Katie Hewison triumphs at 2011 ITU Duathlon World Championships
Created On: 26 September 2011
Katie Hewison (nee Ingram) was crowned ITU Duathlon World Champion last weekend in Gijon, Spain winning her first world title since coming into the sport from British Triathlon's trigold programme in 2009.
Hewison who graduated onto the UK Sport Lottery funded World Class Programme in 2010 proved to be the strongest competitor throughout the race, riding and running with the lead group the duration of the 10km run, 40km bike and final 5km run.
Hewison commented: "I had a lot of injuries last year, and wasn't able to train much, so this is a fantastic result for me," Hewison said. "I'm really, really happy."
Last year's silver medallist, Sandra Levenez (FRA) looked in commanding form leading from the start, although her decision to sit back on the bike provided the opportunity for the chase group to work together and prepare for the final run.
As the athletes exited T2, Hewison pushed ahead establishing a nine-second lead after the first two laps. Levenez followed with Jenny Schulz (GER), before the German made a last ditch attempt at glory racing past Hewison in the final kilometre.
However, Hewison has always been a tough competitor since coming into the sport from mountain fell running back in 2009 and used her determination to bridge the gap in the final 50m and take gold in a winning time of 02:02.45. Jenny Shultz was two seconds back in 02:02.47 and Sandra Levenez finished third in 02:02.54.
Richard Hobby was the highest placed GE Great Britain Team athlete in the elite men's race finishing seventh with Phil Wylie just behind in ninth. Mark Buckingham finished in 21st position.
In the U23 men's race, current trigold athlete Matt Gunby retained his silver medal won in Edinburgh in 2010, finishing in 01:51.40, behind winner Etienne Diemunsch (FRA) who crossed the line in 01:50.36.
In the junior women's race, Georgina Schwiening finished fourth and Rhys Park finished eighth in the men's event.
