A teenager from Horsforth came third in his U17 age category at World Triathlon Leeds in his first triathlon competition.
Ben Hill, 14, a pupil at Bradford Grammar School (BGS), is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former students and Olympic triathletes, Jonny and Alistair Brownlee, after taking part in the competition at picturesque Roundhay Park, where he also came fourth in the U19 category.
It is the fifth time World Triathlon Leeds has taken place and this year saw thousands of athletes competing, from amateurs to elites. Ben had to swim 200m in Waterloo Lake, bike 9.5km and then run 2.5k.
Said Ben: “I enjoy all three sports and the competition was really good. There’s a mass start in the water normally but because of COVID we went in two at a time, a couple of seconds apart. It was very busy at the bike to run transition, but I was happy with my overall result considering it was my first race.”
Ben currently runs 30-40k per week, spending 4.5 hours in the pool weekly, bikes 10 hours per week and uses BGS’s strength and conditioning gym.
“I’d like to compete in more triathlons. I enjoy training. The pool is amazing at BGS and the sessions with Mr Robinson are great, as well as running with Mr McCartney.”
Ben is in the Yorkshire Talent Squad which supports young athletes who have ambitions to join the Yorkshire Triathlon Academy, part of the triathlon talent pathway in Great Britain.
Craig Robinson, BGS’s specialist sports coach swimming, said: “It’s a testament to Ben’s potential, determination, organisation, and consistency, that he has achieved such a remarkable feat in his first attempt at the discipline. Ben has taken full advantage of the opportunities on offer in his first year at BGS. He is a valued role model to BGS students who aspire to achieve their vision.”
“The pool is amazing at BGS and the sessions with Mr Robinson are great, as well as running with Mr McCartney.”
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