Inaugural Independent Schools Triathlon
Championships
Oakham School has launched the first-ever Independent Schools Triathlon Championships; a
great opportunity for young and upcoming triathletes to be able to put their training into
action and to compete against others in their age group.
“More and more children are interested in, and are taking part in, Triathlon,” says Oakham
School’s Director of Sport, Iain Simpson. “They’ve been inspired by Olympic Triathletes, the
Brownlee brothers, and the World Champion, Non Stanford. Despite it being one of the
fastest growing sports in the UK there are very few races aimed directly at junior athletes,
with young triathletes having to race against adults if they want to compete over the slightly
longer, sprint distance.”
The event, which will take place in the stunning grounds of Belvoir Castle on May 25th, will
be integrated into the popular Speedy Beaver Triathlon, but will benefit from its own start
wave. Following the 750m open water swim through shallow and relatively warm waters,
competitors are faced with a long run to transition where they then complete the rolling 1
lap 20km bike course and finish with a 1 lap, spectator-friendly 5km run.
“Oakham School has a long-standing reputation for offering great sporting opportunities,”
says Iain. “Our commitment to Triathlon is just another example of this. The Championship
is also an event that our triathletes will be able to train for and look forward to.” One of
Oakham’s talented triathletes, 16-year-old Josh Greaves, has won a place in the Team GB
Under 20s (Age Group) Duathlon team, following a shoulder injury that has temporarily
forced him to stop swimming.
To book a place on the event, visit http://justracinguk.com/event/2014/independent-schoolschamps
Further details:



The event will be split into four divisions - intermediate and senior for both boys and girls.
Intermediate will be open to competitor’s aged 15-16 and senior to those aged 17-18, with
ages taken on 31/12/2014.
There will be awards for the top three individuals and top three schools in each division,
where a school’s result is represented by its top three finishers. Awards will also be made for
the fastest individual swim, bike and run splits in each division.
Josh Greaves will represent GB in 2014 at the European Sprint Distance Duathlon
Championships, which will be held in Horst aan de Maas in Holland on April 12th and 13th.
Josh has always been a keen runner and swimmer. He competes at county level in cross
country and is a part of Oakham's athletics team. About two and a half years ago, Josh
combined his love of both running and swimming to begin competing in Triathlons. After a
recent shoulder injury, that has temporarily stopped him swimming competitively, Josh
switched his attentions from Triathlon to Duathlon. He manages to fit his training (five days a
week) round his Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Geography A Levels.
From Louise Hitchen
Press Officer
Oakham School Chapel Close Oakham Rutland LE15 6DT
mob: 07736 176973 press@oakham.rutland.sch.uk www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk
Oakham School Registered Charity No 1131425 Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales No 6924216
Registered Office Chapel Close Market Place Oakham Rutland LE15 6DT