On the 7th September 2012 the first Skelmersdale Fire Station Triathlon was held. Damian O’Shaughnessy (Paddy) was the organiser, and managed to cajole 20 people to enter, some (not many) seasoned triathletes, but for many it was their first. The course consisted of a 400m swim in the local pool, followed by a 12 mile bike ride around the outskirts of Skem, taking in part of the Tour of Britain route, including Crank Road Hill, a beast of a 25% gradient hill which a lot were quietly worried about. To finish was a 3 mile run around Tanhouse Road which circled the Fire station.
To not let anyone get out of it Paddy allowed 2 team entries for those that felt the whole event was a bit beyond their capabilities, which worked as the start sheet was full come race day.
We were set of in groups of 4, the slowest first, or so we thought, and the first swimmers emerged after about 9 minutes, jumping on bikes with wobbly legs muttering among other things ‘what am I doing’ to themselves. There was a photographer at the top of crank Rd hill to capture the pained expressions as the riders crested the hill, luckily there wasn’t a microphone to record the swear words and cursing, poor Paddy was called all the names under the sun that day.
The 3 mile run followed, which some took very seriously, completing it in 14 minutes, and others that didn’t, as can be seen in the pictures.
After all the complaining around the course everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and congratulated Paddy on a great event, although some vowed never to repeat it! I think that might change come next year though.
The event finished off with the prize giving and food kindly made by our station cook.
Thanks must go to the Station Manager for allowing us to run the event, Paddy for organising it, and all who competed, including the local councillor, who did the run in a skeleton suit!
The event raised approximately £100 for the fund, which we are extremely grateful for.
Blue Watch
