It’s a fitting event as tri club celebrate 21 years

TUFFY Fitty Triathalon Club members had just enough breath left to blow out the candles on their cake as they celebrated their 21st anniversary with what they do best at Arundel Lido last Wednesday.

The oldest triathlon club in Sussex celebrated in style with 60 members and guests of the 150-strong membership turning out on a wet and overcast evening to celebrate the way they know how.

The celebration had competitors taking on a race which entailed a 16-length swim of the Arundel Lido and then out into Arundel for a three-mile run past the Black Rabbit and back.

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Competitors made up teams of three, and the first home were led by David Risebrow, with Andy Ruffer’s team second and Kev Pearson’s third.

All the competitors received a 21st anniversary medal and then the evening concluded with food and drink, including an anniversary cake.

It was a fitting way to celebrate a 21-year history which has seen them, since being formed in 1991, grow to be the biggest triathlon club in Sussex.

The senior-member only club has members ranging from Lancing to Felpham, with around half its members from Worthing.

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Through training up to six nights a week, they have produced some of the best athletes around with 36 ironmen in their ranks and 15 of its members having competed for Team GB.

Training consists of pool, sea and lake swims, road and turbo cycles and on and off-road running to ensure they are ready for race days.

The club are affiliated to the British Triathlon Federation, UK Athletics, Cycle Time Trials and are in the top division of the Brooks Sussex Cross County League.

Not a week goes by without an event or competition for the busy club as they host club championships, social events, club races and trips abroad throughout the season.

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Tuff Fitty chairman Clive Harvey said: “Triathlon is the biggest growing sport in the country and we’re inclusive to all and we’re up to 150 members now.

“Everyone’s got to start somewhere and we have all different standards competing for us.”

Anyone interested in joining Tuff Fitty can contact Clive Harvey via [email protected]

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