The British Championship season came to an end with the British Duathlon Championships on 29 October with Yellow Jersey Age Group ambassador, Yiannis Christodoulou, making the start of every race.

He explained this impressive feat, saying: “I decided I wanted to set some goals. The first was to enjoy it, as I struggled last year to enjoy any of the races. The second was a crazy goal to try and do as many British Championships as I could, and I managed to do them all. 

“I got the idea from Donald Brooks. He won every single one last year and I thought is it possible for me to do them all and see what they’re like? Before that I’d never done a middle-distance triathlon before, so it was different stepping up. I worked out if I could do it and I just thought I’d try it. It was really good; they were all at different times of the year and different disciplines. It wasn’t the same race every time.” 

As well as being able to enjoy his racing again and take on a new challenge, Christodoulou felt a sense of accomplishment and enjoyed the atmosphere of the British Championships. 

“I’d definitely say it’s more of an achievement,” he said. “You feel more nervous because it’s a British Championship. They are a bit different. You get quite a few crowds so for example at Holkham especially on the bike there were people cheering you.  

“It’s different. It felt like more of a family environment, everyone was friendly. It felt like a big event and more supported. Sunderland was my best one this year. The whole entire weekend was amazing. For me to podium at standard distance I was over the moon and there were crowds of people, it had good support.” 

The 2024 British Championship season gets underway on Sunday 24 March 2024 as Oulton Park Duathlon hosts both the British Paraduathlon Championships and the British Standard Distance Duathlon Championships. The season continues in June with the British Standard Distance Triathlon Championship on Sunday 9 June before the British Mixed Team Relay Championships on Saturday 22 June. Arctic One Tri and Para-Tri Festival hosts the British Paratriathlon Championships on 13 July a day before the British Middle Distance Triathlon Championships at Ironbourne Triathlon.  

Sleep When You’re Dead then hosts the British Aquathlon Championships on Sunday 21 July. The British Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships will also take place in 2024 and are yet to be confirmed.  

Christodoulou offers advice for anyone thinking of getting involved next year: “I’d say it’s not about winning. It’s about enjoying it. I had a crazy goal, I did really well and my ethos this year was go in relaxed and make sure you enjoy it. If you go into a race relaxed you can get results.  

“The British Champs aren’t just for the top end Age Groupers or the elites, it’s for everyone. Everyone’s friendly and it is like a family environment. Everyone is there to help. I turned up to a race and had a problem with my bike and someone in transition sorted it out for me. The status British Championship makes you think it’s elite level, but I say go and do it. There’s a wide range of abilities and why not just enjoy it.” 

To learn more about the 2024 British Championships click here. 

Images by Verity Mcguire.