Money for Sport Relief in Olympic standard triathlon

Liam Poole and Gareth Rhodes joined by Paul Doggett on their 40km bike ride

Oulder Hill Leisure Complex staff members Gareth Rhodes and Liam Poole completed a triathlon to raise money for Sport Relief with their efforts currently raising £498 for the charity.

The gruelling challenge took place on Sunday 23 March at Oulder Hill Leisure Complex and saw the pair complete an Olympic Standard Triathlon, which included a 1.5km swim (60 lengths), a 40km bike ride and a 10km run.

Gareth Rhodes, Duty Manager at the complex, said: “I found the swim to be the most difficult. I’ve never done that level of endurance in a pool before but I’m glad I did it, even if it was breast stroke all the way. Liam definitely had an advantage on me having completed triathlons in the past but it was still a big achievement for both of us.”

Liam Poole, Fitness Instructor at the complex, said: “I’ve taken part in triathlons before, which did help me. I enjoyed the swim the most. The 40km on the bike was the longest aspect and very gruelling, most people don’t realise but this section alone is equal to a standard marathon.”

Neither of the men took part in any endurance training before the triathlon.

Gareth said: “When I got off the bike, my legs were like jelly”, with Liam adding: “The run was very tough, without training our legs were really hurting.”

Liam finished the triathlon first achieving a time of two hours and 39 minutes.

Gareth said: “There was a little bit of competition between the two of us, we both wanted to finish first, but mostly we were encouraging each other to finish. Liam finished first with an excellent time.”

Gareth finished with a time of three hours and 40 minutes.

“I commend Gareth, he’s never done that level of endurance in the pool or on a bike before let alone the whole triathlon, he did really well to achieve a time of three hours 40 minutes,” said Liam.

In the UK Sport Relief gives shelter to young people living on the streets and protection to those living with domestic abuse. Sport Relief also helps a number of children and young people around the world and money raised from Sport Relief helps children into education and provides communities with fresh water and life saving vaccines.

Gareth said: “The OHLC members have been fantastic, in particular Paul Doggett, who joined in with us on the bike and run sections for moral support. That was a massive boost. It’s amazing to be able to challenge yourself physically, and hopefully inspire others to do the same and raise money for Sport Relief at the same time.”

Donations can still be made either at Oulder Hill Leisure Complex’s reception or online at: http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/ohlctriathlon