07 August 2010

Prospect places available for London Triathlon

Prospect Hospice is excited to announce that, for 2010, we still have spaces available for the Mazda London Triathlon on 7 – 8 August this year. Now the largest triathlon event in the world, for triathletes this is truly an experience not to be missed. Over 10,000 competitors are expected on the day, and you can be part of it too.

There are a number of skill categories and you can enter as and individual (completing the swimming, cycling and running yourself) or as a team of three or two (each person taking one of the disciplines, or one person doing two).  Don't worry if you have never done a triathlon before, around half the participants will be newcomers to the sport, competing alongside the many world class sporting heroes who take part every year.

One of the people taking part is Wiltshire-born vet Matthew Hibberd, who is hoping to raise £1000. Matt, 29, will be attempting his first full Olympic-length triathlon at the event. Having completed the sprint-length triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike ride, 5km run) in previous years, Matthew decided he wanted a tougher challenge this time.

“The Olympic distance involves a 1500m swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run,” said Matthew. “I cycle 10 miles to work and back every day, and I swim 30 lengths of a 50m Olympic-sized pool – 1500m – two or three times a week so I know I’m on course to tackle the Olympic distances. Now I just need to concentrate on the running.”

But for anyone who thinks a triathlon is for the super-fit, think again. The different distances are designed to bring newcomers into the sport, and the inclusion of both individual and team relay events, where team members undertake one leg of the race each, means that you don’t need to be proficient in all three disciplines to take part.

In fact, over half of the 13,000 or so people who take part every year have never taken part in a triathlon before. For many of them, the objective is simply to finish and raise money for good causes.

Prospect Hospice has a number of places available for this year’s event, but with the deadline for applications on 1^st July rapidly approaching, is looking to fill the spaces fast.

We are looking for individuals or teams of people aged 17 or over to take part and raise money for the Hospice. Maybe you’re an experienced triathlete looking for your next challenge. Maybe you can get together with colleagues to form a work team. Or maybe you are a swimmer who has never run or cycled competitively? No problem – just tell us your level of experience and we’ll try to create a team for you.

For details of the categories available, fees and sponsorship. please click here.

Contact Julie Brogan on 01793 815142 or email her here for your chance to be part of this amazing personal challenge!