The Scurry Events Lochore Off-Road Triathlon Festival that took place on 6 September 2020 marked the return of swim, bike, run events in Scotland following a nationwide halt of sports events since March.
Taking place at Lochore Meadows Country Park, the event saw 163 participants take part in the physically distanced off-road event, with triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and aquabike options.
The event was run in a time-trial format, with participants provided an allotted arrival time and guided through registration and transition check-in in a physically distanced fashion before heading to the swim start, or run for the duathlon, where they were set-off one at a time at five-second intervals to ensure physical distancing.
Participant Jennifer Cruickshank said:
“This was my first triathlon, I actually do run but I’ve never swam or cycled regularly before – I bought my wetsuit just last week! At the moment there’s not a lot of running races and I’ve always wanted to do a tri so I thought why not now? I loved it, I really enjoyed it!”
Reflecting on the event, Event Director Peter Ness, said:
“All the competitors were very understanding and we have had a while to live with Covid-19 restrictions now, so face masks and 2m distancing rules are becoming the norm. There appeared to be a reasonable buzz around the time-trial start and it was great to see smiling faces crossing a triathlon finish line again!”
Triathlon Scotland Event Engagement Manager, Morven Bruce, said:
“It was great to see the return of triathlon events in Scotland this weekend! It has been a long wait for our community, so it was great to see triathletes back out enjoying our sport again, including a significant number of first timers.”
“We have worked closely with British Triathlon and the other Home Nations (Triathlon England and Welsh Triathlon), sportscotland and our event organiser community to allow for triathlon events to run safely within new Covid-19 guidelines, based on a requirement for participants to physically distance from others at all times before, during and after the event.”
Permitted event organisers are required to submit safety documentation to demonstrate their event will be delivered within government and British Triathlon guidelines, with physical distancing and enhanced hygiene measures in place.
With aquathlons, duathlons, triathlons and aquabikes, GO TRI races and children’s races too, whoever you are and whatever your sporting background, there’s an opportunity waiting for you in swim, bike, run.
