"My husband and I have taken part in this sprint triathlon for the past 6 years. We have a combined age of 146 and treat it as our fitness focus for the year.
"What stands out most is how inclusive it has always been - no one feels unable to participate, and no one feels as though they shouldn't be there, even those 70+ or hearing and visually impaired. From registration to final announcement, everyone at the Mid Sussex Triathlon Club is upbeat, welcoming and incredibly well organised. There is never a moment when you are unsure of what's happening. Every single marshal is encouraging, enthusiastic and keen for everyone not only to succeed but also to enjoy themselves.
"It's a stand-out event for all levels of athletes. Novices are particularly welcomed. I can't recommend this event enough - it would be a worthy recipient of a reward."
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"A big thank you for a great experience for my first ever triathlon. I was very nervous anticipating what it would be like and how I was going to work it all out but I need not have worried. It was so well organised and all the marshals were so helpful friendly and supportive. It made the event such a great experience and I enjoyed it so much.
"Will definitely be signing up for more and will return to your event next year for sure."
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"Thank you so much to all the fantastic individuals who made the event happen. I am so proud of having participated and hope to do more - it was daunting, but the friendliness and support of all the marshals and supervisors really helped and made it a fantastic day."
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"Thank you so much for running such a fabulously welcoming triathlon and also for the familiarisation day. It’s been a dream come true for me to enter and complete a triathlon."
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"I just wanted to say a really big thank you for your support. I was SO nervous! You and the team did such a great job and made me (and other first timers!) feel so at ease. I felt like the biggest imposter, but honestly you guys made it so welcoming and inclusive. I actually really enjoyed it and would love to do it again! Never thought I'd say that!
"Please do extend my thanks to all the lovely marshals, there were several people round the pool who truly put me at ease when I felt like bottling out completely!"
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"The team of people you had volunteering were fantastic! There was so much encouragement around all parts of the course. I love that our names were on our bibs so it felt really personal too. The encouragement also came from others on the course. There were a lot of speedy people that went by me on the bike, but also a lot of warmth and support from them.
"Thank you for all of your hard work. It was really appreciated, you must be a fantastic club."
"Thanks to everyone at the club for a brilliantly organised event. It was my first triathlon, I was excited and slightly nervous but the event was so well run and had such a good atmosphere it really put me at ease.
"I loved the variety of multi disciplined training rather than just cycling multiple times a week, which is historically what I've done. I think this is going to be a sport I'll enjoy and am already looking at what to do next!"
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"A really huge thank you for a most fabulous Try-a-Tri - what a well-organised and friendly event you run! I really enjoyed it and had a great result!
"Please pass on my thanks to all your helpers - Zoe was so lovely on the familiarisation day and when I registered yesterday, Klara put me at ease and was so friendly and enthusiastic. I don’t know other marshals' names but they were all lovely and so kind to give up their Sunday to help."
"Thank you for all the work you and the team did to make the 2022 event such a huge success for all who took part. The atmosphere this year was particularly great, and every single marshal on and off the course had a smile and words of encouragement. It is truly inclusive: my husband and I have a joint age of 142 years, and taking part in the Mid Sussex Triathlon is the fitness highlight of our year. See you all next year!"
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"Thanks to all the fabulous volunteers for their hard work. It's a cracking event!"
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"Great day - first tri and loved it. Amazing organisation, encouraging marshalls. Thank you. See you next year!"
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"The event was amazing! It was my first time doing a triathlon and I was absolutely terrified, but every marshal and competitor was so lovely and helpful. I had a great time and really appreciated all the support from the marshals and that it was such an inclusive event. I didn't for a second feel like I didn't belong despite not having a clue what I was doing! The well posted bike route was also incredible - I had nightmares of getting lost but it was practically impossible (even for the navigationally challenged people like myself!) Thanks again to you all, I know how much work must have gone into it."
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"Thank you to you all for such a brilliant event! Definitely the friendliest and most encouraging for a first-time participant. I will without a doubt will be entering next year!"
