Report by John Potter
I love Wirksworth. I’ve loved it since the moment I decided to live here just over 5 years ago. I love the community feel you get from just living here and the tranquil feel you get from walking round the town and the friendly people who live here. But, as many WRC members know, I love the running club most of all. I enjoy helping out with the club and I have especially enjoyed leading the Monday night sessions for the last 3 years or so. So, at the end of last year, when I received a triathlon voucher and a case of beer as a generous gift from the club for all the effort I put into running Monday nights and the club league, it was really just a gift for doing something that I already enjoy – win-win!
Anyway, I used said triathlon voucher to enter the York sprint triathlon, which was also then an excuse to take Laura and Jennifer (pictured, cheering me on) with me for some time in York and a bit of support on the day. There were 335 finishers in the race, which consisted of a 400m swim, a 16.5km (very technical) bike ride, and a 5.2km run. I really enjoyed it and raced my heart out to do the club’s gift justice, finishing in 4th place overall and winning my age group. The three guys who beat me, did so easily I’m afraid – they were a different class. But I was very happy with how it went for me.
If anyone wants to give triathlon a go, come and find me at Monday night training, or a Saturday parkrun outing, and I will enthusiastically try to persuade you that you will love it.
Thank you, Wirksworth running club!