Robshaw makes triathlon debut at London T100
Chris Robshaw swapped his rugby boots for his swimming cap, bike and running shoes as he completed his first ever triathlon at the London T100 Triathlon this weekend.
The former England rugby captain raced alongside his BBC Strictly Come Dancing co-star and professional dancer Julian Caillon at the ExCeL arena in a bid to raise money for the Kerslake-Robshaw Foundation.
The charity funds projects across the UK that help young people facing barriers build confidence, improve wellbeing, find belonging and unlock their potential.
Robshaw and Caillon both took part in the Olympic distance triathlon, which included a 1.5km swim in Royal Victoria Dock, a 40km bike ride around the Docklands and then a 10km run around London’s ExCeL Centre.
The 40-year-old was aiming to break the four-hour mark and subsequently smashed his expectations as he came home in a time of 3:14:59.
“I was excited when I got here,” said Robshaw, who made 66 appearances for his county and finished 13th in last year’s series of Strictly. “But then I got in the water, and honestly, on my first lap, it’s like I forgot how to swim.”
“I couldn’t breathe, and it was so hard. That first lap was so hard. I thought I might not get back in. Then I got back in and the second lap was all right, and the bike and the run were actually the quickest I’ve done. To finish with 3:14:59, I’m really pleased with that, considering I wanted to do sub-four hours.”
“It’s been a great experience. The crowd’s been amazing. I’m still in one piece, which is important… and loved it.”
Australian Caillon, who has done multiple triathlons previously, finished in 2:38:38, while his fiancée Sofia Ochoa, also racing for the Kerslake-Robshaw team, finished in 2:39:01.
“This was actually my first Olympic distance triathlon. I’ve done a couple of other distances, but this was my first Olympic and my first T100 Triathlon event, and I was really, really excited for it,” said Caillon.
“Today was really good. I had a lot of fun. I went the wrong way on the swim [laughs] which happens to me every time. But, no, it was an awesome vibe. The weather was great. It was a lot of fun. I was a bit crampy on the run, but apart from that, yeah, awesome finish. Here in the ExCeL as well, finishing off and everyone cheering for you. Yeah, it was a really, really fun day.”
“The Kerslake-Robshaw Foundation is obviously Chris and Camilla’s foundation, and they use sport and music to help young people and so we’re trying to raise money, raise awareness as well. It’s a great cause. They do a lot of great work with the community. “I think triathlon can help everyone in so many different ways. I think the beauty of it is you’ve got three disciplines. So you’ve just got to hope that you’re somewhat good at one of them! But, to be honest, I think the community aspect is what’s drawn me into it.”
Robshaw and Caillon were the amateur ‘starter’ before the world’s best short distance triathletes competed in the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) London.
Australian Matthew Hauser won the elite men’s race while Frenchwoman Cassandre Beaugrand took the spoils in the women’s event.
British stars Alex Yee, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Beth Potter all took part too, with Yee coming home in 14th while Taylor-Brown and Potter finished sixth and fourth respectively.
In total, 5,300 amateur triathletes will take part across the weekend, from experienced triathletes tackling the T100 distance on Sunday to first-time swim, bike and run participants taking on the shorter Super Sprint, Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons as well as Team Relays.
British stars, including Alex Yee, Beth Potter, Georgia Taylor-Brown, and Sophie Evans, competed at the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) London, with Olympic qualifying points on the line.
For more information visit Triathlonlive.tv and TNT Sports in the UK.
