Former silver Olympic medallist Heather Fell joined a number of Team GB Age-Group triathletes and other cyclists and runners from Vibe Fitness Bath at the weekend, for a charity mountain challenge.
Founder of Vibe Fitness, Paul Ransome (pictured front with members of his mountain-challenge triathlon team), reached the summit of Everest after 9 hours and 8848m of climbing
Armed with lycra, plenty of sunscreen and collection buckets the intrepid athletes were raising money, and heart rates, for Sporting Family Change’s HOPE Project.
The team swapped snowflakes for sunshine to climb to the top of Everest (8848m) on the bike, and run up Kilimanjaro (5895m) – by doing relay hill reps up Ralph Allen Drive in Bath.
Meanwhile, staff from Sporting Family Change rowed a marathon (42.2km) to complete the triathlon with a twist – helped by members of the families they work with and passers by at the Widcombe midsummer street Party.
Olympic silver medallist turned triathlete, Heather Fell, joins her coach Paul Ransome on a guest hill rep up Ralph Allen Drive
“We knew this challenge wouldn’t be easy,” said Paul Ransome, Bath based triathlon coach and founder of Vibe Fitness.
“Each bike/run rep was 1.13km long and 115m of climbing. But it was the perfect excuse to raise money for a local charity we wholeheartedly support. And for my coached athletes to get some hill training reps in during race season!”
The core team of 10, including Paul’s colleague, Bath based personal trainer Simon Ridley, and three of the Team GB Age-Group triathletes Paul coaches, set off from base camp, just outside Prior Park Garden Centre, at 8am on Sunday morning.
As temperatures soared to nearly 30 degrees, guest reps from friends, passers by and Olympic silver medallist turned triathlete and Global Triathlon Network presenter, Heather Fell, were warmly welcomed.
Triathlon coach Paul Ransome (far right), with (from left) Vibe Fitness colleagues Joey Rossi and Simon Ridley, and Sporting Family Change founder Jimmy Deane, at the end of the challenge
“It was great to be able to support my triathlon coach, Paul Ransome, and Vibe in their impressive charity summit.
“I love a challenge, and the fact it was for a local charity made it a perfect excuse to add a couple of extra hills to my ride,” commented Heather, who had already cycled 80 miles in the Bike Bath sportive earlier that day.
Vibe personal trainer and award winning triathlete, Joey Rossi, had the perfect excuse for turning up late when his wife went into labour with their first child. After welcoming little Bobby Frank into the world, he still managed two reps on his bike and the final summit of Everest, which the whole team cycled together.
“I was hoping we’d reach the top by 6pm,” added Paul. “But we exceeded all my expectations. By working together seamlessly as a team, fuelled by flapjacks and jelly babies, we achieved our goal with time to spare. I’m very proud to call myself their coach!”
The group finished the 51 run reps at 4pm, and the 77 bike reps not long after in just over 9 hours of constant hill climbing.
Will Ward took the award for Sunday’s King of the Mountain with 16 cycle reps, nearly a quarter of the total Everest climb, and the fastest ascent of 4:53. James Willis ran a total of 10 reps during the day, climbing an impressive 1150m – higher than Snowdon.
Jimmy Deane, former Bath Rugby player and founder of Sporting Family Change, praised the group and said they had done an outstanding job.
He commented: “Using sport to change people’s lives is what Sporting Family Change is all about. These triathletes are an inspiration, and we can’t thank them enough for their support.”
