King Sturge Property Triathlon

Rapids, Wind and Rain – Eton Trifles


“Sup up your beer and collect your fags, there’s a row going on down near Slough…….”  Or rather sip your energy drink and pick up your wetsuit bike and trainers.


On a blustery Friday morning three teams from Geotechnical set out to battle it out with the elite of the property industry in the King Sturge Property Triathlon.  Dorney Lake at Eton, the venue for the 2012 Olympic boating events, was the prestigious setting, perfect for our finely tuned athletes to test their outstanding abilities on a 750m swim, 20km bike ride or 5km run. 
Although lacking a “tie and a crest” the corporate tent was set up with the banner flying in the wind, proclaiming the eagerness of our competitors to take on the property tycoons who were hopefully weighed down with their bundles of cash and working lunches.

 
First off were the “Borehole Beavers” competing in the mixed relay.  Team Captain James Taylor got the team off to a flying start as the winds increased and several heavy showers fell.  Claire Newbolt did equally as well on the cycling, despite the gusty conditions, frequent showers and limited choice of gears handing over to Tom Smith for the running.  Was Tom “left standing like a guilty schoolboy”?  No, he had a superb run which was 5th fastest in his wave.


Next up were the “Energy GELs” and “Mick Rapid and the Stinking Sprinters”, performing in the male relay, the latter getting a special announcement from the commentator.  Mike Atherton lived up to the team’s name in the swimming, both Mike and veteran Pat Smith recording fast times around the 12 minute mark.  Sam Bevins came in on target with a brisk sub 40 minute bike ride a bit ahead of Mark Howarth, who shone like a beacon in his tangerine shirt.  Finally Greg Adamson and veteran Neil Parry sprinted out of the transition area, both eager not to let their teams down and possibly grasp a chance of some silverware.  A “high 5” was exchanged between Greg and Neil as they crossed during the race and they both finished with solid times.


As we were in the last wave all that remained was to “load up our guns and run off home for our tea”, literally as we stopped in Swindon for a Chinese on our way back to Gloucester.


The results show that the GELs were unlucky enough to miss out on 3rd place by only 90 seconds, coming 5th in their group.  The other two teams also put in good performances, although the property professionals were a bit quicker than we had anticipated.


The event was very successful with the organisers already planning to repeat it again next year.  A couple of our brave participants were even considering doing the full triathlon.  Better get training!

Tom, Claire & James..the 'Borehole Beavers'...