Loft Finds 5: 1989 East Grinstead Junior Triathlon

In 1989 a junior was anybody born in 1972, 1973 or 1974. So 15, 16 or 17 at the end of the year. There weren’t that many stand-alone junior races. Although at 16 we could enter races of approximately sprint distance.

The East Grinstead race had been going a few years and seemed to draw good fields of juniors from the south of England. It was to be my third triathlon. And the last for my Peugeot Elan.

Memory suggested it was a bit of moral-killer. After easily beating local Berkshire juniors in May. And then getting 3rd, in a better junior field at Biggleswade 2 weeks earlier. But reviewing the results I actually did OK. 7th place. 5:30 behind the winner and 3:30 behind James Long. Who would finish 4th at the National Juniors a month later.

I never went back. I think the date eventually clashed with a local event or Ironbridge or something. But of course. This became the race to do if you wanted to get beat by all 3 Herbert Brothers on the same day.