Longparish School was out in force at the annual Andover Triathlon on St Swithun’s day - and for once this summer it didn’t rain!

In what is now an annual event for the school, Longparish - which has 101 pupils - assembled a mighty team of 27 - that’s nearly a quarter of the school and half of the junior children.

The children, whose ages range from 7 to 11, have been training every Thursday evening after school for the entire summer term. They’ve used the school playing field, a local football pitch, various footpaths and a private swimming pool. In fact Tri-Club is now the school’s most popular after school activity.

During the event, which was held in the beautiful grounds of Farleigh School, the children swam 88 metres, before jumping out of the pool and running to their bicycles: They then cycled 2.5 kilometres, before abandoning their bikes and running the final leg of 750 metres to the finish line.

Their training paid off: Some of the children were entering the Triathlon for the fourth year running and saw a marked improvement in their previous times.

Each part of the event was timed – including the transition times, the time it takes to move to and prepare for the next activity.

It’s an exhausting event but every one of the Longparish team finished - despite a few incidents, such as the odd fall – and a bike chain coming off.

The children thoroughly enjoyed the day - which has a great atmosphere - and the final runners always get the biggest cheer as they gamely muster their strength for a sprint to the finish.

Jacqui Healey who runs Longparish Tri-Club said the children were a real credit to themselves and the school: “These children are amazing: They’re competing in something that is an Olympic sport - it’s a big activity and you need a lot of energy and power for the three events. But they really enjoy it - and that is what sport is all about. Hopefully it could become something they do for life - and the running, cycling and swimming are all activities that you don’t have to spend vast amounts of money to take part in.”

Based on information supplied by Alison Cooper.