The European Triathlon champs are being held in Portugal on the 14th – 23rd June and Colchester Rover member Mick Bond, will be competing in his relevant age group at this event and has been training hard over the last few months in preperation.
“I have previously represented GB Triathlon Age Group Team at five European Championships between 2016 – 2019, before Covid restrictions stopped all events. During 2021 I had heart surgery & a total hip replacement. This followed on from a previous “unsuccessful “hip resurfacing in 2012 that ended my running career!
I returned to racing Triathlon in 2022 & won my age group (65-69) qualification race for the 2023 European Standard Distance.
In September 2023 I travelled to Holland to support a friend who was representing GB in the European Long Course race at Challenge Almere, so decided to enter the accompanying open Middle Distance (half Iron Man) event.
I finished fourth in my age group, behind three athletes from the Netherlands, so was encouraged to try qualifying for the 2024 European Championships over the same distance.
Qualification is based on your performance in a similar event & percentage of finishing time compared to the winner.
The European Championships are being held in Coimbra, Portugal on 22 June 2024 & all costs, travel, accommodation, etc are self-financed.
I am currently training eight sessions per week, two swimming, three cycling & three running. I will add an open water swim as soon as the water temperature improves!
I will be 69yrs old in September, so I am nearing the top end of my age group & my aim this year is to maintain my performances prior to moving up an age group.”
Mick Bond.
We wish Mick all the best for June and if you would like any more information on how to get involved yourself from what it entails to how to qualify and apply then please see the link below.