On Saturday, over 100 athletes took part in the inaugural Carew Airfield Junior Duathlon. The event was organised by Sion Jenkins who runs local junior triathlon club Just Tri for children aged between seven and 14.

The event attracted lots of local athletes, but saw plenty of athletes travel from further afield. The day was split up in to four races; a fun duathlon, TriStars 1 (9-10-year-olds), TriStars 2 (11-12) and TriStars 3 (13 to 14). Each race consisted of a run, bike and a run of varying distances depending on the age category.

The fun duathlon for children aged between seven and 14 was won by Joseph Morris of Just Tri, who stomped home in a time of seven minutes and 35 seconds. Toby Hounsell and Skye Bruce, also with Just Tri, joined Joseph on the podium with a third and second in their gender categories.

TriStars 1 was a highly competitive race, with 30 children split into two waves. Local athletes Hazel Lister and Solomon Silverstone picked up third place in their respective waves. Hazel finished in 16 minutes and Solomon in 13 minutes and 57 seconds.

TriStars 2 was even bigger, with 33 children split into two waves. Maddy James led from the start and raced superbly to pick up first place in a time 21 minutes and 15 seconds, over a minute ahead of second place. In the boys category, the top three raced superbly and were neck and neck throughout the race. Finley Bruce ran well to clinch silver in 20 minutes and 15 seconds.

The final race of the day saw the TriStars 3 run 2km, followed by a 6km bike and a 500m run to finish off. In a strong field, local boys Morgan Williams and James Price picked up first and third with times of 24:31 and 25:54. Megan Cole picked up third in the girls wave with a time of 28:51, finishing behind two very strong athletes.

“It was great to see so many athletes from Pembrokeshire participating,” said Sion Jenkins, race organiser. “The whole point of the day was to offer children the opportunity to race in a multi-sport event and to have fun and enjoy themselves.”

The event was kindly sponsored by Harbour Wealth, Independent Financial Planners of Tenby, who donated medals and t-shirts for all finishers. Valero and Tenby Round Table both assisted greatly on the day and photographs of the athletes were captured by Susan and Brian McKehon.

For more information about Just Tri Junior Triathlon Club, email [email protected]

Photographs by

Brian and Susan McKehon