Way back at the AGM we made announcement to make teams for the regional relays. As a carrot, we offered a 50% entry paid by the club.  15 of us put our names in the hat and teams allocated by Paul Fairchild. This included our youth development squad so we could see first hand how they got on among us oldies.

We all rocked up at Box End on the Saturday and some of us chilled out, others went to the water assault course, and I went for a ride in the area with Paul Fairchild where we found the topography rather undulating compared to Norfolk.

A pleasant evening for camping food into the evening ready for race day.

The relays of 125 teams are a sprint triathlon of 750m swim, 23 Km bike and 5 km (actually 5.5K!) trail run.  For each section we all do the swim, getting out the water to hand over the timing chip at the bike, then next person running to the water which was warm and clear.  All went well with Matt Lightfoot enthusiastically jumping in and losing his goggles, so a full swim for him without those.

All swims done and we were out on the bike, which was lumpy and breezy, so you had to work hard for the whole thing.  Amusing watching Lisa come in from the bike to not find Stan who sheepishly emerged from the Portaloo obviously trying to lighten the load before his bike.

Then onto the run with was a twisty-turny grass track on a camber with the day temperature really warming up so not one for a fast pace (unless you are Matt Lightfoot as is seems).  The 3^rd runner coming into finish was able to hook up with their teammates to finish together across the line.

The YDS team did well coming 9^th overall and 7^th in their open category. First team out from the swims, but succumbed to the powerful bike teams with TT bikes.  Our mixed vet team of Rob Lightfoot, Caroline and Chris Noller picked up a 3^rd in their class also.

Between us, best spits were

Overall, it didn’t matter how you did.  It was all fun as soon as you arrived at the site for the camping and just chilling with your other clubmates while waiting for your section to come up at our central gazebo so we could congregate.

This is an event we would like to continue and certainly looking to repeat next year hoping to get more teams involved. There is no pressure on performance as we are there to have a go, get some experience and get to know your clubmates.

Hope to see more of you in 2025!

The date for your diary is the 20^th July 2025 for next year’s event where we are aiming to fill the final spaces in transition!

Adrian has a bunch of finishers photos for you too (free download because we are lovely like that!)  – https://adrianhowesphotography.photohawk.com/galleries/bedford-team-relays-2024