GO TRI Rothwell
Friday the 7th August was a stunning sunny day for the first GO TRI event at Rothwell leisure centre in Leeds, funded through the Pop up Sports scheme and Community Committee. The Sport and Active Lifestyles team worked in partnership with British Triathlon, Leeds BMX club and the Community Committee to make the event happen.
On offer were three distances for young people to ‘GIVE IT A GO’ at Swim – Bike – Run to emulate their hero’s – the Brownlee brothers. Bikes were provided by Leeds BMX club and marshals from England Triathlon and Run Leeds ensured the two age groups got round their respective courses. Each youngster received a goody bag for taking part in GO TRI which contained information on how they can access Wakefield Triathlon Club as a junior and details of individual run, bike and swim sessions starting at Rothwell Leisure centre from September onwards.
Neil Jones, Active Lifestyles Officer explained that the funding provided for the event by the outer south Community Committee was crucial in providing over 50 young people the opportunity to give it a go and for many it was a new experience and with the Triathlon World Series coming to Roundhay Park in June next year this couldn’t have come at a better time.
Elliott Findlay came top of the small TRI with an overall time of 7 minutes and 54 seconds while Ellie Broadbrook topped the junior TRI with an impressive 13 minutes and 32 seconds.
Michelle, England Triathlon, commented:
It’s a wonderful day for young people to try Triathlon for free with so many happy faces having fun and taking part in the sport
One parent duly praised the event:
Thank you so much for organising today’s event. My daughter Anna was terrified, literally shaking, when she arrived, but then did brilliantly, and more importantly was incredibly proud of herself – she’s asked me if she can do another triathlon
For more information about future Pop Up Sports events, including the next one at Rothwell leisure centre on the 14th August contact Neil Jones: neil.jones@leeds.gov.uk