Benjamin Pritchard
Benjamin has a long history as a runner, but due to injuries was tempted into the sport of Triathlon in 2012 and has never looked back.
Benjamin has always been a talented runner and cyclist and is now excelling in the Triathlon. His times were quickly competitive, finding strength in swimming, as well as the other two events. Having two degrees from Bangor University and the University of Southampton, Benjamin previously received Blues for international representation and full colours for cycling.
It wasn’t a surprise when Benjamin qualified to represent the Age Group at the European Championships in the second year of his sport. Now living in London and working as an insurance broker, Benjamin is also now training and competing for Cycle Club London and TriPackRT.
A list of Benjamin’s 2016 results are below:
1) High Wycombe CC 10 mile Time Trial (H25/10) 43/119.
2) Catford CC 10 mile Time Trial (Q10/19) 43/119.
3) Lee Valley Summer Series, Crit Race 1: 15 / 90
4) Antelope 3 up Time Trial. 5/50.
5) English Championships: 9th in Age Group.
The race season is now fully underway with the first triathlon taking place at the start of the month.
Benjamin was kind enough to go into some more detail on how his season is going; “The first two races are my first attempt at the individual aspect of Time Trialing (cycling). I was happy with how the races went but look to improve on this in the coming season with an aim of getting a 21 minute time for the ten miles.”
“The Lee Valley Summer Series is a weekly criterium series which I am using to gain better group riding skills ready for when all my triathlon races become draft legal and am happy with how my positioning and confidence is progressing in this aspect of cycling.”
“The Antelope 3 up Time Trial was a shock performance with my team being beaten only by teams which have already secured a place in the Team Time Trial National Championships. This is a success we can take to the books in my opinion.”
“Overall I was significantly disappointed with my race at the weekend in the English Championships (standard distance), my race started well but then just turned significantly worse with me suffering from crippling stomach cramps on the run meaning I could only run a 50 minute 10km time (this is over 12 mins slower than I was expecting). Although disappointed with the result it is a good starting point for the season and am looking forward to the next triathlon in June.”
As well as gaining support from GLL, Benjamin is also supported by local brands TrueStart Coffee, Zone3 Wetsuits, Bike and Run, WattShop
Here at the GLL Sport Foundation we are very happy to be supporting athletes such as Benjamin. Using our training facilities is important for athletes, especially in a sport as diverse as triathlon and we’re glad that Benjamin makes the most of our centers.
A final quote from Benjamin, “The ability to use the GLL facilities nationwide enables me to train wherever and whenever I need. As an athlete you are constantly travelling the UK for competitions, so knowing there is a facility which is well run with friendly staff takes that extra stress away around race weekend. My local facility the Finchley Lido have been very accommodating to my needs and I look forward to repaying their dedication to my training with results in the 2016 season. Thank you GLL!”