The first of a new triathlon - aimed at building on the Olympic legacy of getting more people into sport - has been hailed a huge success.
The first triathlon aimed at building on the Olympic legacy of getting more people into sport has been hailed a huge success.
A sell-out 150 people took part in the Pinewood Triathlon on Sunday, which transformed the north Norfolk coast and countryside into a huge racetrack as competitors swam, cycled and ran their way around the course.
The race, sponsored by Pilch Sports and Cycles UK, was organised by Guy Metcalf and Karl Read, directors of event management company Positive Sport, who are both keen sportsmen.
After watching the success of Team GB in the triathlon at London 2012 they were keen to build on the momentum, and set about holding a beginners' event to encourage more people into the sport.
Starting with a 300m swim in the indoor pool at Pinewood Leisure, followed by a 17km bike ride along the coast and two-mile run through Sheringham Park, the race was open to all ages and abilities.
And it proved to be a hit with first timers as more than 60pc of those who took part were beginners.
Mr Metcalf said: 'We have really been aiming it at the beginner market. Triathlon as a whole has had an image of being quite elitist, often people turning up with £3,000/£4,000 bikes. We want to try to promote it to people and say you haven't got to have expensive gear.
'We had some people on mountain bikes. All you need is a bike, to be able to jog a little bit and swim a little bit and don't be put off.
'It's a really, really good sport.'
Among the first timers at the start line was Kath Kendrick, a grandmother of six from Norwich who won an EDP competition to receive three months training ahead of the triathlon.
Mrs Kendrick, 60, who was given one-to- one training with Mr Metcalf and also won a new sporting kit, including a road bike, said the whole experience had been 'amazing'.
The mum of six, who works in the revenues department at City Hall in Norwich, said: 'I was so nervous but I knew I could do it if I got out of the pool. I got my best time on the bike and I was just pleased to finish it and do it.'
Mrs Kendrick admitted she 'couldn't swim half a length' before she started training, but would now consider doing another triathlon and encouraged others to give the sport a go.
'Honestly, if I can do it anybody can,' she added.
And it was not just individuals who took park as several teams took on the course, including a group of girls in tutus.
Mr Metcalf said: 'We have had some great comments and feedback and the venue at Pinewood is fantastic. People are realising now triathlon is a really fun sport to get involved with.'
The Pinewood Triathlon is set to become an annual fixture and Mr Metcalf said Positive Sport had many more events planned for 2014.
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