Jack geared up for surprise triathlon

By [mjenkin]

AN UNEXPECTED phone call has led to a Holsworthy athlete entering a world-class sports event this weekend.

Sean Jack has won a place in the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship meeting at Hyde Park in London.

Two months ago, Jack, who runs HPT Sport and Leisure in Holsworthy, entered a competition to win a place in the event through a sports magazine. But he forgot all about it until the phone rang at his shop last week.

"It's all a bit of a shock," said Jack, 50. "I had a phone call to say I have got an entry.

"It was a German guy and, to be honest, I didn't believe a word he was saying.

"He didn't really understand the way my sense of humour works, which didn't help the situation."

Following the initial breakdown in communication, Jack learned he will be part of a Dextro Energy team, including 40 amateur athletes from across Europe.

The prize includes a stay in five-star accommodation at the Mayfair Hotel, a meal on Sunday evening and a DVD of the race.

On Sunday, he will line up in the amateur section of the race, facing a 750m swim in the Serpentine, 20km cycle and 5k run.

The ITU Series also tests some of the world's best professional triathletes at World Championship, Olympic and sprint distances.

With his entry coming out of the blue, Jack, who trains with Bude RATS, hopes to have recovered from injury in time.

"I run two or three times a week, depending on injuries," he said.

"I'm 50 so I'm not the youngest of blokes and I've had a torn calf muscle for a while."

His preparation was boosted on Sunday when he completed a leg of the Bude RATS' tour of Cornwall.

After successfully running sections of coastline from Tintagel to Bude, his calf injury appears to be on the mend.

Having taken part in the London Marathon five times, running is the discipline Jack finds easiest.

"I'm not really a triathlon person," he added. "I do one triathlon a year — the Bude Shoreline Triathlon."

Jack completed the Shoreline event in 1-22-29 although the race featured a shorter swim of 500m — albeit in the sea at Bude.

His wife and son are travelling up to London to cheer him on.

"Hopefully it will be a good experience and I won't make a fool of myself," he said.