Bexhill's first ever triathlon

The event is to be held on Sunday August 30 and is being organised by Paul Holdaway of Team Lifestyle.

The event will include a 500 metres triangular sea swim, a 25k bike ride and a 5k run, and if you are up for it places are still available but the entry is filling fast.

Paul said: "We have 140 entries so far - I have kept it to 200 just because that's a nice race number.

"With the entries I have got so far there is a large percentage of women and different ages, and we always try to push our races as ideal for beginners.

"Not many of them have been in an open sea swim before, or a triathlon, so I have been holding training sessions during the last six weeks to help people feel comfortable in the sea and practice their siting.

"For the race they will set off in waves of 50/60 swimmers, so it's good to get used to it first because, unlike a pool where you put your head down and just swim, you have to keep looking up to know where you are going.

"The idea of the training sessions was for people to meet others who are doing the race, and give beginners some idea of race day, just little things you can learn about transition to save some time, and get familiar with the area and where the course is going to be.

"The sessions have been really good - I don't know of any other race where they lead that type of training as such."

The race on August 20 will start at 7.45am and competitors will need to arrive from 5.30-6am for registration and to rack up their bikes.

The sea swim will take place off West Parade, just near the Sovereign Light Cafe, then competitors return to the Polegrove for transition and the bike ride up to the Pevensey roundabout and back, second transition at the Polegrove and the final stage which is the run along the seafront to the lower promenade at Cooden and back to the Polegrove.

Paul said: "What we want is to put on a really professional race for the athletes. Holding races ourselves and still being competitive in the sport means we want to give something back - also, we really know what makes a good race, and as a competitor what you like to see when you turn up. And that's a good and friendly atmosphere where everything possible is done for the atheletes."

Looking ahead to the race he commented: "We will have a real mix from total beginners right through - from what I have seen of the entry list there are some very good athletes."

For further information Paul can be contacted at [email protected] or on 01424 810096, or visit http://www.lifestylegym.co.uk/bexhilltriathlon/index.php