Organisers of a popular “triathlon with a twist” event in west Suffolk have hailed the endurance of participants and volunteers in the face of difficult weather conditions.
The Big BRO race, which combines a 24km bike ride with a 4km run and 25 obstacles, took place on Sunday, September 23, at The Playground in Barrow, near Bury St Edmunds.
Laura Hudson, event organiser, said rain throughout the event did not dampen the spirits of competitors.
“It was really wet,” she said. “We were slightly worried leading up to the day that we might have to cancel because of the wind, but on the day we didn’t really get the wind, we just got rain.
“But everyone just got on with it and there were plenty of smiles and ‘I’m crazy for doing this’ kind of looks.
“It was a really nice atmosphere.”
More than 70 people took part in the third annual event, which this year saw 100% of the entry fee go to the GeeWizz Charity after a deal was agreed with Bury St Edmunds brewer Greene King to be main sponsors.
The event saw around £3,000 raised for the charity with money still being calculated.
GeeWizz focuses on providing specialist equipment to children and young adults up to the age of 21, living in Suffolk and Norfolk, and with life-threatening conditions, a disability or cancer.
Mrs Hudson also paid tribute to more than 40 volunteers who stood out on the course as marshalls in the wet weather.
“I’d really like to say thank you to the volunteers,” she said. “Some of which were students from West Suffolk College’s public services course.
“The participants were obviously being active but the poor marshalls stood out there in the rain for a good few hours. So thank you to them.”
Mrs Hudson added that people are already asking about next year’s event.
“All the feedback we’ve had has been really good,” she said. “There’s no date in the diary yet although people have been asking.
“A group of people have done it every year since we started so they are keen to know.”
For more information on GeeWizz, visit www.geewizzcharity.comVisit www.theplaygrounduk.com for more information on The Playground in Barrow
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