Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw has successfully completed his inaugural triathlon, participating in the London T100 Triathlon held at the ExCeL arena this past weekend. Robshaw, alongside professional dancer and BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Julian Caillon, competed to raise funds for the Kerslake-Robshaw Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting young people facing challenges.
Robshaw’s Triathlon Debut
The event marked a significant personal milestone for Robshaw, who swapped his rugby attire for the gear required for a multi-discipline endurance event. He and Caillon tackled the Olympic distance, which involves a 1.5km swim in Royal Victoria Dock, a 40km cycle through the Docklands, and a 10km run around the ExCeL Centre. Robshaw, who previously appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and has earned 66 caps for England, expressed initial apprehension about the swim portion.
“I was excited when I got here,” Robshaw recounted. “But then I got in the water, and honestly, on my first lap, it’s like I forgot how to swim. I couldn’t breathe, and it was so hard. That first lap was so hard. I thought I might not get back in.”
Despite the challenging start, Robshaw persevered. “Then I got back in and the second lap was all right, and the bike and the run were actually the quickest I’ve done,” he added. His goal was to finish in under four hours, a target he not only met but significantly surpassed, crossing the finish line in an impressive 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 59 seconds. “To finish with 3:14:59, I’m really pleased with that, considering I wanted to do sub-four hours. It’s been a great experience. The crowd’s been amazing. I’m still in one piece, which is important… and loved it.”
Julian Caillon and Sofia Ochoa’s Performances
Julian Caillon, an Australian dancer and Robshaw’s co-star on Strictly, brought prior triathlon experience to the event. Caillon, who has completed several triathlons of varying distances, finished with a time of 2 hours, 38 minutes, and 38 seconds. His fiancée, Sofia Ochoa, also competing for the Kerslake-Robshaw team, finished shortly after at 2 hours, 39 minutes, and 1 second.
Caillon shared his perspective on the race: “This was actually my first Olympic distance triathlon. I’ve done a couple of other distances, but this was my first Olympic and my first T100 Triathlon event, and I was really, really excited for it. Today was really good. I had a lot of fun.” He humorously admitted to getting lost during the swim, a recurring issue for him, but praised the overall atmosphere. “No, it was an awesome vibe. The weather was great. It was a lot of fun. I was a bit crampy on the run, but apart from that, yeah, awesome finish. Here in the ExCeL as well, finishing off and everyone cheering for you. Yeah, it was a really, really fun day.”
The Kerslake-Robshaw Foundation
The Kerslake-Robshaw Foundation, co-founded by Chris Robshaw and his wife Camilla Kerslake, aims to empower young individuals by funding projects that foster confidence, enhance well-being, promote a sense of belonging, and help unlock potential. The foundation utilizes sport and music as key mediums for achieving these goals.
Caillon highlighted the foundation’s mission: “The Kerslake-Robshaw Foundation is obviously Chris and Camilla’s foundation, and they use sport and music to help young people and so we’re trying to raise money, raise awareness as well. It’s a great cause. They do a lot of great work with the community.” He also spoke about the personal appeal of triathlon, noting its inclusive nature. “I think triathlon can help everyone in so many different ways. I think the beauty of it is you’ve got three disciplines. So you’ve just got to hope that you’re somewhat good at one of them! But, to be honest, I think the community aspect is what’s drawn me into it.”
Elite Competition and Wider Event Participation
Robshaw and Caillon’s participation served as a curtain-raiser for the elite level of the event, which featured the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) London. This prestigious race saw top international athletes competing for crucial Olympic qualifying points.
In the elite men’s race, Australia’s Matthew Hauser secured victory, while France’s Cassandre Beaugrand claimed the win in the women’s event. Prominent British triathletes, including Alex Yee, Georgia Taylor-Brown, and Beth Potter, also competed. Yee finished 14th in the men’s race, while Taylor-Brown and Potter achieved sixth and fourth place, respectively, in the women’s competition.
The London T100 Triathlon weekend welcomed a substantial number of amateur participants, with approximately 5,300 individuals taking part across various distances. These ranged from the challenging T100 distance for seasoned athletes to shorter formats like the Super Sprint, Sprint, and Olympic distances, as well as Team Relays, catering to a wide spectrum of abilities and experience levels.
Conclusion
Chris Robshaw’s successful completion of his first triathlon, alongside Julian Caillon, not only represented a personal achievement but also served as a significant fundraising effort for the Kerslake-Robshaw Foundation. The event highlighted the unifying power of sport, from amateur participation to elite competition, all contributing to a greater cause.
