Triathletes hog the podium

Published 17 Jun 2010 09:00 0 Comments

LOMOND and Rhu school pupils came back with an medal haul from the Scottish Schools' Triathlon championships at Stirling University.

This prestigious event on the triathlon calendar drew together 200 of the country's top triathletes who battled it out in perfect weather conditions on Sunday June 6.

First to race was eight-year-old Jamie Johnston from Rhu School who put in a blistering swim to lead the race right from the start.

Untouchable for the rest of the race, he continued to open up his lead on the biking and running disciplines to finish over a minute ahead of his nearest rival to be crowned Scottish champion in his first year of competing.

Not to be out done by his younger brother, Charlie Johnston from Lomond School also set off at an unstoppable pace in the nine to 10 year category to lead out of the pool. Strength, fitness and discipline carried Charlie through to the finish line after a gruelling bike ride and run to notch up the second win of the day. Lewis Serpell, and Charlotte Caskie also from Lomond despite being new to triathlon, put in commendable times, competing amongst a very competitive field.

Lewis, a regular Helensburgh Athletics Club member who is renowned for his lightning fast speed in the running discipline, came home in 20th place and Charlotte, a potential star of the future came in 13th.

Harry Johnston and Morgan Serpell racing in the 13 to 14 year age category knew that they had a huge task ahead of them competing against some of the national triathlon squad.

Undeterred, they stuck to their tasks. A strong swim from both boys saw them in the middle of the pack at transition to the bike.

Harry in his fastest and favourite discipline soon started to move up the field on the bike methodically picking of his competitors to start the run in fourth place and finally finishing in sixth place behind the bulk of the national squad.

Morgan in his introduction to triathlon was hindered by the gears on his bike, but never the less his strong competitive nature and determination saw him through to 15th place overall with a notable 10th fastest split time in the run. Rhu Schools Eve Thompson, famed locally for her success in the pool, characteristically took the championships in her stride. As expected she was in the top three after the swim, then dropped back to 19th going into the run. In true Thompson style she moved up through the field to finish eighth and record the eight fastest run split in her category. Overall it was a hugely successful day for all of the competitors, who are already in training for the National Championships in August.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 17 Jun 10

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