Youngsters urged to enter Chichester aquathon

The Natures Way Foods junior aquathlon takes place on Saturday, July 4 and is open to young people aged 8 to 16.

The event starts with a swimming race at Westgate Leisure, Chichester, followed by a run around the Chichester College campus.

Chichester District Council are hoping to top last year’s record numbers with at least 200 young people will take part.

The event is part of the Natures Way Foods Chichester Triathlon series which gives the whole family the opportunity to watch each other get involved with this exciting sport. The day after the aquathlon, adults will be taking part in the Olympic and sprint-distance triathlon events.

Among those taking part will be the Foord siblings: Sam who will have turned nine, plus twins Freya and Symi, aged 11. Their dad Laurence will also be doing the full distance triathlon the next day.

“They are really looking forward to being involved, and it’s great that the whole family has been training and helping each other prepare for the triathlon series,” said Laurence.

“The aquathlon is a great opportunity for young people to be active and have lots of fun at the same time. Triathlon really is a sport for everyone, whatever your age!”

Sarah Baldock, the director responsible for Natures Way Foods’ Ccommunity programme, said: “We’re really proud to sponsor this event in particular because we’re passionate about healthy living at NWF. Since 2009 we’ve seen hundreds of local schoolchildren visit our sites to learn about healthy eating and the journey of their food through our Field to Fork initiative.

“Healthy eating goes hand in hand with sport and exercise and brilliant events for young people like the aquathlon. It’s a fantastic challenge for eight to 16-year-olds and hopefully some of the children taking part will go on to become our future triathlon competitors.”

Cllr Eileen Lintill, councillor for community services at the council, says: “The aquathlon continues to go from strength to strength and is a wonderful example of the community working together to help improve fitness and wellbeing, I look forward to seeing young people across the district taking part and having lots of fun.”

Aquathlon categories:

Tristar Start (eight years) - 33m swim, 600m run;

Tristar 1 (9-10 years) - 133m swim, 1.5km run;

Tristar 2 (11-12 years) - 200m swim, 2km run;

Tristar 3 (13-14 years) - 333m swim, 3km run; and

Tristar 4 (15-16 years) - 400m swim, 3km run.

For more information about the aquathlon or adult triathlon events, see www.chichester.gov.uk/triathlon

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