Congratulations to Juliet Vickery and Russell Arnold

Two Reach residents have taken on the world in athletics! Earlier this summer, Juliet Vickery competed in the World championships in Edmonton, Canada coming in a storming tenth fastest in the World. A total of 1600 competitors from 64 different countries came to Edmonton to compete in the Olympic distance triathlon race, which comprises of a 1.5 km wet suit swim in a lake, a 40 km bike ride and a 10 km run…no mean feat!

Juliet was one of 10 women selected in the 35-40 age group to represent Great Britain. It was only the fourth time Juliet had raced this Olympic distance as most races in Britain are a shorter distance.

Getting to the World Championships has long been an ambition for Juliet who qualified in 1998 originally but was unable to compete due to an injury. She then took some time out to start a family but was determined to qualify for the championships this year. Despite a very busy, challenging full time job and having a lively toddler, Freya, Juliet managed to train throughout the winter, running in cold industrial estates in Thetford, doing long weekend runs across the Fens and early morning ploughing up and down swimming pools as well as training with her club the Cambridge Triathletes.

Juliet is aware that none of her achievements would have been possible without the support and help of her husband David, and many friends in the village who have helped with baby sitting, bike fixing and general encouragement.

On July 21^st Juliet crossed the finishing line, waving her union Jack, having come tenth in the world and second in the British team. She is now guaranteed a place in the World Championships next year…so watch out for Juliet as she sprints across the village green or pounds past you on her bike!!

Russell Arnold, also qualified for the World Duathlon championships this September in Rimini. This entails a race of a 10 km run followed by a 40 km bike ride and then a further 6 km run. Russell a grandfather of three, is deputy head porter at Pembroke College and cycles to work and back every day as part of his training, having already been out for an early morning run!!! Some of you may have seen Russell sprinting past you if you go for a walk on the Fens. Russell is an inspiration of how to make hard exercise look easy!

Both Juliet and Russell have worked really hard to gain these places at the World Championships and they fully deserve our congratulations for all they have achieved..

Well done and keep up the good work…I’m hoping some of their enthusiasm and sporting prowess will eventually rub off on me. For the moment I’m content with a potter across the village green!

Olivia Coles

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