cut-off time, the organizers then replied that they had raised it to 65 minutes. Probably took into account difficult weather conditions.
In general, the holiday was a success. Next year I will register stopudovo. And if they do three circles, I’ll sign up for three!
The day after the start, traces of the bushes appeared:
And the beautiful ( big! ) trophy towel:
Photos with gratitude taken from the site of the organizers. Honor and praise to volunteers with cameras (and without) and separately Diana de Krom, Floor Kerkhof and Shiva Zanoli.
On Facebook you can see small video from the competition.
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