FORT SIMPSON - When measured against some of the top duathletes from around the world, Chris Stipdonk has again proven he can hold his own.

Chris Stipdonk grabs a quick drink of water while running the first 10 kilometres of the European Duathlon Championship in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo courtesy of Paul Stipdonk Photo courtesy of Paul Stipdonk

Stipdonk, a resident of Fort Simpson, raced in the European Duathlon Championship in Edinburgh, Scotland on June 16.

Instead of racing in his age category, Stipdonk took on a new challenge by entering the elite men category. Most racers in this category are in their late twenties or early thirties and are professional athletes. They enter the races to make money, said Stipdonk.

"The elite class is quite a big step from the age group," he said.

Even with the new challenge, Stipdonk placed an impressive 35th out of 54 duathletes in the class.

"The race went well," he said.

When the big day arrived the athletes were faced with good Scottish weather - it was rainy and cold.

After a mass start, the athletes ran the 10-kilometre phase of the race.

"I ran fairly well," said Stipdonk.

The course wound through some streets and even an underground tunnel. The running course was long making times really slow, he said.

Following the first running section, the athletes took to their bikes for a 40-kilometre section that wound around and up and down a mountain. Due to the humid weather, at the top of the mountain visibility was cut to 75 metres by fog.

"I was feeling really well on the bike," he said.

While on his bike, Stipdonk caught up with a group that had previously been a minute ahead of him during the run. The group composed of one Spanish, one Canadian and two Irish duathletes proved to be a hindrance. The athletes didn't want to work together to catch the next group ahead, said Stipdonk.

Then disaster struck.

During the last bike lap the group was rounding a traffic circle when the other Canadian athlete in front of Stipdonk wiped out on the wet pavement.

Because he was racing right behind, Stipdonk crashed into the fallen bicycle entangling his into it. With the two bikes tangled together approximately six spectators ran out to try and disconnect the bikes.

While this was happening, Stipdonk said he watched his group climb a hill and disappear around the mountain. The crash cost him a few positions.

"It took away some good time," he said.

Back on his bike, Stipdonk worked hard to make up lost time. During the last lap on his bike and the next five-kilometre run, he said he made up approximately 30 seconds, bringing him to within 20 seconds of the last athlete in the group he'd been biking with before the accident.

Stipdonk finished with a race time of 2 hours, 11 minutes and 45 seconds.

Despite the setback from the crash, Stipdonk said he was pleased with his performance. He noted that at 21, he still has many years to improve his standing in the elite category.

In September, Stipdonk will be racing in Canada at the National Duathlon Championships in Parry Sound, Ont.