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Thousands turn out for the Sefton Triathlon
Paralympics tennis ace Jamie Burdekin applauded the 1,100 competitors who took part in this year’s Formby Cycles Sefton Triathlon organised by St Mary’s College. A bumper crowd of 5,000 people turned out to cheer on the children and adults that stepped up to the challenge of 150m swim, 5k bike ride and 2.5k run along the coastline near Crosby Leisure Centre. Jamie Burdekin said, “I think that everyone who has taken time out to raise a lot of money for local charities have done themselves proud. The children and adults have both been fantastic competitors. It’s a great honour for me to be asked to support the event. It’s brilliant to be here and I’m so happy that I can give the medals to the competitors as they finish the event”.
Participants enjoyed ideal conditions for the largest community triathlon in the world. They came as far as Australia to take part, no less than Jim Costello who had not only travelled the furthest but he was the race’s oldest contestant at 79. Jim as oldest competitor won a week’s holiday at a hotel in Heswall. He said, “I enjoyed it a lot. I ran with my Lancashire Fusiliers beret on because that’s what I was in before I went to live in Australia at 29”.
Some of the charities to benefit from the £50,000raised include Claire House Children’s Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, British Heart Foundation and Cash for Kids. Helen Carlson Claire House area fundraiser said, “We receive money from the organisers and also get sponsorship from people who take part for Claire House. It’s fantastic for us and I would like to thank everyone for all the support, especially the organisers. We have 500 families that benefit from the charity at the moment so the money will go to help them”.
Another beneficiary was James Griffith the 20 year old basketball player from Kirkby who needed sponsoring to help go toward a basketball scholarship in the USA. He said, “It’s great to take part. It’s a lot different from basketball but I loved it. I hope I get into either New York or Maine in America and I appreciate all the help from the Sefton Triathlon Committee and St Mary’s College.
The event proved to be a great family day out with funfair rides on offer next to the finishing line while St Ambrose Barlow school pupils played tunes such as Soul Limbo next to the leisure Centre pool exit as the competitors made their way to the Bike Transition area. Spectators were also given commentary from Radio Merseyside’s Alan Jackson, who also entertained them in the pool and at the finish line. Volunteers were offered food and refreshments throughout the day and were invited to a barbeque party after the event.
St Mary’s Prep head teacher Michael Collins, whose school helped organise the event said, “I have been involved in all eight triathlons and this has been a great day for everyone involved. As ever, it was superbly well organised with 120 volunteers from the local community and they deserve a great deal of credit for giving up their time to make this the best triathlon so far. I1m determined to do proper training next year to improve my time so that I can beat St Mary’s College Principal Mike Kennedy in the 2010 event”.
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