Last month, three Loughborough Grammar School boys headed to Leweston to compete in Laser run and Triathle competitions. With a Biathle qualification already in the bag, the school had high hopes of making the Great Britain team for this multisport championship.

Their performances certainly did not disappoint. Strong races saw all the boys gain qualifications in Laser run; a close silver for Oliver and the extended podium in fourth and fifth for Alistair and Ewan.

Oliver also picked up a super silver medal for qualifying in Triathle, so will head over to Maderia for the European Championships later in the year.

Oliver spoke of his experience: “My favourite part about Triathle is the rapid changes between the three sports: shooting, swimming, and running. This means you can’t make any mistakes even though there is so much that could go wrong, such as having a bad shoot or not being able to put your shoes on your feet when going from the swim to the run.”

“I believe the best part of Laser run is the tactics and pacing of it as this affects the whole race. If you run too fast in the first run, then you will struggle with your shooting and if you go too slow then you are losing time.”

Alistair said: “I enjoyed competing in the laser and triathlon qualifiers to get us to get to the European Championships. It was a great experience and I really liked competing with some great athletes.”

Ewan added: “We’ve got the opportunity to go to Madeira, so that’s a really exciting opportunity to compete for Great Britain in the European Championships. Pentathlon is a small sport, so when you go to these competitions, you get to meet loads of people who you’re really good friends with and it’s just a really nice atmosphere.”

And it’s something of a family affair when it comes to the school’s pentathletes. Claire McKittrick, mother of both Alistair and Ewan not only coaches the pentathletes in the early hours before school starts but will also be competing for Team GB in the European Championships!

The UIPM Multisport European Championships will take place in Madeira in July. The Loughborough Grammar School Team Great Britain pentathlete selection is as follows:

U13 – Alistair McK – Biathle and Laser run

U15 – Oliver S – Bialthle, Triathle and Laser run

U17 – Ewan McK – Biathle and Laser run

Well done to the Loughborough Grammar Pentathletes, the school will be cheering you on!