On Sunday 12th June the Mid Sussex Triathlon Club held its annual Sprint Triathlon and Aquabike at The Triangle Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill.
The event attracted entries from all over the South East with 238 competitors in the Triathlon and 22 in the Aquabike. The Sprint Triathlon involves a pool swim of 400m, followed by a 25km bike ride around a circuit which includes Ansty, Wineham and Twineham, finishing back at the Triangle, and finally there is a 5km run. Gary Leybourne of South London Harriers Tri Club was first home in 1hr 2mins 28 secs, with Luke Worthington of Surrey Tri Club second in 1hr 4 mins and 04 secs. Fiona Blagg of Crawley Tri Club was the first woman home and 26th overall, in 1hr 15mins 17 secs.
The Aquabike event entries were dominated by 10 members of the Crystal Palace Triathletes Club. Jeremy Purnell was first home in 47mins 44secs, with Cathy Cooke, also of Crystal Palace Triathletes, being the first woman home in 53 mins. In this event the 5km run is omitted.
The weather was rather wet; however most competitors appeared to enjoy the day. Feedback from past events has indicated that this is a very friendly Triathlon, which is marshalled by members of the club. Team Oathall, comprising 12 teachers from Oathall School in Haywards Heath, indicated that they all had a great race and would be back next year for sure. They congratulated the club for putting on such an enjoyable event. Two Triathlon competitors were stranded with punctures out on the far reaches of the bike course and faced a long walk back to the Triangle. However they were rescued by the MSTC roaming mechanic, who fixed their punctures so that they could complete the triathlon safely.
Klara Boarder was the first Mid Sussex Tri Club member home, in 1hr 33mins 20 secs; she commented that she had had a blast.