The sun was shining, and spirits were high as eight girls from Years 5 and 6 represented the school at this year’s IAPS Triathlon Championships, held on Sunday 18th May at Monkton Combe School in Bath.
Competing against young athletes from schools across the country, our triathletes displayed exceptional determination, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the challenging event.
The IAPS Triathlon is a competition that tests the endurance, agility, and resilience of pupils across three disciplines. The Year 5’s had to swim 150m, cycle 2,000m and run 1,200m. The Year 6 athletes had to race a little further completing a 200m swim, a 4,000m bike and a 1,800m run. In between the discipline the girls had to navigate transition as effectively as possible to minimise the time getting ready for the next discipline. This was a true test of both physical and mental stamina on a twisty and hilly course requiring all of the skills they have been practising in their triathlon training sessions at school.
Our brand-new triathlon club have been training since the start of January in a weekly training club consisting of students from Years 4 - 11. They have been practising different elements of triathlon, most recently cycling and running at Cople which has helped with the biking element of triathlon, and their transitions between these disciplines.
Our Director of Triathlon, Mr Castro (8-time World and European Triathlon Champion) said: "Every single athlete gave their best, and we couldn’t be prouder of how they represented themselves and the school. They are on step one of their triathlon journeys, and each one executed their races better than I could possibly imagine for their first one. More importantly, and although they were racing in very hot and challenging conditions, each and every one of the girls absolutely loved racing at this event. Their perseverance, camaraderie, and encouragement of one another truly embodied the spirit of the event and our athletes.”
Our athletes are now back in training, getting ready for their next competition!
