The Raw Energy Pursuits River Arun 3.8k Ironman distance swim, Saturday the 6th of June 2009.
The image gallery can be found here:
The REP event results and race report is here:
http://rawenergypursuits.co.uk/HTML%20Pages/eventsPages/Ironman%20Swim%20-%20Arun/IronmanArun.htm
The swim start on Youtube:
After a weather forecast that had predicted showers, rain, drizzle, cold and generall dullness it was a "famous five" element of excited adventure in the air as the rain held back and the busses shipped everyone up to the start line with witty banter hanging in the air.
Everyone disembarked across the road with the marshalls holding back the traffic, and walked through the camp site to the river entry point.
Standing in the holding area the race tactics were discussed (get in, swim, stay alive. seemed to be the popular one), team photos were taken, last rights were given, wills signed and the photos for the local news taken - "just in case" you understand.
After a few delays - mainly because the tide decided to turn later than scheduled everything started off at about 12:20. As the time ticked on the atmosphere between the self condemned turned more serious and sombre and tensions although well controlled got a teeny bit tighter...
Reassurance with the race organisers and support team was taken and the smiles were maintained to some degree...
Then began the queue to enter the water. The "Falklands war - counting them all out" for safety tracking of people going in and the level of concentration lifted to another gear.
The advice was that whilst the tide was still coming in, keep to the right on the tight part of the bend - and everyone took to the start line with this in mind...
The early leader was the eventual winner - as they flew off down the river - have a look at the youtube clip : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU0kDobQri4
Quite a lot of supporters chose to walk the route back with the swimmers
3.8km later by the RNLI slipway the swim exit beckoned - and expectant supporters and families gathered as the intrepid came round the corner from the bridge, avoided the dragon boats and were generally enjoying themselves in the sun.
Others clearly had enjoyed the challenge
Everyone was counted out safely - some a little weary from their exploits, others smiling far too much.
You can read the full race report on the REP website and Tri 24-7
Finally the whole event managed to raise money for the RNLI at Littlehampton which provided the base for the race !
Well done everyone !
The image gallery can be found here for you to find individual race pictures:
The REP event results and race report is here:
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