Chance to be Kids of Steel

12:01am Saturday 26th April 2008

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SCHOOLCHILDREN feeling inspired by a teacher's international triathlon success can enter Warrington's inaugural 'Kids of Steel' event taking place in June.

Rob Wilby, school sports co-ordinator at St Gregory's High, has just been selected to represent Great Britain in the over 35s age group at the World Long Distance Triathlon Championships in Holland this summer.

That means stepping up his training to 15 hours per week in order to pit his wits against the world's finest in a 4km sea swim followed by a 120km cycle ride and a 30km run in Almere, near Amsterdam, on August 31.

But the PE teacher, who has experience of competing in Iron Man races in Britain and Australia, is just as excited about the Kids of Steel competition he is helping to organise for schoolchildren.

Kids of Steel, which will take place at Lymm High School on June 27, involves swimming, cycling and running, and Wilby said: "It is open to anyone in years five, six, seven and eight.

"Anyone who would like to enter should tell their PE teacher and ask them to contact me for more details (telephone 574888)."

The Manchester Tri Club member, who will turn 35 shortly before heading out to Holland for the world championships, will be representing the national team for the first time and is keeping his ambitions realistic.

Former Padgate High School teacher Wilby, who lives in Altrincham and is now in his third year of teaching at St Gregorys, said: "I'm certainly hoping not to finish last.

"It's going to be a high standard field and I'll be hoping for a mid-pack finish.

"But we'll see how it goes, anything can happen."

Wilby, who accepted a challenge from a friend to take up the sport six years ago and has trained consistently ever since, will also be aiming to raise money for cancer research while competing in Holland.