Deal Snowathon  - 23^rd March 2008

By Zena Shean

7.30 am Easter Sunday morning, checked with the race director that the Deal Aquathlon would still be going ahead as the weather looked a little inclement in Essex and was assured that it “was sunny in Kent!”

So the Shean’s left cold, starting to snow, Essex for the sunnier climes of Kent. Travelled through the swirling snow scurries all the way down the M2 and the race director was correct - it was definitely brighter near those famous white cliffs.

Met up with the other slightly deranged EETC families, Brown’s, Muggletons and Knights. The Buttles, Tippetts and Porters were also there, but (perhaps wisely) just the younger family members were prepared to race the elements!

After race briefing the seniors were off first and just as they entered the pool shouts of “snow’s started” were heard. Still no time to worry about that now as Janice, Dawn and I were in the first heat. Dawn and I left the pool together and donned some extra gear before starting on the five mile run, as we left the building it was noticed that everything was looking distinctly white. The senior men followed us and on our way back on the run we passed Keith, (running very smoothly), The Daddy (with t-shirt on!!!!) and Dave Knight -  it was a bit hard to pick many others out due to the white wet stuff that kept landing on our eyelashes, noses etc, etc.

Arrived back at HQ expecting the younger races to have been cancelled but no, there were our brave youths, Taz, Matt and Will challenging the elements.

They were followed by the novices including Denise Knight who “quite enjoyed that! (Think she will fit into EETC quite nicely!!)

The younger members of the club then set up transition and were told they could only race if they had long sleeve tops- (un)fortunately they all did!

The 11/12 age group saw some great competition with Abby, Jaide, Emily and George all taking part in the same heat, followed up in the 9/10 age group by Hannah and Kiera. These Kids were fantastic in the, by now, blizzard conditions. The mums and dads were also pretty great with survival techniques once they had finished!

No trophies but an Easter Egg Roll of Honour  -

First Male Youth – Matt Brown

First Female Novice – Denise Knight

First Female 9/10 – Hannah Shean

First Old Lady – Zena Shean

PS – Did I mention the snow!!!