London Fields Triathlon Club to host second Aquathlon

London Fields Triathlon Club team members (L-R): Sebastain Orrayave, Rhodri Gabe, Tim Smith and Andrew Finn (L-R) Photo:© Colin Streater

London Fields Triathlon Club is to host the second London Fields Aquathlon following the success of the first such event in October 2010. This year there will also be a separate Junior Race for under 16s, which will take place alongside the adult race for the first time as part of the club’s commitment to bringing multi-event athletics to all in Hackney.

Formed in January 2010 after a chance meeting between Chris Skinner and Guy Holbrow at London Fields Lido, the club is made up of an ambitious group of athletes dedicated to Olympic success. It holds well-coached sessions for local aspiring Olympic athletes.

Guy Holbrow says of the Aquathlon: “It’s such a great opportunity for people who live in Hackney and beyond to get involved in sports in the run up to the Olympics. As a club we all enjoy participating in multi-events sports and to be given the opportunity to host our own event is very exciting.”

Entrants will swim 400m in the London Fields Lido followed by a 5km run around the Fields, giving them the opportunity to combine the disciplines of swimming and running in one event. The day will begin at 8am on Saturday 16 April and is open to all abilities.

London Fields Triathlon Club is hosting the Aquathlon with the support of the British Triathlon Federation. The club has been running with a focus on preparing members for individual Triathlon events combining swimming, cycling and running.

The Triathlon is one of the toughest endurance events at the Olympics. Spread over specific time trials, it consists of an energy sapping 1.5km swim, an equally as demanding 40km bike ride and the ultimate test of stamina – a 10km run.

Triathlon was first included in the Olympic repertoire at the Sydney Games in 2000, and has since been attracting some of the best all-round athletes – male and female alike – from across the world. The gruelling event tests endurance as well as sporting skill. Triathletes compete for the fastest overall completion of the three components of the race, including timed transitions from one segment of the competition to another.

Entry to the London Fields Aquathlon is now open, with a cost of £12 for adults and £5 for juniors.

The event itself will take place as a time trial with competitors being set off in intervals.

A prize-giving will be held immediately afterwards at Pub on the Park, with prizes for the top male and females in each category.

Adults and juniors can enter for the Aquathlon by visiting the London Fields Triathlon website.