100 triathlon beginners flocked to Lee Valley VeloPark earlier this month (Tuesday 17 January) to take part in the 50th GO TRI event hosted by the London 2012 Olympic legacy venue.
Capital Tri began running their weekly GO TRI events in March 2014, with the hope of inspiring individuals of all ages and abilities to get involved with multi-sport. Last night’s event was free for competitors to mark the milestone and saw participants take on an 8km cycle, sandwiched between two 1.6km runs. Whilst a cold and dark winter evening, the conditions certainly didn’t deter any of the enthusiastic participants.
Camilla Alwood, first time GO TRI participant, said: “It was certainly better than I thought it would be. I was very nervous but I heard of the event and thought ‘why not’?
“In no time at all I could see the finish line and now I feel elated that I’ve completed my first challenge.”
William Lockwood, another competitor that evening added, “It’s my second duathlon with Capital Tri at the VeloPark now and here was where I got my first taste of multisport.
“I’ve done quite a bit of running in the past and got into triathlon with some friends. GO TRI is great because it gives people the chance to get a taster of triathlon but at a low cost. It encourages you to come back.”
Rob Bishop, GO TRI Training and Delivery Manager, said: “It’s great to see such a fantastic turn-out to mark the 50th GO TRI event at the VeloPark. The event was at full capacity which just shows the appetite for beginner multi-sport in London; a trend that is spreading across the UK.
In no time at all I could see the finish line and now I feel elated that I’ve completed my first challenge.
“GO TRI aims to break down the barriers to participation by offering low-cost, easy access triathlon training and events and we really do encourage anyone to get involved.”
“I would personally like to thank Chris and Rohan from Captial Tri for their dedication to GO TRI and giving their time so others can experience our great sport.”
The VeloPark GO TRI events have attracted more than 1500 participants to the sport since they began, giving people the chance to take their first steps into triathlon alongside other novices.
Since GO TRI launched in 2013, there have been 894 events, around 25,000 event starts and training sessions at 68 centres. The programme succesfully acts as an impetus for sustained participation in triathlon, with 51% of participants having completed another triathlon since their first GO TRI event.
For more information on GO TRI or to find your nearest event, please visit here.
Capital Tri events run on Tuesday evenings and the club also offer training activities at Lee Valley for those that are keen to learn more. Visit http://capitaltri.com/ for more information.
