Since September 2011 Mr Broadbent and Mr Jones have run a triathlon ECA to help the school’s growing group of triathletes prepare for the year’s races. By November the athletes were ready and the pressure was on to provide a safe, fun and challenging course for them to test our mettle.

This first triathlon was kept to a small scale to help with the organisation, but the event itself was planned to run as though there were double the number of competitors taking part. The idea being there would as few surprises as possible when larger numbers of athletes are on the course.

It was still dark on Sunday the 27^th November when the course was being laid and,as the sun came up, it was greeted by the fluttering of yellow tape and ranks of orderly cones. The first athletes arrived early bringing with them a buzzing excitement that centred around the registration table. Scores of would-be triathletes lined up to have their number inked onto their arms and legs. After the excitement of the registration table came the nerves. However, the majority of the nerves seemed to belong to the parents.

The under 8’s went off in two waves, with three minutes separating the first and second group. They were out of the pool in a flash, as they reached transition to frantically pull on their shoes and shirts the crowd of parents, fellow athletes and supporters erupted into noise. The bike course was completed in a very short space of time with the run being the deciding discipline. Young Antonio Carvalho crossed the line first, but he would have to wait until the first of the second group of athletes finished before the final places could be confirmed. In the end he was pipped into second place by Elliot Pate.

The 9-10 age group also started in a single wave. Again the short swim was completed in a very quick time with many of the competitors emerging from the water at the same time. Small gaps began to appear in the transition as some were able to make it onto their bikes very quickly while others struggled with shoes and socks. The lead changed several times during both the bike and the run, Max Allwright took the lead in the last 100m and was able to stay ahead of the pack all the way to the finish.

The 11-13 category was again split into two waves. With the older athletes going first and those in Year 6 starting three minutes later in the second wave. This was a very competitive race, two athletes had unfortunate accidents on the bike leg, with Joseph Pate showing great mental strength to pick himself up and carry on. Unfortunately the other athlete was unable to finish due to injury and mechanical problems with the bike. Anne Zimmer was the first over the line, but again she would have to wait until the first athlete in the second group crossed the line. Once again the second group seemed to have been inspired to chase the leaders, Alard Schroeder finished in first place.

The final race of the day was also the toughest. There were lots of nerves as the 14 – 16 age group lined up to start their 500m swim. Till Hoelzer – competing in his first triathlon - swam a brilliant 500m to exit the water first with the chasing pack a minute or two behind. His lead began to shrink as the experienced Charlie Johnson and Max Zimmer aimed for his back wheel. The three boys ran side by side for the first lap of the run with Charlie pulling away from the other two at the start of the second lap. He looked comfortable from then on and finished the eventual winner. Max Zimmer showed everyone how to finish by sprinting the last 60m or so and Ebbe Borg had a tremendous run, just pipping Till to third place. It was a great race to end the day on.

It was a great event from start to finish because of the attitude of all of the competitors. Each athlete was given a great applause as they crossed the line to claim the right to be called a triathlete.

Thanks

The organisers would like to thank Mr Johnson, Mrs Zimmer, Mrs Baxtrem and Mrs Shepherd for helping to marshal. Mr Jones, Mr Kelly and Mr Broadbent for time keeping and lap counting and Mr Kyle Gong for helping with the safety arrangements.

By Samuel Thorley, PE Teacher