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Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe national coach Pamela Fulton is hopeful of another successful edition of the Springvale House Ryan Collett Memorial Triathlon set for tomorrow.
The event is held in honour of the late Ryan Collett, who initiated the inaugural event hosted by the school a few years ago.
The national association stage the event in collaboration with Springvale House.
Posting on their Facebook page, Triathlon Zimbabwe said it will be held on an annual basis.
“Ryan was the driving force behind the instigation, organisation and execution of the inaugural event held in 2022.
“It proved to be the most fantastic weekend and everyone who participated had an amazing time and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
“Ryan passed away suddenly on March 2023 and in his memory and honour, we have collaborated with Springvale House School, and this event will continue to be held on an annual basis.”
The idea aligned with Triathlon Zimbabwe’s development initiatives to take the sport to schools which they continue to push as they want to grow the sport.
Fulton said after a positive turnout for the first memorial event last year, they are hopeful of a successful edition tomorrow when they return to Springvale House.
“He wanted to have triathlon at Springvale House which would attract schools from around the area to also come and participate in triathlon.
“The very first race was held three years ago, where Triathlon Zimbabwe worked with Ryan Collett to ensure that this event worked well and it was a great success, last year being the first memorial race.
“And it was very well supported with just under 200 athletes across all ages that came and participated.
“So, we have worked again with Ryan’s wife to ensure that this event once again will be a big success and I know we have got over 100 entries pre-registered already and we will definitely have a lot more that come on the day to enter.”
The event serves as selection race for juniors and youths seeking to accumulate points for tours such as the South Africa Junior and Youth Championships to be held next year.
The first selection race was held last month at Mount Pleasant Pool.
“He really hoped that it will become a selection race.
“So last year we included that, it’s a selection race and the course is actually very technical and very similar to a World Triathlon race where there are lots of short laps, very technical, lots of corners.
“And there is a really great vibe and will attract people from the local area as well as the Harare athletes who travel a lot to compete in this event.
“And regular triathletes who have been doing triathlon for many years at Mount Pleasant just say this course is fantastic. It’s a really awesome event, so it’s all good that we carry on having this by the support of Springvale, who are also very keen to develop triathlon at the school and within the whole area of Marondera,” said Fulton.
Other races on offer include the AG Sprint open to participants aged 16 and above, tri-run for all ages, tri-kidz for the six-and-under age group, and trisport for participants aged between six and 11.
The programme of the day also includes the AG Super-Sprint, which is open to participants aged 12 and above as well as the tri-fit and tri-fun events.
Online Reporter