From the brink of extinction, Bassetlaw Triathlon Club’s successful sprint event is back and better than ever before.

The jewel in the crown of the successful East Midlands club was its highly-regarded annual Sprint Triathlon that welcomed participants from a diverse range of experience and ability.

They have a loyal membership of around 120 but the sprint event saw them throw open the doors to the region - with the majority of participants completing swim, bike and run for the first time.

Covid-19 put paid to the 2020 staging and led to concern that without immediate action, the 2019 edition could be the last, however, Jason Lippitt couldn’t let that happen.

“The committee met a year ago and realised if we didn’t do it again, it would never happen again,” he says.

“We weren't sure how much it would cost us, but we didn't want to make it about money. We wanted it to be about getting people back and doing some sport together.

“We hadn't got a cohesive committee because nobody had done any racing for more than a year. Everybody was a bit down and there was nothing on the horizon.

“If we didn't pick ourselves up and start organising events, not only would we lose out but we'd deny other people the opportunity to get into the sport.”

With eight years of triathlon racing fostering a real passion for the sport, Lippitt stepped forward - or, in his words, ‘the last one to step back’ - to resuscitate the event.

Alongside his wife Julie, they had to get to grips with contractors, timing systems, street management, traffic lights and risk assessments having never organised a race before.

“I brought enthusiasm and a can-do attitude to the table but that was about it!” he admits.

“I’d never actually raced the sprint or even marshalled it because it always happens in the summer holidays when I’m away.

“I just love triathlon and I wanted to give it a go. I run a business, so I’m used to organising things, and we’re lucky to have a lot of support from the community.”

In short, they did it. Numbers were slightly pared back due to social distancing but the same special atmosphere was there again for the 400m swim, 25km cycle and 5km run event.

“We go out of our way to make sure we’re welcoming because we know a lot of people are racing for the first time,” Lippitt says. “None of us are marketing gurus but we try to make sure we’re being open and accessible to everyone in what we say. We saw the result of that this year and it was brilliant to be back.

“The event is back on the map and almost everyone I spoke to said: ‘we’ll be doing this again.”

Bassetlaw benefit from a fine facility at Worksop Leisure Centre and welcome members from places such as Retford, South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire.

They hold a run and spin session on Mondays and with swimming a particular club strength, head coach Steve Chambers and his four-strong coaching team run three swim sessions a week.

The social side of the club is now back in full swing - one of the key drivers that has made triathlon a lifelong passion for Lippitt and his whole club.

“When I was young, I spent my holidays swimming in lakes, riding on my bike and running around playing football - basically, doing a triathlon every day,” he adds.

“I’m still doing it at 52 and I just love it. More than ever now, people need the release that sport brings.

“My mission is to bring people to triathlon, because the more people I bring to the sport the more friends I’m going to have.”