It really was a case of ‘Team’ Trisports last weekend as athletes from the Hitchin-based triathlon club travelled to Gosfield Park in Essex to compete in the British Triathlon Eastern Region Relays.
And ensuring club success on the day, Team Trisports Development Squad athletes Gemma Sargent and Katy Jinks finished in a superb 2nd place in the Women’s Open event along with team mate Kate Turner.
The event, which consisted of three person teams competing over a sprint distance race of 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run, provided a more social and relaxed atmosphere than the usual intense affair that comes with racing as an individual and allowed friends and family, as well as athletes, the chance to enjoy the occasion and the great weather the event was blessed with.
In fact, the weather proved so good that the race was declared a non-wetsuit swim - which provided a great moment of humour as a few hundred jaws collectively hit the ground upon hearing the announcement!
With the club submitting no less than 14 teams, there was plenty of opportunity to cheer on a team mate or loved one as the various teams, all named after an amusing World Cup theme, completed the swim-swim-swim, bike-bike-bike, run-run-run race format.
Despite the temperature and unfamiliar race format, everyone involved gave their all in what proved to be a fantastic day for all those involved in the Team Trisports set up.
On the same day, Rob Wilson raced at The Bananaman Triathlon at Dorney Lakes and finished a fantastic 6th overall out of more than 370 competitors and 1st in the 40-44 Age Group. Wilson’s time over the unusual race distance of 800m swim, 30km bike and 7.5km run was a lightning fast 1:34:33.
There was even more success on Sunday as Ian Mackerness finished 2nd overall at the Box End Sprint Triathlon in a great time of 1:13:02. Also competing were Andrew Chadwick (1:27:41) and Graham Perry (1:33:53).
A week earlier Rachel Armstrong raced at the Shropshire Olympic Distance Triathlon in blisteringly hot conditions and in the process achieved her ambition of once again qualifying for Great Britain Age Group representation. Setting a great time of 2:27:13, Armstrong not only qualified but also finished an excellent 5th in her Age Group.