My First Triathlon

They say you only really understand someone else’s reality when you walk in their shoes. Or in my case run in their trainers!

This summer Chichester Triathlon Club raised a fantastic £317 for Children on the Edge through two local Junior Triathlon events.

The first event in May was a Mini Triathlon, involving a 50m swim, 5km bike ride and 1km run. Assured it was an event for novices, I decided to sign up and rope in the whole family!

I admit to a few nerves as the event date approached. I started to wonder if I should not have booked in a service for my aged bike, and whether our more beach than tri swimmers would cut the mustard!

Thankfully I had nothing to worry about, as the event was perfect for those new to triathlon.  Run in the beautiful grounds of Westbourne House School, the event was relaxed, well-organised and lots of fun.

RACE DAY

We started with the swim, where each family had a lane of the pool to swim two lengths. Then a quick change into our running kit, and we were signposted in the right direction by a fantastic team of Tri Club and Children on the Edge volunteers, cheering us on along the way. 

Locating our four bikes, we set off on our 5km ride around the school field. When little legs started to flag, we were fueled by the encouragement of the volunteers marking out the course and a final 1km run saw us to the finish line where medals and sweets awaited us.

After the event spectators and participants enjoyed picnics in the sunshine and we treated ourselves to excellent coffee and pizza from the pizza van to celebrate.

It was a brilliant experience to step into the shoes of so many Children on the Edge supporters who take part in challenge events every year to raise funds for some of the most marginalised children to live, play and thrive in our colourful learning spaces. It was also an unusual opportunity to enjoy a sporting event as a whole family, rather than half of us standing on the sidelines!

I am so grateful to the fantastic team at Chichester Triathlon Club, and the Children on the Edge volunteers for putting on such a fun event and for the money raised through ticket sales, which will make a huge difference for the 15,500 children worldwide who we support.