Sponsorship Needed as Kidderminster Teacher Selected for Team GB
A Kidderminster music teacher is over the moon after being selected by the British Triathlon Federation to represent Team GB in both the European and World Sprint Duathlon Age Group Championships in 2020.
Holy Trinity School and Sixth Form teacher Sarah Paterson will compete in the European Championships in Spain next March and the World Championships in Amsterdam in September.
Putting her qualification down to a good bike, her tenacity and a willingness to ‘give it a go’ she was “pleasantly surprised” to be selected having only entered her first Duathlon in March earlier this year.
51-year-old Sarah commented: “I love both running and cycling, so to be able to combine the two disciplines in a competitive arena is both challenging and exciting.
”I’m also really chuffed to be putting on a GB vest at my ripe old age. I won’t be threatening any podium place, but I will certainly be going out to compete at my very best. The hardest part will be fitting in all the training during the winter months and staying injury-free.”
The events will involve a 5km run, 20 km cycle ride before a final 2.5 km run.
Sarah had initially asked her students for advice on the transitions, as many of them compete at County level. Now she’s competing at international level there are cost implications as all competitions are self-funded.
Said Sarah: “The children have been fantastic and really supportive and often ask if I’m running or cycling home.
“I was very green before my first Duathlon, with really no idea about all the rules and borrowed a carbon-frame bike for the qualifying round, but now I need to fund my GB kit, flights and my accommodation so I’m actively focusing on finding sponsorship to ensure that I can take part and compete next March.”
Anyone interested in sponsoring Sarah can contact her through the school by calling 01562 822929 or email: office@holytrinity.co.uk
Holy Trinity School and Sixth Form teacher Sarah Paterson will compete in the European Championships in Spain next March and the World Championships in Amsterdam in September.
Putting her qualification down to a good bike, her tenacity and a willingness to ‘give it a go’ she was “pleasantly surprised” to be selected having only entered her first Duathlon in March earlier this year.
51-year-old Sarah commented: “I love both running and cycling, so to be able to combine the two disciplines in a competitive arena is both challenging and exciting.
”I’m also really chuffed to be putting on a GB vest at my ripe old age. I won’t be threatening any podium place, but I will certainly be going out to compete at my very best. The hardest part will be fitting in all the training during the winter months and staying injury-free.”
The events will involve a 5km run, 20 km cycle ride before a final 2.5 km run.
Sarah had initially asked her students for advice on the transitions, as many of them compete at County level. Now she’s competing at international level there are cost implications as all competitions are self-funded.
Said Sarah: “The children have been fantastic and really supportive and often ask if I’m running or cycling home.
“I was very green before my first Duathlon, with really no idea about all the rules and borrowed a carbon-frame bike for the qualifying round, but now I need to fund my GB kit, flights and my accommodation so I’m actively focusing on finding sponsorship to ensure that I can take part and compete next March.”
Anyone interested in sponsoring Sarah can contact her through the school by calling 01562 822929 or email: office@holytrinity.co.uk
