Trying times for sporty workers

GAVIN Chapman leads the winning We Can Do It! team in the pool

FOUR teams from local businesses and organisations went head-to-head in the first Oldham Enterprise TRY-athlon.

Each had to complete a 5km run, 20km cycle and 1.2km swim on gym equipment and in the pool between a maximum of four people.

Yesterday’s event at Chadderton Wellbeing Centre was organised by Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale.

It aimed to boost workplace morale and improve fitness and mental health.

The fastest time of 1 hour, 15 minutes, 32 seconds was posted by the four members of the We Can Do It! team from Royton company James Briggs.

They were raising money for Christie’s and also clocked up the fastest swim in 19 minutes, 24 seconds.

Member Paul Cresswell (31) said: “We all want to do it again,definitely. We are looking for the next challenge now and there’s a 100km bike ride for Christie’s we are hoping to do.”

The three-strong “5ft 8ins and Stuart” team from the same company came fourth, completing the disciplines in 1 hour, 23 minutes, 20 seconds.

Both groups raised around £600 between them and Paul Speed (43) from the latter said: “It was a good laugh. We all enjoyed it — but it’s tiring!”

Team:OBN’s four members from Oldham Business Network did the fastest run with a split of 20 minutes, 56 seconds. Their overall time of 1 hour, 19 minutes,17 seconds secured second.

And the fastest bike ride of 27 minutes, 40 seconds was achieved by the Oldham Chronicle’s three-strong Chronicle Ladies. The only all-woman group were third in 1 hour, 20 minutes, 22 seconds.

Organiser Kate Harcus, environmental business manager at Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, said: “We were testing the water to see how went and we hope to hold more.

“It is trying to boost morale, give people something to work towards and also increase their physical activity.”