The first team triathlon event for school children has been hosted by Try A Tri and Guernsey Triathlon Club.
The event, held at St Sampson’s High School on Friday afternoon, saw 13 primary and secondary schools taking part with 225 children competing from Years 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Laura Fry, Try A Tri Co-Owner and Head Coach had helped to organise it.
“Try A Tri and Guernsey Triathlon wanted to create an event that opened triathlon to more children,” she said. “The schools’ Tri event is unique because year groups 5, 6, 7 and 8 take part in teams of four. They can be mixed teams of boys and girls, and they can even share a bike.”
She explained that the distances are kept short intentionally so that more children feel like they can give the swim, bike, and run legs a go in a really fun, inclusive way. And that when they first sent out the invites to schools in January, they hoped it would attract something in the region of 50 children.
“With 225 kids taking part in this first year, the scale of the event, and the logistics involved, have evolved rapidly. Fortunately the triathlon community on island is thriving so we have 40 volunteers, including the Island Games squad, ready to help deliver a safe and fun event.”
Reuben Brock and Jack Biggins, Beechwood Year 6 students, who took part said “it was very tiring, but fun.
“It wasn’t all that difficult, but running was hardest as it was the last event,” said Reuben (11).
T-shirts and medals given to each participant on the day, were provided by the Leonard Acott Foundation and Fort Group.
Laura Wilson, a Year 6 parent said: “We’ve been so impressed with the organisation of the event, and the size of the turnout. Just seeing how many children have taken part and how many schools have come together for this day is just brilliant.”
Mr Gearoid Lee, Head of Physical Education at St Sampson’s said: “The turnout has just been amazing. A huge thank you to the dedicated organisers and volunteers, in particular Amy Critchlow and Laura Fry who have worked tirelessly to create this wonderful opportunity for our pupils on the island to get involved in and enjoy this challenge!”
“We’ve been inspired by what Guernsey Athletics have created with the Zedra Cross Country event and know that these schools events help open up sports to more children which is our aim for Triathlon,” said Ms Fry.
Try A Tri Guensey, a not for profit community organisation, has delivered events and low-cost training for more than 2000 people in Guernsey since it launched in 2015, by co-owners and head coaches, Amy Critchlow and Laura Fry.
The community has been going 10 years and now is starting its junior offering with training available between 16:00 and 18:00 on Fridays at St Sampson’s High School.
Email hello@tryatriguernsey.org to find out more.