Children eschew a lie-in to tackle Twyford’s triathlon
MORE than 200 children got up early on Saturday morning to swim, cycle and run their way around a Twyford playing field.
Children came from as far afield as Southampton and Bicester to take part in the Twyford Kids Triathlon, organised by Barnes Fitness and Twyford Together as part of the Triathlon England South Central Junior Series, at Polehampton Junior School, in Kibblewhite Crescent.
Supported by marshals from the Reading Rascals Junior Triathlon Club, the children were broken down into four age categories: TriStar Starts (eight); TriStars 1 (nine and 10); TriStars 2 (11 and 12); and TriStars 3 (13 and 14), to complete various set courses.
The TriStar Starts completed a 50m swim followed by an 800m cycle and 600m; the TriStars 1 swam for 150m, cycled for 1.6km and ran for 1.2km; the TriStars 2 swam for 200m, cycled for 3.2km and ran for 1.8km; while TriStars 3 swam 300m, cycled 4.8km and ran 2.4km.
Ozzy Beswick was the fastest TriStar Starts back in a time of 8:31,13, while Ella Whitmarsh was the fastest girl in 9:51,47.
The TriStars 1 was won by William Blount in a time of 15:03,97, while Anna Patterson represented the girls with a time of 15:41,67.
George Mahon won the TriStars 2 event with a time of 21:15,05, with Sonja De Koning coming back as first girl in 21:51,90.
Finally, the TriStars 3 race was won by Daniel Roberts with a time of 27:19,68, with Madeline Grace Cooper showing up for the girls with a time of 29:05,62.
Organiser Ellie Barnes said: “It was tough conditions for the youngsters with 30ºC heat – but that didn’t put anyone off from trying their very best.
“We're very grateful to our sponsors; Lexus Reading, Zone3, Interserve, Twyford Parish Council, Polehampton Swimming Association, Ballards and Twyford Youth Centre.”