As York prepares to host its first triathlon, JENNIFER KEE reports on what it takes to compete is this gruelling sport

NEIL Gilbertson has caught the triathlon bug. After taking part in his first triathlon following a dare between friends, he is now looking forward to completing an event on home turf.

Neil, 42, from Stamford Bridge, will be pushing himself to the limit during the City of York Triathlon on Sunday, April 27.

The dad of three is relatively new to the sport: his first triathlon was at Castle Howard last July, but he has continued competing ever since.

Triathlon involves completing three continuous stages of swimming, cycling and running, all against the clock.

York is a new addition to the UK Triathlon Race Series for this year – and what better place, considering the region boasts some of the finest home-grown talent in the shape of Olympic medallists, brothers Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.

At York, competitors will have the choice between two distances: Super Sprint Triathlon (200m/9k/2.5k) or the Sprint Triathlon (400m/18k/5k) which will be taking place at the York Sport Village.

Despite being fit – Neil also plays for Malton and Norton Rugby Club – he still finds triathlon, seen by many as the most gruelling sport, a challenge.

“Triathlon is a self-involved sport," says Neil. "You have no one to hide behind and it would be so easy to stop. Having the back bone to keep going is a real test."

British Triathlon says it is the fastest growing sport in the UK. Neil adds: “It is becoming more popular, without a shadow of a doubt, especially with the likes of the Brownlee brothers about.

“At Castle Howard, I saw all sorts of shapes and sizes squeezed into Lycra. Anyone can do it because it is a personal battle; you compete with only yourself.”

Training for three separate disciplines is demanding. Neil's regime involves running three times a week, swimming once or twice a week and using his turbo trainer bike at the weekends, although he prefers to get outdoors when the weather is nice.

He is a member of the York Triathlon Club and says the "experienced heads" there are only too happy to help him improve his knowledge and technique.

“They are willing to teach new tricks to this old dog,” he adds with a smile.

His active leisure life contrasts sharply with his day job at Pickering estate agents Rounthwaite and Woodhead. “In the office, there is lots of cake about and I found myself getting tubbier,” says Neil. Since beginning triathlon training, Neil has lost three stone and enjoys a good level of fitness.

“At 5am I don’t want to go out for an 11k run, but when I am done and in the shower I think ‘well done’ and give myself a little pat on the back.

“Since I have been part of the triathlon club, I have been a lot more focused and motivated; the trainers really know what they are talking about.”

Martin Harman, who is co-owner of Your Bike Shed on Micklegate, was on the original committee of the York Triathlon Club in 2011.

“One of the nicest things about triathlon is the good camaraderie as people are only competing with themselves.

“It’s still a pleasure to see such a cross-section of people taking part. It’s nice to see people doing their first triathlon; it takes me back to when I did my first one in 2009 at Driffield.”

Martin qualified to represent Great Britain in the European Triathlon Championships in Israel in 2012, where he came 42 out of 250 competitors in his age group.

His advice is simple: “Get yourself fitted properly on a bike and there is no need to buy any of the expensive kit when you first start out.”

Neil agrees. For his first race, he says he "begged, borrowed and stole" everything but his trainers. However, he says, if you are splashing out on kit, it is worth spending money on quality items that will last.

Neil suggests shopping on eBay for trainers. He also managed to get hold of an ex-demo wet suit for £100 from Rat Race at Clifton Moor, where he likes to buy much of his equipment.

Having said that, Neil has had his fair share of wetsuit disasters: “I once bought a cheap and cheerful one from the internet and when it arrived, I realised that it had more white on it than I would normally wear. Then it went in the wash and turned a shade of dirty grey that meant, unfortunately, I couldn’t carry on wearing it. But that was more out of vanity than anything else!”

When triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee was asked in an interview what makes a good triathlete, his advice was to be very good at motivating yourself because you are pushing yourself to extremes.

On Twitter, he puts it more succinctly, giving his mantra as "Triathlon. Yorkshire. Cake".

What more encouragement do you need?


Fact file

• You can get involved with the York Triathlon Club at yorktriathlon.onsport.com

• A triathlon event involves a continuous timed race combining the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running in that order.

• Triathlon event distances vary from Super Sprint (300m, 7-10km, 2.5km) to Ironman (3.8km/180km/42km). The standard course (Olympic) is (1.5km, 40km, 10km).

• There are more than 500 clubs and 700 events in the UK to take part in each year.

• The City of York Triathlon takes place on April 27 and is limited to 400 places, based on a first come, first served basis. Find out more at york-sport.com/yorktriathlon

Five facts about triathlon

• It is recommended you stay away from large crowds five-six hours after racing to avoid contracting an illness after a session of strenuous activity!

• In cycling, you are supposed to stay on the right side of the road; the left side is for passing.

• The term ‘blocking’ is riding for a long period of time on the left hand side. It can cost you a time penalty.

• Following the person in front too closely is called ‘drafting’. It is illegal in amateur events.

• The best time for the race is called the course record.