Reach the Beach Part II

Two years ago several members of the Borders Triathletes took part in a Charity triathlon challenge called "Reach the Beach"
This started at Peebles Swimming Pool and after swimming 30 lengths there and at Galashiels, Kelso and Berwick Swimming pools 
as well as bike and run the miles between each pool, finally finished at Spittal Beach Tweedmouth.

The club held another charity challenge on June 17th after Charlie Roberts had dreamt up another challenging 
Sunday in a few different locations with a slightly varied route.

The proposed schedule was as follows:

Start at 7:30 am at Peebles Swimming Pool and swim 30 lengths, 
depart 8:00am and cycle 19 miles to Galashiels Pool arrive 9:15am, swim 30 lengths,
depart 9:45am and cycle 7 miles to Selkirk Pool, arrive 10:30am, swim 30 lengths, 
depart 11:00am and cycle 12 miles to Hawick Pool, arrive 12:15pm, swim 30 lengths, 
depart 12:45pm and cycle 22 miles to Kelso Pool, arrive 14:45pm, swim 30 lengths, 
depart 15:15pm and cycle 27 miles to Eyemouth Pool arrive 17:00pm and  Swim 30 lengths

Ending the day with a run to the beach, a swim in the North Sea, a shower and a well deserved meal.
Total distance swam 4,500 meters (approx 2.8 miles)
Total mileage covered by bike 87 miles.

Here is a short report by Katrona Methven on how the day went:

On Sunday 17 June, Borders Triathletes once more took up the challenge to 'Reach the Beach". This time it was to raise money for 
Chernobyl Children Lifeline Borders Link to help bring the children of Belarus, affected by the Chernobyl radioactive fallout, on holiday 
to the Borders.
The challenge had changed from the previous 'Reach the Beach', entailing biking from Peebles to Eyemouth via all the Borders Sport 
and Leisure Trust pools and swimming 750m at each pool on route.

19 foolhardy athletes started the swim at Peebles at 7·30 am, biked to Galashiels with the weather conditions grey but warm. After 
the swim at Gala they biked to Selkirk for the next swim and then onto Hawick. The next leg to Kelso saw a change in the weather 
with the sun now shining on them so the swim at Kelso allowed them to cool down before the final and longest leg to Eyemouth.
10hours from the start 120 km on the bike, 4500m swim, 19 weary but triumphant triathletes reached the beach taking the final 
plunge into the North Sea - for some this was the hardest part.

The athletes were well supported on route by friends and family and were constantly being refuelled thanks to Rutherfords of Earlston 
who donated energy drinks and water and fresh and dried fruit donated by NHS Borders Healthy Living Network.
39 sat down to dinner in Eyemouth after a long but successful day. A celebratory cake had been baked for the athletes . The money 
raised has yet to be counted but it is still coming in and should be in excess of £2000.

The 19 athletes were Neil & Toby Vint, Adam & Brian Nichol, Rory & Katrona Methven, Callum & Jackie Law, Wayne Goodfellow, 
Suzanne Mercer, Janelle Robertson, Ronnie Notman, Barry Cranston,  Graeme Easson, Charlie Roberts, Keith Nairn,Alisdair Clipston,
Ian McKenzie and David Hunter. Well done everyone.

A big thanks should also be given to the managers and staff of the 6 BSLT pools for their cooperation in giving the trathletes pool time.