Walhampton Triathlon

The triathlon is open to children in Years 2-8, both Walhampton pupils and participants who are part of the wider New Forest community/friends of Walhampton. 

This year we are holding both an individual triathlon for those looking for a timed challenge and a fun team triathlon with three options for distances. 

The team event is completed in teams of four as a relay. Your team may be boys, girls or mixed. Each participant does each element of the triathlon as a relay. If you have a participant who, for example would prefer not to swim, another team mate can do that element twice.

Click HERE to enter (non-Walhampton participants to also complete THIS FORM). Timings are for the swim only. The run and bike may be completed as a team whenever you are all ready. For the team event transitions are not timed. The individual event is timed, start to finish. 

Please arrive at the event approximately 30 minutes before your swim time to park, register, store your bike, change etc. 

Entry cost £25 per pupil (which includes an event t-shirt) and this will be added to your next school invoice. Any non-Walhampton children will need to pay their entry fee via a payment link that will be sent to them before the event.

See our event poster HERE. 

Entries close on 10 September. 

Swim:

• Swimming costume

• Towel

• Swim cap/goggles (not compulsory)

• Bag for wet clothes

Cycle:

• Cycling/running clothing

• Bike helmet (compulsory)

• Bike (you may share bikes where practical)

Run:

• Warm clothing for afterwards

• Trainers (compulsory)

How much is the entry fee?

Entry cost £25 per participant and this will be added to your next school invoice. Any non-Walhampton children will need to pay their entry fee via a payment link or be added to their friends bill. Your entry fee includes a triathlon t-shirt. 

There is an entry fee to take part in the triathlon and therefore no pressure to fundraise further, but we have set up a Just Giving page for anyone who would like to seek further sponsorship.

What charity is the Walhampton Triathlon supporting?

The profits from the entry fee and any additional money participants raise through Just Giving will go to support the Walhampton School Foundation Trust. The Trust is a charity, providing a new structure for fundraising. Its main purpose is the provision of bursaries to enable pupils to enter the School who do not otherwise have the means to pay school fees. In that way, the Trust enables us to build a valuable legacy for the future, which fulfils one of the founding objectives of the School – to broaden access to the education our School offers in the community.

Hosting a triathlon is a fantastic way for the children to have fun taking part in an event, to not only challenge themselves physically, but also work together to complete this as a team, all whilst raising funds to allow other children the opportunity to experience a Walhampton education.

What is my start time?

Please choose your start time on the sign up sheet. This is the time you start your SWIM. For the team event each team will be called as a group to change approximately 20 minutes before this time but please aim to arrive approximately 30 minutes before this time to allow time to park, register and put your bike in the bike area and warm up. Ideally arrive with your swim kit underneath your sports kit.

Is the triathlon timed?

For the fun team event for those who would like to yes the swim part will be timed by our sports department and we'll give parents a timing card for them to note down times for their team to add up your total at the end and receive a 'finisher stamp' from Mr Timms! Note that transitions are not timed.

For the new individual event participants will be timed (start and finish time) including transitions. 

Is there any specialist equipment required?

No specialist equipment is required. The only equipment needed is a bike and helmet. Bikes can be shared between team members as long as they are of similar height. However, every child must bring their own helmet. The only footwear permitted is normal running shoes. 

Do I have to bring a bike? Are children (as a team) allowed to use the same bike?

Yes please. Children as a team may use the same bike as long as you are relatively the same height. Every child must bring their own helmet.

How long is the course?

Individual  (Year 5+):  Swim 8 lengths, bike 2km, run 1.4km.
Distances for the Team Mini (Year 2/3): Swim 1 length, bike 500m, run 400m.
Distances for the Team Short (Year 3+): Swim 2 lengths, bike 1km, run 700m.
Distances for the Team Long (Year 5+): Swim 4 lengths, bike 1.5km, run 1km.

Can I use any stroke for the swim?

You may use any stroke for the swim apart from backstroke. Floats or noodles are also available for those that may need a little more help. 

Can I volunteer?

Any additional volunteers would of course be extremely welcome as this event wouldn't be possible without our wonderful volunteers, please email triathlon@walhampton.com if you can spare some time to help. 

Will there be refreshments available?

Yes Chef Richard will be serving the following to purchase: tea, coffee, soft drinks, breakfast goods, snacks, fruit and sandwiches. Click to see last year's menu Triathlon Catering Menu, this year's menu will be posted closer to the event. 

When do the participants receive their triathlon t-shirts?

We will hand these out at school before the event or they can be picked up on the day from the registration tent. 

Are spectators encouraged?

Absolutely. This is a fun day for family and friends and support makes all the difference to the children completing this challenge. The better the atmosphere the more fun the competitors will have so please come along.

Can I bring a dog?

While we love dogs at Walhampton they do not mix well with kids, bikes and the front lawn so we'd ask you to leave your dogs at home please. 

What about Pre-Prep?

Pre-Prep will be doing a 'Mini-Triathlon' on Friday 19 September. More details to follow. Pre-Prep spectators are very welcome on the Saturday.

The Mini course is each team member swimming 1 length of the school pool.

The Short course is each team member swimming 2 lengths of the school pool.

The Long course is each team member swimming 4 lengths of the school pool.

The Individual course is each participant swimming 8 lengths of the school pool.

Participants may use any stroke for the swim apart from backstroke. 

Floats or noodles are also available for those that may need a little more help. 

You may use your own swim cap if you wish, but it is not a requirement.

You may also wish to wear goggles, but it is not a requirement. 

For the team event the swim relay works as follows:
1. The first team member gets in the pool, with all teams’ first team member starting together on the sound of the whistle.
2. The second team member can get into the water as soon as the first team member has started, then begin their swim when the first team member touches the end of the pool.
3. The first team member gets out of the pool as the second team member starts their swim and the third team member gets in ready for the next handover, and so on....
4. Keep cheering until the the last participant of the group completes their swim!

The Mini course is each team member biking 500m around the sports pitches. 

The Short course is each team member biking 1km around the sports pitches. 

The Long course is each team member biking 1.5km around the sports pitches. 

The Individual course is each participant biking 2km around the sports pitches.

Participants will need to bring a bike and there will be bike racks on the front lawn to store these when you arrive. 

A mountain or hybrid bike is recommended as the bike section is on grass. 

Participants in a team may use the same bike as long as they are relatively the same height. 

Every participant must bring their own helmet.

The Mini course is each team member running 400m around the woods. 

The Short course is each team member running 700m around the woods. 

The Long course is each team member running 1km around the woods. 

The Individual course is each participant srunning 1km around the woods. 

Normal trainers are the only footwear permitted.