London Fields aquathlon: results
London Fields Triathlon Club celebrates its second aquathlon, Saturday 16 April. Photograph: Colin Streater
Over 100 eager entrants took part in London Fields Triathlon Club’s second aquathlon on Saturday 16 April. After the popularity of the inaugural event last autumn, the event sold out in advance and presented a fresh opportunity to junior athletes.
It was an opportunity that was seized by Hackney-based siblings, Jay and Emily Downing, as they won the male and female junior titles. With eight categories, the aquathlon was a commendably inclusive day for those who accepted the challenge and their supporters on the sidelines.
During the London 2012 Olympic Games, the triathlon will begin with a splash in the Serpentine and end with a 10km run around Hyde Park. Hackney’s appetite for the event has now been whetted in and around London Fields Lido.
Seb Balcombe, men’s captain of LFTC and head marshal, said: “It was amazing to see so many people taking part in a multi-sports event around London Fields. The lido is such an amazing facility and it is great to see it being used by so many competitors. It’s also great to see so many LFTC athletes doing so well at our home event.”
The adults’ race consisted of a 400m swim followed by a 5km run, whilst the under 16s faced 100m in the lido’s lanes before a 1km run through the park. The race was officially approved by the British Triathlon Federation and is currently the only event in the borough with BTF approval.
Defending champion Danny Russell once again took the gold in the men’s category with London Fields’ own Ellen Greaves a comfortable winner in the women’s race. The co-founder of LFTC, Guy Holbrow, and Dorothy Zerdin led the way for the over-40s.
Greaves said: “It was an honour to win the female category of such a fantastic event. Being cheered on around the course really helped.”
The club boasts a committed collection of athletes who are focused on working towards the upcoming Olympics. Having seen numbers double at this latest event, the lido is fast becoming home to a host of local Olympic hopefuls.
Event organiser, Daniel King said: “The club has come a long way since its inception 18 months ago. The race sold out weeks in advance and we continue to grow in membership at an incredible pace.”
Details of the next aquathlon, due to take place in October 2011, will be announced later in the year.
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