Community & Leisure - News
Triathletes ready to get going
Wednesday 27 February 2008
Shetland has a new sport on the scene with the formation of Shetland Triathlon Club at a public meeting on Tuesday evening (yesterday). Around 15 people turned out for a public meeting in the Clickimin Centre, to hear more about the sport and to discuss possibilities for short triathlon events to take place in Shetland this summer. The enthusiastic meeting concluded with the adoption of a constitution for the Club and the formation of a committee who will now lead the sport for the future.
There is no shortage of local expertise in the three triathlon disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, that were well represented the meeting. Members of the Shetland Wheelers Cycling Club, Shetland Amateur Athletics Club and local swimming clubs were present, along with other individuals who had varying levels of experience of half or full marathon events. Discussions took place on fitness training programmes to help prepare for the three elements of the sport, that will combine evening pool sessions, with evening and weekend cycle training and road runs. Various venues were also discussed for short triathlon events, with Whalsay looking like a possible option for a novice event in July.
The length and duration of triathlon events can vary greatly, with novice (or sprint) events typically being a 300 metre swim followed by an 8 kilometre cycle and 2 km run. The most challenging event is the full Ironman, comprising a 3.8 kilometre swim, a 180 kilometre cycle and a marathon distance run to finish. Triathlon made its Olympic Games debut in Sydney in 2000 and will also feature in the Bejing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics. Other multi-sport options also include an Aquathon, which is a swim followed by a run; or a Duathlon which is a run, then cycle, then swim.
Shane Winson, who will be competing in three triathlon events in Scotland between May and July to raise money for Cancer Research UK, was elected Chairperson of the Club and commented - "It has been a great first turnout, with a number of apologies from others who couldn't make it, so there is definitely interest in triathlon here. We've had some really positive discussions and the Club can now look forward to regular training and some events this summer."
Other members of the committee now include - Lyndsey Henderson (Secretary), Lee Moulder (Treasurer) and commitee members - Kevin Gifford, Russell Gair, John Pumford-Green, Andrew Grant and Caroline Simpson.
Bob Kerr, Sports Development Officer with Shetland Islands Council who helped to co-ordinate the meeting added - "The three disciplines of triathlon are all strong and high-profile sports in their own right in Shetland. Now that we have a group who would like to try all three elements of the sport of triathlon, I am sure that the Club will attract a lot of interest and new members in the future."
John Lunn, Development Manager for Triathlon Scotland, will also be in Shetland for the first time in April. Mr Lunn will meet the Club to discuss development plans and training programmes on the evening of Wednesday 9th April.
ENDS