Junior Triathlon

Sunday 6th July 2008

Click on photos to enlarge - use browser back button to return Pictures by Steve Perkin

Despite heavy rain the Chiltern Junior Triathlon was another success on Sunday at Chesham Leisure Centre and Chesham High School fields. Over 150 children ranging from 8 to 16 braved the conditions, many competing at the sport for the first time. This was the thirteenth running of the competition organised by Chiltern Harriers, Chesham Swimming Club and Amersham Tristars.

The day was particularly successful for the Hughes and Barraclough families who both scored an amazing hat-trick of wins.

The first event of the day was the Age 8 boys and Peter Hughes was the runaway winner, looking strong in all three elements of the race. In second and third places were William and Andrew Burr respectively. They, together with team mate Auther Summer, took the team prize as 'The Tigers'.

Lizzie Barraclough was the winner of the Age 8 girls competition with Sophie Morton second and Amber Hunt third. The team win went to 'Fenton Ferraris' consisting of Caroline Lathem, Nadine Eliasson and Ela Tandon.

The Age 9-10 races were the most popular of the day with over 30 competitors in each event. The boys race was won by Peter's brother Bill Hughes, a powerful run bringing him home ahead of Will Perkin in second and Benjamin Smith in third. The team prize went to 'The Comical Brothers', made up of Bill, Will and 4th placed Robert Hall. They just held off 'BenChEd' consisting of Benjamin, Charles Page and Edward Mundy.

Hannah Morton won the girls Age 9-10 race with, in joint second place Lauren Weatherall and Emily Heslop. The team win for this race was hotly contested by 7 teams, 'The Lightening Bolts' - Orla Fawcett, Emily Bench and Amy Fawcett - holding out for victory.

The 11-12 boys race made it a hat-trick for the Hughes boys with Robert Hughes winning by just 19 seconds from Max Elphick in second. Third place went to Charlie Beard and team winners were Andrew Stenning, Joshua Simpson, and Toby Jones - 'Storm Force 111'.

Experienced triathlete Emma Barraclough emulated her sister with a win in the girls Age 11-12 race, winning comfortably from Harriet Hollis second and Connie Lewis third. Team winners were 'The Three Amphibians' - Katie Bench, Abigail Thornton and Anna Heslop.

The boys Age 13-14 winner was Dan Barraclough, completing the family's day with a convincing win. Ben Hall was second and Jack Beard third. For the girls 13-14 race, Freya Tate came in for victory ahead of Zoe Fowler and Clara Birkby, and the 15-16 Age group saw Alastair Dawson first, Keil Critten second and, in the girls event, Kate Mitchell first, Heidi Loveland second.

Prizes were presented by Jeremy Ryman of Chiltern District Council for the second year running in wet conditions. Maybe next year will bring some sunshine.