Team Arran races to a top three position
The Arran Junior Triathlon Club (AJTC) competed at a national level last weekend and raced against more than 400 of the best young triathletes in Scotland to secure a top three finish and a place on the Scottish team.
With the team racing for the first time in the club colours and new racing bikes to suit, they were full of nerves and excitement but ready to see how they would stand up against the best. Team Arran in their new colours, thanks to sponsors Auchrannie Spa Resort, Old Byre Visitor Centre, Filtec WC, Arran Cheese Shop, A Team and Arran Active, managed to obtain one of the best suits at the nationals which was noticed by the commentator on the day.
The day began with the club checking in and placing their bikes and kit into transition, then a quick walk of the course before the final preparations.
AJTC were off to a good start when the Tri Star race began with the youngest triathlete Rhea Webster coming third in her age group (seven to eight years) and the first podium finish for AJTC. Not only that but she posted the fastest transitions with her 25-second bike/run transition split and the second fastest bike split.
Next the team then entered Tri Star 1 girls (nine to 10 years) which had Beth McCarthy finishing 17th, Ruby Wright 18th and Abby Stewart finishing 26th, with all three girls producing excellent run times.
Tri Star 1 boys then took to the course and representing AJTC, Ruaridh Lindsay-Smith finished 10th, Archie Gunaydi finished 13th and Myles Lindsay-Smith finished 29th, all three boys posting very competitive bike and run splits.
They then moved to Tri Star 2 (11 to 12) where the competition heats up with the average training hours for an 11-year-old triathlete being around eight hours a week. Julie Hamill finished 20th, Erin McNiven finished 25th and Isla McKelvie finished 24th. Isla posted one of the fastest T2 and run times in her age group.
The Tri Star 2 boys saw James McCarthy finishing 16th and only three minutes outside of a podium place. James has only just started training with the club five months ago and coach Craig Wood said: ‘If I was to lay my cards on the line, with hard work dedication and commitment, James could be one of the best triathletes Arran has seen and maybe one day a future ArranMan in the making.’
Tri Star 3 girls are a very competitive age group as these girls are not only training with the club but also racking up the miles on their own, before and after school.
T2 is full of carbon bikes and aero wheels and the times that these girls post would scare most age group triathletes with both girls finishing a 300m swim, 10km cycle and a 2.5km run in 35 minutes. Ciara Wood finished 21st and Eilidh Hamill 22nd. These two girls are also heavily involved in helping to train the younger children in the club.
Finally, in the youth category (15 to 17), not only is a position on the podium available but sponsorship and scholarships can also be secured. This is also where most children drop out of the sport. Not Kirsty Kerr, though. She decided to give triathlons a go when most athletes who have been training for years for small second gains in performance levels and times are competing.
Kirsty who has just started her journey, finished in 16th position.
Coach Craig Wood added: ‘I have no doubt that the times that Kirsty reaches will drop drastically over the next few years as she is just starting on that triathlon curve.
‘I asked her at the end of the race if she thought that it was difficult to which she replied yes but then after a couple of deep breaths, and with a smile, she said, “But I enjoyed it”. This is a young lady whom the rest of the club can look up to and the very reason why I started AJTC,’ Craig said.
Anyone between the ages of seven and 16 can take part in the triathlon club by contacting Craig Wood at isleofarrantriathlon@outlook.com.