4 minute read
Triathlon Man
SPORTS Good
Thousands of children take part in schools’ triathlon series to raise nearly £300,000 for charity
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Youth-led charity Restless Development partnered with Royal Russell School, Bradfield College, Cranleigh School and Marlborough College to put on its 2017 schools’ triathlon series. More than 2,500 children aged between seven and 14 took part across the four events in April and May, raising nearly an amazing £300,000 for charity.
The fun and inclusive format saw the triathlons run as a relay in teams of four, with each team member completing all three disciplines. The swim came first, with younger teams from school years three and four doing a total of 200m in the pool and older teams swimming 400m. It was onto the bike section next, with 4,000m (Year Three and Year Four teams) or 8,000m (the older ones) completed on an off-road track in school grounds; then a 3,000m or 6,000m relay run split equally between each four team members to finish.
Now in its second year, the Flight Centresponsored event is the brainchild of entrepreneur and long-time trustee of Restless Development Jim Sewell. The father of three saw a gap for fun, sportsbased fundraising for children and plans to roll out more triathlons around the country, with the aim of raising £1 million a year. He said, “It was brilliant to partner with such great schools and see the children throwing themselves into it. I am so excited about the potential for this event – I want this to become the schools’ equivalent of the London Marathon.”
Martin Reader, head of Cranleigh School, said ››
after his school had played host: “What a fantastic event! I stood anonymously marshalling children at the bicycle handover. I lost count of the times I heard the words, ‘That was so much fun!’ or, ‘That was brilliant!’. They won’t forget the day, which means they are more likely to remember the cause.”
Sewell agreed: “The children have really understood that they can make a difference, and the combination of sport and charity in a children’s event has been incredibly powerful. Their efforts will help thousands of children in developing countries access health education and life skills, which will transform their lives.”
An internationally respected development charity that funds nearly £20m of projects a year around the world, Restless Development’s work is delivered by young people, for young people, giving them the skills and resources to lead change. The triathlons also raised funds for the chosen charities of the host and participating schools.
The events were a hit with parents, too. One commented, “What a wonderful event you managed to put together for the children yesterday! The atmosphere was delightful, with lots of support from parents and fellow competitors, all of which combined to make it feel like a real festival of sport.”
The series, also sponsored by Knight Frank, Frog Bikes and Warminghams, would not have been possible without the generosity of the four host schools, which donated use of their facilities.
The schools needed an on-site swimming pool, extensive grounds and playing fields for transitions zones and running and cycling routes, as well as ample car parking and viewing space for more than 1,000 spectators.
With safety paramount, Restless Development partnered with mass event organiser Human Race to ensure the triathlons were organised professionally. The series still relies heavily on volunteers to help run the events, however, so an extra pair of hands is always welcome for future events.
Sewell says: “If anyone is interested in getting involved either as a project manager or to volunteer on the day, we would love to hear from them.”
Volunteers or schools interested in taking part in or hosting a 2018 Restless Triathlon to help raise £1 million for charity can contact Jim Sewell at jim@restlessdevelopment.org
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