Crowborough Triathlon Club
Mid-Summer Newsletter July 2025
Hello Everyone,
Collating the news for this edition I was reminded of "Super Saturday" at the Olympics 2012, where so many of our GBR team won medals. So, weekends in June and July, this appeared to have happened to our club when so many members entered events and did really well. I will endeavour to relay the news, and forgive me, or indeed remind me, of anything I have missed.
The swimmers of the club were in action on 2nd June in Rochester for the Kent Trophy. They did incredibly well winning the sprint events, and came 2nd overall.
Congratulations to Donna, Dan and Becci for doing our club proud.
On our Super Saturday 6th June, Leanne entered the super sprint triathlon at Blenheim. It was awful weather on the day, but she made it round with a smile on her face, as always.
I also went to Blenheim the following day, Sunday, and was blessed with lovely dry sunny weather. The race was for a qualifier for next year's European Champs. Success. I did get a Q by my name a few days later. Blenheim this year also hosted the British Champs, and National Champs. I managed to podium in 3rd for both British and National.
Meanwhile Damien did the T100 event at Eastbourne. It was a 2k swim, 80k bike and 18k run finishing in an impressive time of 6 hrs 35 mins. Congratulations Damien on your first ever triathlon!
Malcolm was also busy that weekend sailing his boat in the round the Isle of Wight race. It was going very successfully until the last 20 mins. They could see the finish line, and then the wind dropped. Along with many other boats it took them another 2 hours to cross the finish line.
Sarah Cooper took part in the Eastbourne Aquathlon. A lumpy sea did not deter her. She did a really good time overall and was first in her age group. Well done Sarah.
15th June was the Mid Sussex Triathlon at Burgess Hill. Diana and Andrew went over to take part in this lovely race. Great times both of you, and Andrew came first in his age group.
Also racing that weekend was Christine in the Heathfield 10k. Well done Christine.
Sarah Smith headed south east of Grenoble to take on the immense challenge of GFNY La Vaujany long distance cycle race of 151k with 4100m of climb. In Sarah's own words …
The GFNY Vaujany, Alpe d’Huez was the perfect training ride for the build-up to the (Frankfurt) Ironman. Iconic mountains over approx 100miles and 12,500ft of elevation. I will definitely be back for my third time next year.
Ironman is like childbirth. At the time, you swear it’s the last time but somehow the next day, you’ve forgotten and you’re planning the next one. It was hard and (34 degrees) hot. My worst nightmare of a non-wetsuit swim came true (I didn’t bail or get rescued), but now I’m actually glad it was, so I have overcome that fear! It leaves ‘next time’ to make the changes to try and get down to under 13 hrs. 12hrs something is the next goal !
Huge respect and congratulations to Sarah. Such an achievement.
Dean set off to Pontevedra , North West Spain, wearing his GBR suit, to represent his country and to compete on 21st June in the World Duathlon champs, of 5k run/20k bike/2.5 run. He came 15th overall. Truly amazing. Congratulations.
I flew out to Pontevedra a week after Dean, to compete in the World Sprint Aquathlon event. 1k swim, and a 5k run. It was very hot (31 degree) but a great fun race against some very fast women. One American was wearing a big string of pearls throughout. So I overtook her! I came 5th and was happy considering the conditions on the day.
Kevin squeezed in a sneaky triathlon at Thorpe Park. Not much info since he likes to fly under the radar, but suffice it to say he spent the rest of the day on the Thorpe Park rides !
On 30th June Botts made an extraordinary effort at swimming the channel. Who could even contemplate such a feat. It is the swimming equivalent of climbing Mount Everest. He was going well, and into 9 hours plus when, to his huge disappointment, he was forced to retire. Maybe more news when he has recovered. Or maybe he is writing a book about his Herculean experience.
Ben also attempted this unbelievable challenge, but he too was forced to retire when his shoulder refused to work. Swimming with one arm was a step (stroke?) too far.
But a huge well done to both for even attempting a challenge so big. So much respect from us all in the club.
On 3rd July we had a club cycle in memory of Tom. A very much liked young man who lost his life 2 years ago. The start and finish was at Tom's favourite pub, the Six Bells at Chiddingly. Eleven of us went on a beautiful evening ride around the route established last year. Everyone stayed for supper, sitting outside on a lovely summer's evening. Thanks Dean for leading the ride, and keep us all in order!
After Tom's ride, Dean, Andrew and Will met up for a cycle through France to experience the Tour de France. Said Dean …
"We had a great couple of days in France and watched 2 stages at the finish. Amazing atmosphere."
12th July. 'Low Key Kev' completed another sprint triathlon (in stealth mode) at Eton Dorney coming first in his age group. Wow, well done Kevin!
Lastly on one of the hottest days of the year, Camilla completed the Saucony 10k run around the streets of London. Congratulation on running and surviving in the heat of what must have been well into the 30's.
As you can see there has been so much going on, and as I travel around with my little black book I note people's achievements. I'm sure I have missed a few things, so you must let me know the when and where of your achievements, and forthcoming races.
No info - No newsletter.
What a great club we are in, with some really amazing results - and so much training, racing and participation going on. Good luck to all those who will be competing in the next couple of months. Please let me know what and how you did.
Enjoy the summer and happy training.
Annie Sidgwick
Communications
Crowborough Tri Club