|  |  |  | | | | VILLAGERS GET SET FOR A TRI-ING CHALLENGE | | | | |
| |  The village team of triathletes
Release Date: 11th May 2006
A group of Oxfordshire villagers are preparing to abandon neighbourly friendliness for a good cause, as they compete in the 2006 Blenheim Triathlon to raise vital cash for Leukaemia Research.
The six-strong group from Middle Barton (Michael Beale, Jimmy Stewart, Simon Day, Sammy Simpson, Dean Sheppard and Sharron Evans) are training for the three-event race after a challenge in the pub.
“We are a group of friends who all enjoy sport, and in the pub one day we were trying to find a way for us all to compete against each other,” says Michael Beale, 31. “Simon’s mum works at Blenheim Palace and told us about the triathlon – it seemed like the perfect way to test ourselves and raise money for a charity that does so much good work.”
Training for the triathlon has not been easy for two members of the group – Jimmy and Dean have enlisted in swimming lessons to cope with the lake swim leg of the event, which takes place on 20th and 21st May 2006.
“Jimmy and Dean couldn’t swim, but have got in the spirit of things and taken swimming lessons – Jimmy is even doing the longer-distance Sprint event and thinks he can catch the rest of us up on the cycling leg!” adds Michael, a panel beater.
The Blenheim Triathlon is now in its second year following on from its great success in 2005. The venue has made this triathlon one of most scenic in the world, and attracts as many as 3,000 participants. With short distance races available, the event is a great race for those who are starting off their triathlon season.
Leukaemia Research’s Banana Army triathletes will be out in force on the day, with 750 fundraisers taking part who are aiming to raise a massive £200,000. They will be joined by ex-Communications Director and staunch Leukaemia Research supporter Alastair Campbell, as well as famous faces from TV and film running as part of the TVTimes-Asics sponsored celebrity running team.
Alastair Campbell says: “It is over a year since I did a triathlon so I'm delighted to be doing another one at blenheim, even if the training seems to get tougher as 50 gets nearer.
“The great thing about triathlon though is that there are all kinds of different ways of doing it, including the sprint and super sprint, and the relay events which mean you only have to do one of the three disciplines,” adds Campbell. “But because Leukaemia Research has become the best represented charity at triathlon events, and we have the banana army out in force, if like me you do the whole thing, there is plenty of support out there to keep you going.”
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