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.

Moving to Harrogate

Jon moved to Harrogate from Leicester nine years ago.

He had first got a flavour of the town while based at the Army Foundation College during his time in the British Army as a physical training instructor.

After upping sticks and moving his life to North Yorkshire, he joined the Harrogate Triathlon Club.

He had initially started the sport in 2011, when he took on an event with his brother.

“There was a sprint triathlon in Stratford and I really enjoyed it. He didn’t enjoy it so much, so I decided to progress from there.”

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.

Read more: 

• The Harrogate open water swimmer set to take on the English Channel
• Knaresborough Town pair championing women’s football after remarkable season
• Harrogate Parkrun founder’s trek through ‘the toughest footrace on earth’

Jon took up the chairmanship in 2021 and oversees the running of the club.

For him, much of the enjoyment comes from facilitating the club for its members – some of whom have never run a triathlon before.

“The ethos of the club is bringing together like-minded people.

“We have a range of athletes who are very experienced, Great Britain level age group and compete in iron man distances. Then we have got members who have never done a triathlon in their life and just want to start out in doing swimming, biking or running.”

Inspirational members

Some members of the club are athletic and compete at a high level – but not all of them.

Jon points to Dave Newby as an example of one of those people.

Dave came to club in late 2022 with an aim of losing weight and making new friends – both of which he achieved within 12 months.

“Dave has been on a massive journey and lost a considerable amount of weight. He’s a lot stronger, because we do a lot of fitness training in the club.

“He’s now swimming, biking and running on a regular basis.”

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.

“She is a real high performer when it comes to age group representing her country.

“She competes in the 70-74 age group, which is incredible. If you look at many 70 to 74 year olds, you wouldn’t expect them to be competing for their country and winning those races.”

Growing the club

Jon has ambitions for the club in his time as chairman.

While there is no time limit on how long he can hold the post for, there are areas which he feels the club can improve.

Jon says part of the club’s strategy is to bring in younger athletes within the 20 to 45 age bracket, as well as female and disabled athletes.

But, perhaps the biggest challenge is to tackle the stigma of triathlon.

“Triathlon is sometimes a word that scares people.

“We don’t want to put that as a barrier. So we’re thinking of potentially rebranding into some multi-sports domain where people see us and they can do different sorts of events – not just triathlon.”

Another element is tackling the expense that comes with participating in triathlon.

“It can be seen as an expensive sport because potentially there is lots of gear to buy.

“You don’t need all the gear to start. If you’ve got a pair of trainers, goggles and a bike then that will do to get you going. There’s an endless list of things you can invest in, but you don’t need all that to start.

“The best thing is to just come along and try it.”

So, what does Jon want to achieve before he relinquishes his position as chairman?

Attracting a younger demographic is among the top priorities.

“It’s quite a challenge, because at that age people are busy doing other stuff.”

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”.

“I think ultimately we want to keep the culture of the club. There’s a lot of clubs you go to where you feel like you’re the only one and you’re out of the clique.

“All the members are really supportive. The culture of the club is very social and very supportive. That’s something that we want to keep.”

If you have any local sporting heroes who you think should be featured in Sporting Spotlight, contact calvin@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Two young brothers from Nidderdale are following in the footsteps of their sporting heroes, who have sent them words of encouragement. 

Angus and Alfie Millar received hand-written letters from the Brownlee brothers, along with treasured items of their sporting kit, after writing to the famous pair. 

The Yorkshire-born Brownlee brothers rank among Britain’s greatest living athletes. Alistair Brownlee won gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, and younger brother Jonathan Brownlee won gold in the mixed relay at the 2020 Olympics and is a six-time world triathlon champion.

Inspired by their success, Ripon Grammar School pupils Angus, 13, and Alfie, 12, are representing their county in triathlon, with ambitions to go further. 

Having taken up the endurance multisport six years ago, both were selected for the Yorkshire team in national championships, held at Mallory Park in Leicestershire, after beating off stiff competition from throughout the county. 

In the finals, where their county came ninth overall, they were up against the best young athletes from England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands. Angus has since been selected for the Yorkshire Talent Squad, following challenging trials, and won bronze at the recent national schools fell-running championships. 

Angus Millar during a fell-running race.

The boys live near Pateley Bridge, about 20 miles from Bramhope, Leeds, where the Brownlees were born. 

In his response to the boys’ fan letter, Alistair Brownlee wrote:  

“We started when we were the same age as you are now. We are both thrilled that we are an inspiration. Keep up the training and hopefully we will meet at a race one day!” 

Angus said they were also delighted to receive a signed swim cap and photo, along with a World Series tri-suit. He said: 

“The Brownlee brothers are a big inspiration. We love watching them race.” 

Alfie, who fits in his triathlon training at 6.30am before school and at weekends, said he was inspired by their story:

“Even at the age of 12, Jonny came last at his cross country and started to train even more until he improved greatly and got really good.” 

Having been placed third in several Yorkshire triathlons, Angus said:  

“Triathlon is my main sport and I devote lots of time to it and love to train. I did lots of training for the latest race, where the level was very high.

“I would love to compete in other big races around the country and it would be nice to keep doing triathlon at a high level.” 

Read more:

• Tens of thousands set to flock to Pateley Bridge for major new sports event
• Olympic champion to present prizes at Sunday’s Harrogate 10K
• Harrogate school raises £6,500 in 1,000-mile cycling challenge

Harrogate Triathlon will return on May 8 — and as many as 300 people could take part.

The triathlon, which will take place in the grounds of Ashville College, has been going for about 10 years and new event director Paul Sykes hopes it will get bigger each year.

The most recent event, in September 2021, saw an increased number of participants after a covid hiatus. Harrogate Tri Club, which organises the event, hopes to capitalise on the eagerness of people to get back into events after lockdowns.

Mr Sykes said:

“Triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and our sprint and GO TRI distance events are perfect for anyone who is curious about or new to the sport. We have a great venue at Ashville College, and this year’s event will be bigger than ever as we will be hosting an under-18s event for the first time.

“It promises to be a great family day out and I’d really encourage people to either sign up or come along and spectate if they’re at all curious.”

The event is run by Harrogate Tri Club volunteers. Photograph: Harrogate Tri Club

The main event is the sprint triathlon, which involves a 420m pool swim, 24km bike ride and a 4.6km run. The run goes along Green Lane and Yew Tree Lane whereas the bike ride takes participants towards Beckwithshaw.

The second event, called a GO TRI, is aimed at people who are less confident about tackling the sprint triathlon. It consists of a 180m swim, 12km bike ride and a 2.3km run.

There is also an event for juniors, aged 8 to 18-years-old, which ranges in distances depending on age.

Read more:

• Sparkling awards evening for Ripon City Netball Club
• Scenic 42-mile walking route from Bradford to Ripon created

The Tri Club, which organises the event, said the event was set up in 2012 following the London Olympics.

There will be stands from multiple brands including Harrogate’s Cold Bath Brewery and OTE Nutrition from Leeds.