CWTC

400m Pool Swim, 25.5km Bike, 5km run

4 members of the club took part in the Mid Sussex sprint triathlon at Burgess Hill early on Sunday morning. With perfect weather conditions, the day began with a 4.30am alarm clock, car packed and we were on our way by 5.15am to arrive for a 6am registration and 6.45am briefing session. It was the first time all 4 had entered this particular race, and it was also Dave’s first for the season following his lengthy hamstring injury, as well as Ellie’s very first triathlon in which she managed to keep secret for so long!

Paul was first to start his swim in the 25m indoor pool, and each having to zig-zag through the lanes ducking under the ropes after every 2 lengths to reach the final exit lane. Dave, Lizzie and Ellie then followed in race number order. A short run to transition in the tennis courts, was quickly followed by a fairly challenging rolling 25.5km bike ride, with a gradual uphill climb near the start lasting for 2.5km, before finally covering some downhill sections thereafter. Then back to transition and the start of the run which was a flat out and back route through local country lanes. A halfway road crossing point required marshals to give the all clear before crossing, otherwise it would incur a 4 min penalty if ignored. This was then revisited again on the return leg. Dave also had to contend with a large brown rat running across him at this point too, which incurred no penalty and the rat was unharmed! Then it was a final 2km run back to the centre to the finish line. Lizzie came 3^rd in her age group, and Ellie set herself a very rewarding first PB – Well done Ellie! A nice race to do again next year, and all entries were entitled to free downloads to the photographs taken by Sussex Sports Photography!

Report by David Kitt

CWTC Team