Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT is that time of the year when local triathletes converge at Springvale House for the Ryan Collett Memorial Triathlon.
The event scheduled for tomorrow is a collaboration between Triathlon Zimbabwe and Springvale House.
It is held in memory and honour of the late Ryan Collett, who pioneered the school’s first triathlon event in 2022. Tomorrow’s competition will serve as selection race number three for the youth (Under-13/Under-15) and juniors (Under-17/Under-19). The juniors will be up for the sprint (750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run) while the youth compete in the super-sprint (375m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run) distance. This means the young athletes will be out to accumulate points that will determine who makes the teams for the South Africa Junior and Youth Championships.
In addition to the sprint and supersprint distances for individuals and teams, the programme for the day includes tri-kidz, trisport, trifun, trifit, and a fun 5km tri-run.
National coach Pamela Fulton said they are looking forward to another competitive and exciting edition. “This event is one of the highlights of our season where we are always accommodated so well in the beautiful grounds of Springvale House. They make a huge effort by awarding all athletes finisher medals as well as the top 100 entries receive a shirt.
“Once again we are expecting loads of little ones competing in the tri-kids and tri-sport categories.
“We also expect a full house of youth and junior selection athletes participating as they try to qualify for South Africa Championships and Africa Championships,” said Fulton.
The organisers will be hoping the regular juniors and youth such as Callum Smith, Zander Botha, Matthew Hilde-brand, Olivia Beamish, Rachel O’Donoghue, the Goddard brothers — John and Sebastian grace tomorrow’s race.
Most of these juniors and youth have had a good start to their season, and would want to continue on a good run as the programme for the year progresses.
Besides individual races, there are team events and Fulton is hopeful for this category as well. “This event is also known for its fun rivalry amongst the team categories, and is always a fantastic way to be introduced to our sport. As we remember Ryan Collett and continue to pursue his dream for triathlon in Zimbabwe, we urge everyone to come and join us, and experience this incredible race,” added Fulton.
The Ryan Collett Memorial triathlon has become a permanent feature on the local calendar, and attracts some of the leading youth and junior athletes. Posting on their Facebook page, Triathlon Zimbabwe said: “Ryan was the driving force behind the instigation, organisation and execution of the inaugural event held in 2022.
“Ryan passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly in March 2023 and in his memory and honour, we continue to collaborate with Springvale House School and hold this event on an annual basis,” reads part of the post.
The event is open to all age groups.
