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A major feat of logistics and coordination ensured another successful Chiltern Junior Triathlon on Sunday at Chesham Leisure Centre.
The event, organized by Chiltern Harriers, Chesham Swimming Club and Amersham Tristars, is a taster event for youngsters to try out the sport for the first time, but also allows more seasoned athletes to show their prowess. Many competitors were from the three host clubs, but there were also representatives of Amersham Swimming Club, Jetstream Tri Club, Vale of Aylesbury AC and Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC amongst others, making some fascinating and hotly contested races.
A total of 158 children competed, ranging from 7 and 8 year olds to 16 year olds. All three elements of the races were able to be completed despite the recent heavy rainfall, the bike leg having to be shortened to avoid standing water on one of the proposed routes.
In the 8 year old race, Charles Page was the boys' winner, Laura Weatherall the leading girl. The 9-10 age group race proved the most popular of the day, with 37 girl finishers and 32 boys. Girls' champion was Laura Johnstone, closely followed by Amersham Tristars' Alice Hall and Mia Poplawski. Charlie Smee was the boys' winner with Chiltern Harriers' Bill Hughes second and Harry Goss third. Girls' winning team was Elangenistars comprising Alice Hall, Connie Lewis and Katie Jakeman; boys team victors were Matthew Hull, Harry Pollard and Hamish Blackwood - The Jellyfish.
Jetstream Tri Club dominated the girls 11-12 race with Katy Partington a convincing winner with clubmate Katie Metalli second. Completing their team victory was Rachel McCann in 17th. Individual boys winner was Kieran Wye of Amersham Tristars, followed by Chiltern's Robert Hughes and Tim Warr third. The team boys prize went to JAM - Max Elphick, Andrew Moore and James Woodhead.
Fewer athletes contested the older age categories and the 13-14 and 15-16 groups were run at the same time. Ben Millican won the boys race and Lauren Wye the girls in the 13-14 group, team girls prize going to the Good, the Bad, the Ugly - Lauren with Katherine Shaw and Sophie Elphick (the team did not specify which was which).
Three boys and three girls linked to Chesham Swimming Club fought out the 15-16 age race with Conor Dunne leading boy and Jasmin Ballingall victorious girl : the boys team - Chesham Flyers - managing to defeat the girls - The Bettys.
Prizes were presented by Mayor Merrin Molesworth and Jeremy Ryman of Chiltern District Council.
The event showed we have some very capable multi-sports athletes locally with much promise in the younger age groups.
Steve Perkin