Padiham Leisure Centre is making waves with its innovative Swim Bike Run project, an initiative designed to introduce the exhilarating world of triathlon to everyone, regardless of their fitness level. Darrel Lamont, Sports & Health Activator at Burnley Leisure & Culture and the driving force behind the project, shares details about what it entails:
“It’s the third Sunday of each month. It starts at 9:30am and it consists of what it says on the tin, really: it’s a 200-metre swim,” Darrel explains. Participants then transition to “a 10k bike ride, which we use the indoor biking facilities here at Padiham Leisure Centre, followed by “a 3-kilometre run or a jog or a walk, whatever you are comfortable doing. And we use the Padiham Greenway.”
This combination of swimming, cycling, and running offers a well-rounded workout, adaptable to individual needs. “So we’re fully equipped to do all three disciplines, and the sessions are really just designed to get people involved. They’re inclusive for all abilities. They’re not for elite athletes or people that are fitness fanatics.”
You don’t need to be a BLC member to join; anyone aged 12 and upwards is allowed to participate, and if you are 16 or over, you can attend on your own. The cost of the session is £5, with that offer extending to families if you want to take part together.
Often, the key to any project’s success is the formation of a strong partnership, and Darrel explains that this is no different with Swim Bike Run, being a British Triathlon-backed provision.
Darrel then delves into the many benefits associated with physical activity, as well as addressing the common difficulty of getting started.
“Like with any physical activity, it’s going to increase your mood, improve your fitness, improve your happiness. It sounds simple, but we all know these days that exercise is good for the mind, it’s good for the body, and it’s good for the soul. The biggest step can be getting involved, like anything. If you’ve ever thought about joining the gym, the hardest step is actually joining up to a membership and getting yourself there. And once you’re involved, you’re doing it, you might find yourself hooked.”
If this is something that excites you, but you are struggling to find the right information to take the first step that Darrel alludes to, then look no further than our social media channels, where you can find many different ways of accessing the information, including through this link on our Facebook page or if you would prefer to get in touch with Darrel directly, you can contact him via email at dlamont@blcgroup.co.uk or 01282 477167
Darrel’s passion for the project shows that it is more than just a fitness program; it’s an opportunity to experience the joy of movement and be a part of a community, so why not dive in and get started?
