I had really looked forward to finish the season competing in Wasdale Triathlon - arguably the world's hardest half ironman distance race (see description from the race organizer below).

Unfortunately we were hit by the worst possible weather! Torrential rain, flooded roads, potholes covered by water making it dangerous going fast or descending from Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass, 70+ mph winds, zero visibility in the mountains.

The 6.30 am race briefing was moved to 7.30 am and we were told that the swim would be cancelled and the race converted to a much shorter duathlon. Eventually the race was cancelled completely.

Did I forget to mention that the weather was almost perfect the days leading up to the race, and the day after it was good again? Not sure what we had done to deserve it! Anyhow, with a season consisting of 5 full Ironman races, 2 half Ironman, Wiggle Dragon Ride and various other races I wasn't too bothered about the cancellation - but I feel sorry for the guys who had been training for Wasdale for months - only to see it cancelled.

Better luck in 2013!

Race description:

Wasdale Half Iron Distance Triathlon. The Worlds hardest Half Iron Triathlon set beneath the towering cliffs of Wasdale Screes in the English Lake District.

Wastwater, the Lake District, is where the day begins with a 1.2mile swim in the deepest and coldest lake in the British Isles.

Incorporating the fearsome twin passes of Hardknott and Wrynose, covering 56 miles and climbing 7,217 vertical feet, the bike ride is taxing/hard enough for the most avid cyclist. But it's the 13.1 mile run over Scafell and Scafell Pike, with a total ascent of 4,583 feet that will separate the best from the rest. It's not so much the total ascent that will hurt, although no other Half Iron has as much vertical climbing, it is in fact the severity of the ascents that will cause the damage. Both Hardnott and Wrynose average out at 25% but it's the 33% sections that inflict the deepest pain. And the organisers of WASDALE expect you to climb both passes, both directions.

There's no let up in the run either. The beast is beautiful. Traversing the infamous corridor route to the summit of Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain before the short drop into Mickledoor and rising up through Foxes Ghyll to summit Scafell, Englands Second highest mountain. The Landscape is dramatic with towering cliffs, rock strewn summits and deep ravines, competitors will feel like they have wandered into a set from Lord of the Rings not entered the worlds hardest half iron tri.

This is your personal Battle Of Helm's Deep. SWIM 1.2 mile BIKE 56 miles 7,217 feet RUN 13.1 miles 4,583 feet No other race compares to the severity of WASDALE. You will suffer. Be warned! ?