The 2009 Triathlon - 28th June 2009

260 children aged between 7 and 15 took part in the 8th New Forest Junior Triathlon, hosted and marshalled by Totton Running Club. As organiser, may I thank everyone who assisted before the event and on the day to make it an enjoyable and successful triathlon in spite of one abusive parent. We had superb weather this year following 2 years of very wet conditions! We received lots of thanks from the parents and schools and many children are keen to return next year with their friends in a school team.
We had to turn away around 40 children this year including 3 teams from one school but we are now operating at capacity.

Parents & Schools – please get your entries in early next year – there will be an earlier closing date!

The event, held in partnership with New Forest Schools Partnership was held at Hounsdown School as an initiative to encourage the development of triathlon, one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. There was an excellent turnout of 48 teams from schools around Hampshire, a further increase from 2008.

The junior team competition was won by Durlston Court School in Lymington, with New Milton Junior School runners up and Hyde Primary 3 in third place. (an excellent result as they are a fraction of the size of some schools taking part).
The senior team competition was won by Perins in Winchester.
 We have achieved the objective of encouraging school teams with the concept of ‘try a tri’ and provided a catalyst for an increased participation of triathlon particularly from New Forest schools.
A good number of New Forest schools were represented this year with, local school Foxhills, Orchard Junior School in Hythe, near Southampton and Fordingbridge Junior School entering the largest numbers of children in the juniors. Burgate School in Fordingbridge had the most entries in the seniors (under 13’s & under 15’s)
Local junior triathlon club, Chapel Tri Stars also had a large contingent of entries and a number of their children were among the trophies.

All the children received a medal and a memento for their efforts. Trophies were presented to the first three children in each age group and to the first three junior school teams and first senior school team.

A full list of the results are available here.

Bruce Elkins