How it all began

I started at WJTC when I was in TriStart and I was only good at running!  I started cycling on a little blue mountain bike and my first swimming race took me 15 minutes to do 16 lengths!!!!  I persevered though and managed to win the winter series in 2017 and I took part in the Yorkshire series – my first ever external race was Brooksbank Duathlon as a TriStart in 2018.  In the series I managed 5 podiums and won the trophy for the most points scored in Yorkshire!

In Tri1 I enjoyed the longer distances and came 6^th in Yorkshire in my first year in Tri1.  Unfortunately Covid struck so there was only one race in 2020 which was Brooksbank and I managed second but it was very strange with 2m distancing and no presentation.

The challengers I faced

In Tri 2 I struggled because my peers started to grow and I didn’t!  I got left behind on the bike when people with legs twice the size of mine were speeding past!  I was still competitive in running and after a strong year in my second year in Tri 2 I qualified to represent Yorkshire in the Interregional Triathlon Championships.  This weekend was the weekend I got to know Josh Simpson who was also representing Yorkshire and we have been great friends ever since!

Still very small compared to my peers, I struggled in some events in the Tri 3 age group but having great friends at training (like Josh and Luca) meant that I still enjoyed the sessions and kept on training!  I also had some injuries but that has taught me about injury and recovery and I think this helps me sustain fewer injuries now!  Injuries meant I could run less so I focussed on swimming and cycling and I improved my swim fitness and cycling efficiency, making me a better all round triathlete.

Now and into the future

Now I am competing in the Youth age group and I came 4^th in Yorkshire last year and then went for trials for the Yorkshire talent squad and was accepted in September 2025!  I now look forward to this summer – my last series in the youth age groups!

My advice to younger athletes

My advice to younger athletes would be to remember why you’re doing the training – it feels great when you succeed on race day!  Do more than the 3 sessions a week.  Don’t worry if you’re struggling with one of the disciplines – they’re just an opportunity for improvement and focus in that area! And remember it’s about enjoyment!  Some of my greatest friends are from WJTC!