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17
Dec 2023
Some may find the word “triathlon” daunting and exhausting, but Jon Chamberlain disagrees.
The Harrogate Triathlon Club chairman has been in post two years, but has ambitions to broaden the club’s appeal.
The organisation boasts 160 members and an eclectic membership base, ranging from 70 year old athletes to those taking their first steps into the sport.
For Jon, the club is a family - but it could be more than that.
Jon, who is 51, has gone onto the race the world and European triathlons in Venice and Ibiza in his age group.
The sport has fostered a community for Jon, which he enjoys on a weekly basis in Harrogate.
The club was founded in 2012 as a legacy of the London Olympics and is made up of 130 adults and 30 juniors.
It hosts fundraising events, training sessions and an annual triathlon at Ashville College - the next of which will be held in April 2024.
Jane Holmes and Dave Newby.
Last year, Dave completed four triathlons and various 5k,10k and 21k races. Now, he’s training to compete an ironman contest in Nottingham in May 2024.
On the other end of the scale, Jane Holmes is competing in world championships in her 70s.
Jane is described as an “inspiration” to members of the club, Jon says, and helps to coach youngsters starting out in triathlon.
She currently world champion after finishing first in the World Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championships in Hamburg this year.
She also finished first place in the World Duathlon in Ibiza and European Duathlon in Venice this year.
Another element is tackling the expense that comes with participating in triathlon.
So, what does Jon want to achieve before he relinquishes his position as chairman?
Attracting a younger demographic is among the top priorities.
For Jon, the key will be maintaining the culture of the club and keeping it as the big family that attracted people to it in the first place.
While there is an ambition to attract more people to take up triathlon, he does not want to grow it “too big”.
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