Twenty six people took part in their first-ever triathlon recently when they competed in the Fishguard Go-tri event held at the town’s leisure centre.
 
The event, now in its ninth year, was again a success with 66 participants taking part overall.
 
John Collier and Catherine Marks came top in the male and female categories while Ken John and Shan James were the first novice triathletes across the line.
 

Two distances in same event

 
For the first time, athletes were able to choose between the option of two distances within the same event with some competing in the super sprint race (200m swim, 10 km bike, 1.6km run) and others in the sprint (400m swim, 20km bike, 5km run).
 
“The aim of the event is to make triathlons accessible and achievable to all making them a stepping stone to other triathlon events which is why we gave the option of two distances,” said Jayne Richards, the Go-Tri Co-ordinator and fitness instructor.
 
“This is why all routes are planned to ensure they are manageable for the novice entrants.
 

More people more active, is the aim

 
“We aim to get more people more active more often and we have experienced instructors within our centres to help customer train for events.
 
“Some entrants start from a very low level of activity, making their first triathlon a significant achievement for them.”
 
Among the novices in the super sprint was Andrew Morgan, who completed his first couch to 5km course in May at Fishguard Leisure Centre.
 
 
Now, following a half marathon training plan set by Jayne, he is attending four classes a week, improving his swimming and hoping to enter the Haverfordwest Sprint Go-Tri in August.
 

Team Cemaes win new team competition

 
Team Cemaes led the way in the new team category with the Narberth Nobblers close behind. The four participants in each team showed the high calibre of athletes from each club.
 
The team event has been an addition to the series this year in order to establish which club or group of athletes in the county is the strongest. 
 

PHOTOS:
Pictured is Andrew Morgan
Pictured is Shan James, first (female) novice triathlete across the line