Video: Jersey Triathlon inspires Big Brother winner to set his sights on an Ironman

Monday 11 July 2016

The winner of the first series of the reality tv show Big Brother, and last year’s Mr Battle, Craig Phillips, says he’s elated at having successfully competed in Sunday’s Jersey Triathlon.

But, instead of calling it a day, it’s now inspired him to take on an even bigger challenge: an ironman.

The 44-year-old finished 37^th in the Jersey Sprint event in a time of 2 hours 21 minutes. It was the first time he’d ever taken part in an open water sea swim, something he described as both “exhilarating” and “frightening”. It took him just over 20 minutes to complete the 750m triangular course laid out in St Aubin’s Bay in the shadow of  Elizabeth Castle. The 40km cycle – his favourite event – took just over 1 hour 12 minutes. And the final leg, a 5km run, around 45 minutes.

But, he wasn’t just doing it as a challenge. He’s the patron of Les Amis a Jersey-based charity which supports Islanders with learning disabilities and / or associated conditions. As he explained: “I have completed a few triathlons in the UK so when I heard about the Jersey Triathlon, I quickly added it to my ‘Must Do’ list. Over the last year and a half, since I became Patron of Les Amis, I have come to love Jersey and its people.”

The distance was longer than any other triathlon he’s ever competed in, and the rough sea, and pouring rain added to the challenge. But he says the crowds urged him on: “The support from everyone here is fantastic. That really gees you along. Luckily lots of people here know my name so they were shouting ‘come on Craig. Come on Craig.’ So it’s brilliant. Really brilliant.”

In an interview shortly after crossing the line he said he’d like to come back to the Island to take part in the longer Olympic event. And then to go on to a half ironman and eventually a full ironman: a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) cycle, and a full marathon 26.2 miles (42.16 km).