More than 70 people swam, cycled and ran in the annual Mayor’s City Sprint Triathlon last Sunday.
The event was hosted by Everyone Active at Westminster Lodge and saw participants endure a 5K stationary cycle and a 200m swim at the centre’s indoor pool before completing a 3km off-road run.
Ex-head teacher, 65-year-old Nuala Pawley from Chiswell Green, took part together with her daughter Sarah and son-in-law John: “I loved every part of it. I have never done anything like this before but I lost a friend to cancer this year so decided to enter, even with sprained knees. I must thank the wonderful organisers, particularly as they reassured me I could do a mix of walking and running. I aim to raise over £300.”
The event was enthusiastically supported by Cllr Annie Brewster, portfolio holder for sport, heritage and leisure who said: “The City’s Sprint Triathlon is building each year as an easily accessible event due to the short distances and stress free transitions between all three disciplines. One watches triathlons on the television and think I could never do that, but most people can. They proved that today, often with little training and no previous experience. Many congratulations to everyone that took part and for raising vital funding for such an important local charity.”
Once all sponsorship money has been received, it is hoped that the event will raise in the region of £5,000 to support the care that Rennie Grove provides for local people with cancer and other life-limiting illness.
Nicola MacKinnon, community fundraising manager at Rennie Grove said: “I would like to thank everyone for the huge amount of fun and enthusiasm that surrounded this event on Sunday. Our participants were wonderful and all richly deserved their medals and congratulations as they crossed the finish line.
“Particular thanks go to Lesley Garner and her team at Everyone Active, not just for the use of their fantastic facilities, but for making sure the event ran so seamlessly. Thanks also go to Annie Brewster for her wonderful support and the encouragement she gave to all the participants and to Sainsbury’s at Holywell Hill for donating bananas as a much-needed energy boost for those that took part.
“It is so good to see the local community working together like this to help raise funds to support the care we provide for local people and we are all looking forward to doing it again next year.”
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