Page 61 - QDG Vol. 9 No. 2 CREST

was 1500m open water swim, 38km open road bike and 10km mostly off-road run.
It was a classic British
summer, freezing in the
morning, then slowly
warming in the afternoon. Nevertheless, both teams
were braced and ready to
take on this Norfolk chal-
lenge, with SSgt Welfoot making sure his false teeth were safely tucked away. After receiving several comprehensive briefs at 0700hrs in the morning, in true army tradition, competitors were still left unsure of the route and transitioning sequence. One wonders how D-Day actually took place. I think the strategy was to just ‘roll with it’. As our competi- tors were conducting the relay event, the order of the day would be swim, cycle, run and beer.
SSgt Welfoot and Mrs Hoey were up first, which in itself is a first for SSgt Welfoot. They both approached the temple of doom where the wetsuits were waiting for them. Mrs Hoey took the lead and quickly slipped into hers, whereas for SSgt Welfoot it was slightly more problem- atic. It’s fair to say Mr Walker and Mr Beal will need extended leave after providing a two-man lift, to get SSgt Welfoot into his wetsuit. As they reached the starting
That was easy!
handover to Mr Walker quickly. However, the Gestapo marshal of the event, didn’t view this as appropriate. Mr Walker was then pulled to the side to wait, popping and locking, it was clear to see his frus- tration. This gruelling run was at its peak throughout the hottest part of the day. Running on the sandy banks and around the lakes, our runners were determined to finish strong. With all in attendance at the finishing line, in came our two, looking like possessed terminators. Mr Walker achieved the run in 42:21mins and Mrs Lloyd following shortly after in 55:06mins.
Overall, the Norwich Triathlon was an excellent opportunity to get our teams out of the office for the day and 2022 has plenty more to offer. Out of 277 competitors and 20+ categories, the male group came 3rd overall in the relays, with a combined time of 2hrs 20mins, 30 seconds behind a silver medal. However, the ladies achieved 2nd in the female relay, with a combined time of 2hrs 43mins, an excellent achievement for both teams. As Covid-19 restrictions reduce, more events will be announced, and the Regiment will be keen to get more teams involved.
SW
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
59
Triathlon
During 2021, there were many uncer- tainties for sports due to Covid-19. Nevertheless, government guidelines were reduced in the summer and the Regiment snatched the opportunity to get involved in the Norwich Triathlon at Whitlingham. Two teams entered the summer’s event, a male group with three competitors: WO2 Walker (HQ SSM), WO2 Beal (MTWO) and SSgt Welfoot (RACTR JCC TP LDR) and a far superior female group with the wives of serving personnel: Susie Lloyd (CO), Lydia Hoey (2IC) and Nicola Pearce (UWO). The standard distance triathlon
One wonders how D-Day actually took place
point an option to acclima- tise was offered but only after starting their team time, funnily enough, no one took that option. The route wasn’t clear given the mist and fog and of course the initial army briefing. Strictly following
the latest army intelligence reports and maps, most of the competitors ended up taking the scenic route, as opposed to the actual route. Nevertheless, given the extra distance, SSgt Welfoot managed to make the transition in 29:06mins and Mrs Hoey achieved 35:48mins. Then we were onto the Cyclists, with Mr Beal and Mrs Pearce looking sharp in their lycra and after a smooth transition they were hitting the road. Weaving in and out of traffic our cyclists were strong contenders throughout. Mr Beal achieved a time of 1hr 7mins and Mrs Pearce close behind in 1hr 10mins.
Finally, our runners were up. Given it had been two hours since the competi- tion started, the runners were a classic D shape pasty and three brews in to keep the energy levels high. However, this transition didn’t quite go to plan for the male group. Mr Beal ran across the mat with the timer in his hand in an attempt to