Mid Sussex Triathlon 12th June
The annual and very popular Mid Sussex Sprint Triathlon was held on Sunday 12th June in fine sunny weather at The Triangle Leisure Centre, Burgess Hill.
The event has been running for over 20 years and mainly attracts entrants from the RH and BN postcode areas and South London. However some entrants come from further afield, particularly if they have friends or family in the local area.
It is a really sociable event run by the club members who set up and marshall the course. It is known as a very friendly event suitable for beginners and experienced triathletes and involves a 400m pool swim, a 25km bike ride and a 5km run. It attracted nearly 200 participants this year.
The event was won by couple Thomas Percy (1.07.04) and Vicky Lee (1.16.17), with excellent times to take home the overall male and female winners’ trophies. Chris Turner was 2nd in 1.12.04 and Emily Lillywhite Iredale 2nd lady in 1.18.38.
The club were delighted to receive some very enthusiastic feedback including this from one from one entrant:
It was my first time doing a triathlon and I was absolutely terrified but every marshal and competitor that I came across was so lovely and helpful. I had
a really great time and really appreciated all the support from the marshals and that it was such an inclusive event. I didn't for a second feel like I didn't belong despite not having a clue what I was doing!
The well posted bike route was also incredible - I had nightmares of getting lost but it was practically impossible (even for the navigationally challenged people like myself!)
The British Triathlon Federation's report on the event scored it as excellent, commenting that all aspects of the organisation of the event, eg participant information, registration, safety, signing and marshalling etc were well organised. Furthermore competitors gave only positive feedback with everyone enjoying their race with plenty of smiley faces seen. Even though quite a few competitors were novices, there were plenty of friendly marshalls available to answer questions, and competitors commented that that they felt well supported throughout the event, despite feeling as if they didn't know what they were doing!
One of the main sponsors is Hurstpierpoint College. Their student rock band also provided a particularly enjoyable atmosphere at the finish line like a summer morning athletic party.