It’s been almost a week since the Olympics came to a close and we’re still trying to catch our breath.
If watching awe-inspiring athletes for 16 days has made you reach for your trainers, why not follow in their footsteps with one of these sporting challenges?
Triathlon
The Brownlee brothers of Team GB dominated the podium in the men’s triathlon. Alistair Brownlee won gold and younger brother Jonathan took bronze. The event is perhaps one of the most gruelling of the games, with competitors swimming 1,500 m, cycling 40 km (24.9 miles) and running 10km (6.2 miles).
If watching two Union Jacks raised at the triathlon medal ceremony has motivated you to take on a challenge, there are plenty of triathlons for you to get involved in.
The North West Triathlon on Sunday 2nd September has a few different options in terms of distance, so you don’t need to be at Brownlee level to get involved.
Find out more information on the event website.
Cycling
The velodrome (arena for track cycling) was the place to be for Team GB supporters. With seven gold medals won on the track and Bradley Wiggins taking gold on the road, cycling was dominated by the British athletes. Also, when it comes to magical moments, you’d be hard pushed to find a better one than Chris Hoy winning his sixth gold medal for Great Britain, making him the country’s most successful Olympian.
If you’re still buzzing from Team GB’s gold-medal frenzy in the cycling, there are plenty of challenges around the country for you to get stuck into.
Take a look at some of our favourite cycling events going on around the country.
Relay
Usain Bolt was one of the biggest stars of London 2012. He stormed to gold in the men’s 100m and 200m, but it was the 4x100m relay that really left us speechless. Not only did Usain Bolt and fellow Team Jamaica runners Yohan Blake, Nesta Caret and Michael Frater win gold, they also set a new world record of 36.84 seconds.
If you’re inspired by Bolt and co, why not get some friends together for the Chariots of Fire relay? Its taking place on Sunday 16th September in Cambridge.
Enter a team at the Chariots of Fire website.
Swimming
At London 2012, American swimmer Michael Phelps added six medals (four of which were gold) to his incredible total. Number one on the most-successful Olympians ever list, he’s now so far ahead of anyone else that his tally of 18 gold medals doubles that of Laris Latynina in the number two spot.
If you’ve found yourself heading to your local pool a lot more since watching the greatest Olympian of all time, then why not take on a swimming challenge? The Aspire Channel Swim starts on Monday 10th September. Over 12 weeks, the event involves swimming the distance of the English Channel (22 miles) but in your local pool.
Find out more information and sign-up on the Aspire website.
Rowing
It was rowing that kicked off Team GB’s gold-medal streak. They had huge success in the sport this summer, winning a total of nine medals including Helen Glover and Heather Stanning’s gold in the 2000m women’s pairs.
If watching Team GB soar to the top of the rowing medal table has inspired you to pick up a paddle, Row 4a Reason could be your perfect day out. Row 4a Reason is an annual charity rowing event which takes place in Essex.
Find out more information on the Row 4a Reason website.
Tags: Challenge, Cycling, relay, rowing, running, sporting events, Swimming, Triathlon