Inter-Services 30th Anniversary Triathlon

Elite teams from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF battled through scorching weather to compete in the annual OA Inter-Services Triathlon at Cotswold Water Park.

Competitors swam through 1.5km of open water, cycled 41km of tricky terrain and finished the course with a 10km run. The high temperatures provided additional challenges.

The Army dominated the team prizes, winning both male and female open races and the male veterans’ race. The efforts of the women’s team included retired Olympic rowing champion, Major Heather Stanning OBE.

There was also individual success, with Lieutenant Rosie Wild winning both the women’s race and fastest female officer award, having never competed in the championship before. Lieutenant Henry Eaton retained the men’s fastest officer award and came second overall. Senior Aircraftman Luke Pollard, RAF, won the men’s race for a record four times in a row.

This year the Inter-Services triathlon celebrated its 30th anniversary and to commemorate this special event, veterans participated. These ‘legends’ included people from the original championship. In addition, guest teams from the Police and Prison Service also competed.

The annual event is sponsored by the Officers’ Association (OA), and was organised this year by the Royal Navy Triathlon Association.