Blackwater Charity Triathlon September 2011

12 Members of RAF Honington Band and Royal Signals (Northern) Band recently took part in the Blackwater Charity Novice/Sprint Triathlon. Tom Milford reports.

The team awoke on the morning of the triathlon to the last remnants of Hurricane Irene as it touched South East England but fortunately the howling gales and the torrential rain eased before the event started at 7.30am.

The novice race got underway first with 8 lengths of the 25m pool and the team nervously made their to the poolside. Ian and Jenny cut through the water effortlessly and were into transition in record time. Meanwhile, Tom managed the entire swim without the aid of his water wings.

The next leg of the race was a 12km cycle along the country roads surrounding Maldon. Described in the race information as an undulating route it came as a surprise to the team to be faced with a hill that would not have been out of place in the Himalayas.

After negotiating several roundabouts and hair pin bends at blistering speed the notorious accident black spot on the return into transition claimed two victims in front of an appreciative crowd of onlookers. Helen narrowly avoided taking out a race marshal who, fortunately was quick witted enough to jump out of the way as Helen crashed to the ground. Tom was the second victim of the black spot and unwilling to risk further injury to his pride or passers by he decided it was safer to carry his bike the remaining few metres to transition.

Fortunately the last leg of the novice race, a 3km run through Promenade Park went without further hitches. Everyone completed the race in respectable times and on crossing the finishing line was presented with a medal.

It was then the turn of Carla, Andrew and Kevin to compete in the sprint race. Kevin, a highly experienced tri-athlete, narrowly avoided disqualification before the race had even started when he realised that his cycle helmet had been left at Honington. Fortunately Chris saved the day when, much to Kevin’s delight, he produced a Barbie pink cycle helmet. After completing the 400-metre swim Kevin and Andrew were out on the roads cycling and running without problem and finished the race hardly breaking sweat! Meanwhile, Carla emerged from the pool with her usual calm manner eased and eased into transition. Her only problem being a cloud of mysterious talcum powder cloud which impaired her vision and nearly cost her the race.

The novice tri-athletes had already completed and were tucking into a bacon sandwich and coffee so missed the early part of the sprint race but as the race reached its conclusion they gathered at the finish line to cheer in Andrew, Kevin and Carla.

The tired athletes headed home to RAF Honington where they were greeted by the support team who lovingly prepared and served them all with chocolate chilli and fresh bread, washed down with several glasses of champagne.

Musicians Conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro ~ October 2010

Musicians Rob Head and Alison Light have succeeded in their attempt to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

They set off as part of a 33-strong team to tackle Africa´s highest peak, which stands at 5,895 metres (19,340 feet) above sea level. The team spent five days camping and trekking through rain forest, moorland and high desert before they started the final assault at midnight on day five, climbing for nine hours to reach Kilimanjaro´s summit.

"It was cold, very dark, extremely steep and difficult underfoot and the effects of high altitude meant that each step was a huge effort. When we eventually got to the top we were exhausted, our water had frozen and we had another three hours' descent to look forward to but the feeling was total exhilaration" said Alison.

31 of the 33-strong team successfully reached the summit and Rob added "The camaraderie that formed among us on that climb was unbelievable. When the going got tough or a low point struck the team would be willing one another to go on. It is that experience that will remain with me for a long time".

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of family, friends, colleagues and supporters the pair have raised £14,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support