What a fantastic experience. 🤩🤩
7th in 2025 European Sprint & Standard Distance Triathlon Championships Istanbul.
Have to be honest and was gutted I didn’t get on the podium but I’m still 16 and racing everyone under 20.
It was a REALLY tough course. Swim was in the Bosporus with jelly fish and huge freight tankers going past and strong currents.
Huge long steep hill climb up the bridge that connects the Asian and European sides of Istanbul. (3k and very steep climb). I was in a group but lead it and everyone else point blank refused to take any turn to lead-despite me shouting a lot! No choice but to do all the work up the hill. Once at the top they sped off as they had fresh legs. I managed to catch them back up and get back in the group.
The cycle ended up being 26k rather than 20 as the race officials messed up with the course. Steep hill back down to transition.
Legs were goosed (understatement)- by the time of the run. 2 laps. I’ve never felt my legs that dead before!
The run was extremely hard. No flat bits and no feeling in my legs at all. Just putting one foot in front of the other.
Stupidly missed the finish as was lapping others and no others going into the finish. Mum caught me going round for a third lap! Realised once mum was screaming at me!! Lost my 6th place that I’d held throughout and ended up 7th. 😡
So a bit gutted but in hindsight sight after putting things into perspective – overall I was the youngest there and came 7th in Europe.
The experience was amazing. To be part of a team was amazing. Having others from Craven Energy Triathlon and Multisport Club there was amazing. Just AMAZING!!! 🚀🤣
Time to re set and think about the world champs In Oz.
Thank you to everyone who has supported. I wouldn’t have been able to go without you and my sponsors The Hare and Hounds Inn, PremBiz Ltd – Print & Embroidery, Dean Majors, and Sandrini Bike Workshop . Big thanks too, to the Jack Bloor Fund, who awarded me a grant.
I don’t know what I would have done without Alberto Sandrini this last year. Even down the to day before I was due to fly out- my gears went and Alberto came to the rescue. You are awsome- thank you.
And lastly to Craven Energy Tri Club and Mark Taylor and Tracey Hodgson my long suffering coaches! And to Cos-( Jack Dillon). I wouldn’t be doing triathlon without you.
You’ve helped me be something..
Jack Bloor Race & Fund 