Recently, RAF Boulmer triathletes have been making waves across various sporting events, showcasing their exceptional skills and dedication.
Inter Service Triathlon: A Test of Team Spirit and Endurance
Pilot Officer Bebbington recently competed in the prestigious Inter Service Triathlon, regarded as the pinnacle of athletic competition within the armed forces. This event draws the best athletes from each service, competing in a unique team format where the lowest cumulative time secures victory. Fresh from his graduation at Cranwell just five weeks prior, Bebbington faced the challenge with limited training but immense honour at representing the RAF.
I started strong with a good swim, exiting the water in 4th place and 2nd RAF,” Bebbington recounted. “I settled into the ride and hoped my legs would hold out. After the first of two laps, I had ridden myself into 3rd overall and 1st RAF athlete.
Despite a promising start, fatigue began to set in halfway through the bike leg and Pilot Officer Bebbington found himself in 5th place overall and 4th among the RAF athletes. Bebbington dug deep to finish strong, ultimately crossing the line 13th overall and 5th for the RAF. The RAF men's team secured a close 2nd place overall, just behind the Army, while the women's masters team claimed victory, and the open female team finished 3rd. Bebbington said:
It was a brilliant experience and great to get my RAF colours. I would recommend it to all, and I am motivated to get back to full fitness and see if we can get the RAF team back on that top step next year
Flt Lt Pete Evans Takes on the Woodhorn Triathlon
The 2024 Woodhorn Triathlon took place on Sunday, July 7th, at the Woodhorn Museum of Northumberland in Ashington. Flt Lt Pete Evans, racing for RAF Boulmer, participated in the Sprint Triathlon, featuring a 750m swim, 24km bike ride, and a 6.4km run. Evans said:
It was an earlier start to a Sunday than I usually like, with a 0630-0700 window to get bikes racked and kit laid out in the transition area
Despite a chaotic mass swim start, Evans quickly found his rhythm, completing the swim in 14:58 and exiting the water in 13th place overall.
Transitioning to the bike leg, Evans encountered some challenges. “Damp arms made it a struggle to get my cycling jersey on, and after 30 seconds of trying, it was finally discarded,” he noted. Despite losing a few positions, Evans maintained a steady pace on the bike, finishing this leg in 43:08.
The final run leg was a picturesque 2-lap route around the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park. “The advantage of being the first event and knowing who you were racing was gone, with the Aquathon runners already onto their run leg,” Evans remarked. Nevertheless, he pushed through, ultimately finishing 11th overall and 4th in his age group with a total race time of 1:26:59.
Evans reflected on the event:
The event was very well organised, and I’d highly recommend it. Given its proximity to Boulmer, it is a great venue for both a first triathlon and for competitive racing.
Flt Lt Fran Wilde Shines at Druridge Bay Aquabike
Flight Lieutenant Wilde, of 20 Squadron, recently raced for RAF Triathlon in a Standard Aquabike qualifying race for the GB Age Group team.
The race was hosted locally, at Druridge Bay Country Park, and was part of a festival of multi-sport racing, which comprised of several races over the weekend.
The Aquabike race consists of a 1500m open-water swim and a 40km bike.
Of the race, Wilde said:
The swim is pretty chaotic as it is a mass start, which means that the first 200m tends to be scrappy until the field has started to spread a little. I had a decent swim, managing to settle into my rhythm early on. The bike course is fairly flat and fast which allows you to hit some good speed.
The aim for me was to finish within the top 3 of my age-group in order to pick up an automatic qualifying spot for the GB Age-Group Team for next year’s World Championships. I finished 2nd in Age Category-earning me that GB spot and 8th female overall.
These three race reports highlight the dedication, resilience, and competitive spirit of RAF triathletes. From the team dynamics of the Inter Service Triathlon to individual achievements in Aquabike and Sprint Triathlon events, the RAF athletes showcased their prowess and determination. As they look forward to future competitions, their experiences and lessons learned will undoubtedly fuel their drive for excellence and success in the triathlon world.
