The Hannah Trust Triathlon Sunday 17th July 2011
Having decided that this year I really wanted to have a go at this triathlon we set off at 7.30 to make the trip to Horsham, leaving dad to compete in the Chichester Triathlon. Despite competing in the Chichester Aquathon on Saturday and coming second in that event I was feeling ok. We arrived in good time to rain! The surroundings were fantastic, what a school! The extensive grounds combined with the grand buildings were both inspiring and a bit intimidating.
I was joined by Sam Pink ( Tri-Star 2), his brother Harry doing his first Novice Tri , Tom ( Tri-Star 3) and Emma Maynard and Harry Leleu (Youth) for this event, which is part of the S E series.
It was all very confusing when we arrived with very few marshals around and even fewer directions which stressed out Mum! There was lots of pre race exercise for everyone (parents) as we tried to find registration, walked (miles) to the pool and back to the racking area then back to the pool. The racking was strange as the bikes were racked on one side for the Bike Out and then on the other side of the courtyard for Bike In. Following the swim in a pool with two shallow ends, we had to negotiate a long run to transition which included a short steep wet grassy incline before saddling up to race round the school’s traffic free roads on which sleeping policemen lay in wait for the unwary cyclist, and back through the magnificent arches and then at last to the run course on zig zag course in a very wide open space which was a bit dispiriting as there was no clear goal. Mum just managed to catch up with me from the bike transition as I was on the home leg.
I ended up coming 8th in my age group in a time of 21.57.70 it was a very strong field with some excellent swimmers and runners. My swim was really good but the swim time included the 300 m run to transition! Sam also did extremely well coming 3rd.
Despite the black skies and the initial rain when we arrived, it remained dry for the Tri-Stars 1 and 2, we were just leaving when the rain started so unfortunately Tom Harry and Emma had to compete in the rain.
Photos can be seen by using this link: http://www.bodyworksxtcphotos.co.uk/Preston%20Park
Full results are on the Bodyworks website: http://teambodyworksxtc.com/the-hannah-trust-triathlon.php
By Adam Long ( Tri-Star 1)