Miles Benjamin, Kai Horstmann, and Pat Sanderson from Worcester Warriors, in association with Gatorade – performance partner of Premier Rugby – are being put through their paces during their pre season training as they prepare to compete in the Sprint Team Relay at the Mazda Blenheim Triathlon on June 7.
Wing speedster Miles Benjamin, 20, will be first up for the team in the swim leg, where he will be covering 750m in the open water before getting into the transition area for the ‘change-over’.
Benjamin represented Warwickshire at Water Polo and should therefore be a force to reckon with in the water, setting his team up for a strong start.
Powerful back row forward Kai Horstmann, 27, will then cycle 20k through the scenic surroundings of Blenheim Palace and will rendezvous in the final transition with Warriors’ captain Pat Sanderson, 31, who will finish off the relay with a fast paced 5k run.
The players will be joining over 5,500 participants at this year’s Mazda Blenheim Triathlon in its fourth year of running and will be looking to their pre-season training to help them through the experience.
Stuart Pickering, Strength and Conditioning coach at Worcester Warriors, said: “We felt it would be an exciting challenge for us to take on and compete at the Mazda Blenheim Triathlon. We have heard about how much of a great event it is.
“It’s a slightly unorthodox way for us to prepare for pre-season training but it will be a real test and keep us in top condition throughout the summer months. We use Gatorade day in day out at the club so it’s great that it will also be on the sidelines of the triathlon course.”
Sanderson added: “As a team we are always taking on big challenges in the Guinness Premiership and so we’re really looking forward to switching our attention for a day to the Mazda Blenheim Triathlon, which is a superb event and a memorable challenge for all who take part.
“It’s also a great day out for spectators with thousands of friends and family cheering on all the competitors as they swim, cycle and run to the finish line and we hope the Warriors fans will get right behind us as we look to do our best.”
Nick Rusling, Managing Director of event organiser IMG Mass Participation Sports, said: “It’s fantastic that Worcester Warriors are turning their talents to a relatively new sport demonstrating the increase in popularity triathlon is currently experiencing. We hope that they enjoy their first triathlon and we are all looking forward to cheering them on.”
Fuelling the players efforts along the way are Premiership Rugby’s performance partner, Gatorade, who will be making sure that the Warriors’ and the thousands of participants are hydrated before during and after the race.
Gatorade have also produced a series of Triathlon tutorials for participants taking part in triathlons that the guys have been watching to help them prepare, they cover the basics of;
• Equipment for triathlon
• Open water swimming
• Transitions
• Cycling for triathlon
• Running for triathlon
• Race day top tips
The videos can be viewed at www.youtube.com/gatoradeuk
Triathlon is the fastest growing mass participation sport in the world due to its accessibility, scope to train both indoors and out, as well as offering variety to its competitors with each stage of the event.
To find out more or to register, visit www.theblenheimtriathlon.com where charity places are still available.