Newsletter May 2026

Dear Members.  

Here are a few notes on recent events.  As usual it has been a busy few weeks, and no doubt will get a lot busier.  It is really wonderful what people get up to from a reasonably small club.  We have so many enthusiastic members entering all sorts of events.  

So to start with:-

On Saturday 18th April, Iain had organised a Mini Club Tri.  This was a great chance to string all three disciplines together, not to mention the chance of meeting up with other club members.   Christine, Diana, Camilla, Botts, Iain, and I came along to have a go.  Dean and Malcolm came to support and cheer everyone on.  Wes was also seen on the track!

Sunday 19th April. Eridge Park held a 10k run. Christine (1hr 30) and Sarah (1hr 47) ran the beautiful, but tough course. Well done you two.  

Then on the 26th came the London Marathon.  Three of our members competed this year.  Geoff, ran his 16th London Marathon in 3 hrs 27.  Phew that’s fast!  Closely followed by Heather who ran a superb 3hrs 31.  That’s getting close to elite!  Christine completed it in a decent 5hrs 27.  Amazing all three, particularly Christine who had battled lots of health drawbacks during her training.  Congratulations.  

4th May was Tonbridge triathlon.  Lots of you were taking part.  In the Standard distance we had Botts at 3hrs 11, Josh in 3hrs 21 and Richard in 3hr 22.  Richard had a very difficult time as he hit a pot hole on the bike at the beginning of lap two, which threw him to the ground.  No broken bones, but very sore collar bone and road rash. Crashes are always horrid, but this sounded very painful.  Bravely done Richard to finish the race so well.  Rest up and recover well.  

Dean competed in the sprint distance (and photo evidence was put up on the club WhatsApp) in a speedy 1hr 20 and came 2nd in his age group.  

Kevin was in action in the Aquabike and finished in 1hr 18, and came 2nd in his age group.  Astonishing, as he hasn’t long had a new hip.  Careful as you go Kevin!  

Congratulations all round. 

Saturday 16th May.  Cycle to Folkestone!  That’s a long way.  However a great band of cyclists took part.  Rosie, Botts, Dean, Iain, George, Will, Gabe, Andrew and Chris.  The pictures posted showed lots of smiles and it looked like a really great day out.  As I write I am not sure if anyone (maybe everybody) managed to cycle back home.  

As lots of us do these events, it is sometimes too easy to take it for granted that we can just go out and compete, and everything will be fine.  No it is not.  Lots of hard work goes on behind the scenes, no matter if it is a sprint distance or a full Ironman.  I am told that the sprint athletes are much quicker, especially in T1 and T2.  But the Ironmen go very fast in a straight line, and take their time in transitions!  

On the 17th May Sarah Smith completed the Hilly Hundred, in Hampshire. (I love the alliteration).   It turned out the distance was 102 miles, not the 100 advertised!  Cor, well done Sarah.  Watch this space as Sarah prepares for a half Ironman.  

Other club news.  

As you may have been away the club held its AGM on 27th April.  It was great to see so many people attending.  After all, it is you lot that make the club a special club, an inclusive club.  As a result of this meeting there is a slight change in your committee members.  

Malcolm has agreed to stay on as Chairman, while Dean has decided to step down from his position as Co-Chairman.  It is with great pleasure that I can tell you Botts has agreed to take Dean's place.  I am sure you will wish him well.  

The rest of the committee have agreed to stay on as: 

Coach - Iain

Secretary - JoJo

Social Sec - Rosie

Treasurer - Geoff

Kit - Andrew

One other change is that I have also decided to step down from the committee and my role of Communications.  I think it is time for a fresh set of eyes to gather and interpret all the club news.  Josh has offered (no twisting of arms !) to take over from me.  I am sure he will do a great job and we all wish him well.  

Dean and I will obviously still be active members and still train to take part in all sorts of events which the summer may provide.  

So this is my last newsletter to you all, and I hand over to the capable hand of Josh.  

Happy training and good luck with all your events.  

Annie