Three colleagues from a Manchester chemicals company swam, cycled and ran their best ever times in an elite triathlon event in aid of mental health charity Mind.
Conor Wilkinson, Jonathan Burt and Robert Jennings from Blackley-based chemicals company Lubrizol were the fastest relay team to complete this year’s Birmingham Triathlon at Alderford Lake in Shropshire.
They took part in the event as part of Lubrizol’s ‘Olympics’ initiative which is aiming to raise £25,000 for Mind across all its UK sites by encouraging members of staff to complete sporting challenges of different distances.
Jonathan Burt, Robert Jennings and Conor Wilkinson.
With Conor taking on a 1.5 kilometre swim; Jonathan pedalling 40 kilometres on his bike and Robert Jennings finishing off with a 10k run, the Lubrizol team came tenth in the overall race, where they were up against some seasoned triathletes along with GB age group competitors.
For all three, it was the first time they had taken part in a triathlon which they did collectively in a time of two hours and 23 minutes, raising £415 for Mind in the process.
Conor said: “After a 4am alarm and a couple of hours’ drive we were raring to go at Alderford Lake! I’ve taken part in open water swimming races in the past but this was my first triathlon – as it was for Jonathan and Robert too.
“I really enjoyed the swim and was pleased to leave the water ninth overall, completing 1.5 kilometres over two laps in just over 24 minutes – a new personal best for me.
Robert Jennings in action doing his 10k run.
“Jonathan did amazingly with his 40 kilometre bike ride, completing two laps of the surrounding A roads in an incredible time of an hour and 12 minutes, another personal best. Then it was up to Robert to bring home the race with a 10 kilometre run, which he did in 42 minutes, sealing a relay victory for the Lubrizol Olympics team.”
Conor said he had recently started regularly swimming after work which he said helped him relax and keep fit after working in his day job in Lubrizol’s sales department.
He said: “I find swimming a really good way to relax. It was really good to take part in a triathlon for such a great cause too. I think Covid has brought home to all of us that many people are really struggling with their mental health and Mind is such a great charity for reaching out to those in distress.
“The day itself was great, really well organised and enjoyable. We all enjoyed it and would love to do something similar again – maybe closer to home next time though!”
For more information, please contact Lucy Stephens at Penguin PR on lucy@penguinpr.co.uk or 0771 983 9446.
