Mexican Fiesta make home advantage count at inaugural school triathlon

THE Oratory School welcomed more than 800 pupils from 38 schools for its inaugural Knight Frank Schools Triathlon earlier this month.

Aspiring triathletes ran, swam and cycled 1,700km combined, equivalent to the distance between Guildford and Valencia. In the process, £110,000 was been raised for global youth charity Restless Development and more than 30 other charities chosen by the participating schools.

This was the first year that The Oratory School has hosted the event in what was a community-centred occasion, with businesses and more than 2,000 attendees coming together. The event attracted local interest with schools from The Oratory Prep, Peppard, Shiplake, The Heights, The Hill, The Oratory, Trinity and Whitchurch taking part.

Host school The Oratory had success in the year 7-8 category with the team named Mexican Fiesta taking the honours in a time of 42 minutes and 34 seconds.

During the day volunteers and Oratory pupils and parents gave up their time to ensure the event ran smoothly.

Matthew Fogg, headmaster of The Oratory, said: “The Oratory was delighted to welcome everyone to our inaugural Schools Triathlon. It was a fun-filled event for all, and we are delighted with the funds that have been raised for such a worthwhile cause. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen, and to the event sponsors, Knight Frank and Neilson Active Holidays. We are already looking forward to hosting again next year.”

This event was one of a national series of schools triathlon events organised by Restless Development, which trains, mentors, nurtures and inspires young people to use their youth power and lead change, in line with The Oratory’s own ethos to “Be you. Become more”.