FORMULA One ace Jenson Button saw success on the track yesterday, but there were no high-tech cars involved, just 500 triathletes being put through their paces at Luton Hoo for charity.
Competitors from the UK and abroad gathered at the country estate for the annual Jenson Button Trust Triathlon, to help raise funds for Help for Heroes, a charity which helps those wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.
A spokesman for events company Human Race said that 2,000 people attended yesterday’s (Sunday) triathlon.
Jenson also competed, going through to the final after coming seventh in one of the men’s heats.
The former F1 world champion finished the final in 17th place, with a time of 55 minutes and 41 seconds.
The men’s final was won in a nail-biting finish by Gavin Noble (47:34), with Bryan Keane securing second place (47:36). In third place was Lawrence Fanous in 48:59.
In the women’s event, India Lee took home the £2,000 prize with a time of 55:24 ahead of Emma Pallant (56:14) and Hannah Drewett (57:58).
In between speaking to television presenters, chatting with visitors, competing in the event and posing for photos, the busy F1 driver paused long enough to give the thumbs up to a pizza created for him by Ciccio’s Pizza, featuring tomato, pepperoni and mozzarella.
A spokesman for the company said: “Jenson said it was fantastic, he likes spicy pizzas.”
Following the race, Jenson praised Help for Heroes and revealed that close to £30,000 had been raised at the event.
More information and photos in this Thursday’s Herts Advertiser.
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