Triathlon triumphs over adversity

Club press spokeswoman Andrea Etheridge said: “After weeks of sunshine the weather turned, and though remaining dry it became very blustery with a choppy sea.

“Following many, many conversations and phone calls involving our safety director, swim directors, Hastings Lifeguards and the Sailing Club, we reluctantly had to cancel the swim section for safety’s sake.

“Entries were consequently down on last year, but we were still delighted that 260 competitors turned up on the day, including 16 young athletes and two paratriathletes, and that among the entrants were 45 Bexhill residents.

“More than 100 people from the Lions and other local orgamisations were involved in putting on the event, and it was just disappointing that we couldn’t go ahead with the sea swim.”

It meant the Triathlon effectively became a Duathlon, with cycling and running as the two disciplines tested.

For adults this meant a five kilometre run, a 20km cycle test, and then a final 2km run. For 13 to 16 year olds, both runs were of 2km.

Bexhill mayor Stuart Wood was up early to start each wave of runners and to present some of the prizes, while another VIP guest was the Lions’ Vice District Governor, Frank Lees.

Andrea said: “A huge thank you must go to Rother District Council, St Richard’s Catholic College, our many sponsors, youth groups, local businesses and others who helped with donations, gifts in kind and voluntary effort to make the day go as well as it did.

“It was encouraging to find through a competitor survey that 90 per cent hope to be back next year, 87 per cent rated the experience excellent or good, and 85 per cent were newcomers.

“Next year’s Triathlon will be held on Sunday, June 17, possibly including an Olympic distance event.”