Hampstead Heath Duathlon is a splash hit

03 September 2012

The 14th annual Hampstead Heath Duathlon took place yesterday (Sunday 2 September) – and for the 14th consecutive year the rain stayed away as competitors undertook a gruelling test of swimming and running prowess, incorporating all three swimming Ponds and the Parliament Hill Lido.

The men’s race was won by William Rittenhouse of CSCSC Mango – which topped the team standings - in a time of 32mins and 24secs. Helen Close of CSCSC Purple led the field in the women’s race coming home in 36mins and 11secs.  Both winners were presented with the coveted Duathlon Cup and the event raised over £125 for Hampstead Heath’s Rookie Rangers Wildlife Club.

The competition started at 9.30am at Parliament Hill Fields Lido where solo competitors and team members each swam three lengths of the pool (180m).  They then ran 800m to the Men’s Pond and swam a complete 360m circuit before running 600m to the Ladies’ Pond to complete a 220m circuit- then heading 1.5km to the Mixed Pond for the final 120m lap. The last leg involved an 800m sprint back to the finishing line at the athletics track.

Some of the teams that took part in this year’s event - organised by the City of London Corporation - included local outfit the Doggy Paddlers as well as professional groups like the Highgate Harriers and Tri for Fitness.

Paul Maskell, Leisure Manager at Hampstead Heath, said:

"The Hampstead Heath Duathlon is a totally unique race that makes use of the fantastic facilities available here. It was great to see the participants and spectators thoroughly enjoy themselves as the Heath played a part in this summer’s sporting celebrations.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. Media enquiries
   Sanjay Odedra, Senior Media Officer, City of London Corporation
   T 020 7332 1835 / M 07831 542 856
   E sanjay.odedra@cityoflondon.gov.uk
2. About the City of London Corporation
   The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation. It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in international finance and business services and provides local services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and London Metropolitan Archive; education (including three independent schools and sponsor of three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and the City of London Corporation’s charity, the City Bridge Trust, makes grants of more than £15 million annually to charitable projects in London.
3. About Hampstead Heath
   Hampstead Heath is the collective name for Parliament Hill and Golders Hill, a total of 791 acres (320 hectares). The Heath is situated just four miles from the centre of London and falls within two London boroughs, Camden and Barnet. The City of London Corporation has managed all of Hampstead Heath, apart from the Kenwood area, since 1989, and has a long established policy of protecting open spaces in and around London for the enjoyment of the public, at no cost to the local ratepayer.​