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"What a day! First tri. Not my last! Loved it. Such a great atmosphere, organisation and support. Fabulous!"
"This is our third Mid Sussex Triathlon and it did not disappoint. It had the same friendly, inclusive atmosphere as in previous years and the organisation and communication were exemplary. What makes this such a fantastic event is the fact that no matter your age or ability, you feel welcomed and encouraged from beginning to end. The marshals without exception, on and off the course were upbeat and keen for you to do your best. We are already planning to take part next year. Thanks to everyone."
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"Very may thanks for all the work that you and the team put in for a great event last Sunday. Despite the Covid restrictions it was all very safe and professional and your efforts are very much appreciated. I don’t know how you managed to arrange the great weather as well."
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"Thank you very much for putting on the race again this year. You managed to put on a smooth and efficiently run race with the relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere that it has always had. It is a credit to you and your team."
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"Thanks so much to the whole of MST for yet another wonderful race! The social distancing obviously required an additional level of planning, but as ever, it was executed with great efficiency: super well organised – well done! The marshals were yet again very friendly and helpful and you even organised the weather this year."
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"I would just like to thank you and your team for an amazing event yesterday. It was my first triathlon and I used it to raise money for charity, so there was quite a lot at stake. However, my nerves were elevated by your very helpful and friendly volunteers, all happy and incredibly cheerful. It must have been very challenging organising the event in such difficult times but you all did a sterling job and I can’t thank you enough."
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"I just wanted to thank you and your incredible club for putting on such a great event. Your detailed planning paid off and I think that we felt safe throughout."
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"Thanks for putting on a wonderful event. I loved everything about the race 👌👍"
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"I just wanted to say thanks for an excellent race. I am not a triathlete and only take part for general fitness but this is my third or fourth event over the past 10 years at your club. Your marshals were excellent and very encouraging. Everything was well organised and felt like it ran super smoothly. A job well done and I am looking forward to next year."
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"I really enjoyed the event despite the nerves and consequential lack of sleep! What a lovely team you work with – absolutely each and every person was fantastic! As it was my first tri, I learned so much and even came in first in my age category!"
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"Just a brief note to thank you for the splendid event. We both thoroughly enjoyed the aquabike although our swim times were not up to our expectations – perhaps optimism took over when we entered! We congratulate you on your magnificent team of volunteers who stewarded everything immaculately. Everyone was so very helpful and guided us through every stage will smiles and good cheer. Your excellent arrangements to avoid ‘Covid problems’ worked very well. All being well we shall be back next year."
"Great event! My first tri and I loved it. I will be back next year and will stay for the post-event fun too! Massive THANKS to ALL of the organisers and marshals!"
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"A brilliant event - really enjoyed my first triathlon, it was such a well organised, friendly event. Thank you so much to all of the volunteers and marshals x"
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"Fantastic event and very friendly! Thank you Mid Sussex Tri Club! 👍👊😘"
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"Absolutely loved this event - it was my first of this event, everything went so smoothly. The friendliest marshals, I was smiling the whole way round, and love love our medals! Thank you guys for a fantastic race. I’m def coming back next year!"
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"Really enjoyed today’s race. Fantastic support, marshals and organisation - went very smoothly and will look to come back next year!"
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"Fabulous event today, so well run and so well organised, such friendly marshals. Thank you!"
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"My first MST today and I loved almost all of it... with the exception of a pesky horse which ended my race early. However, this bad luck (arguably poor horse riding) actually exposed me to the kindness and professionalism of a whole bunch of people. MSTC did themselves proud today and special thanks go out to Paul, Adam and the lovely lady who took the race pictures. Without you all a bad incident would have been a terrible one - you are an asset to the race. Also I must thank those riders who stopped, especially one gentleman who will have undoubtedly lost a chunk of time. I don’t know who you are... but thank you so much. Finally, thank you to the first responders race medical team. Your prep work saved time when the ambulance arrived and you looked after me superbly. So, broken collar bone and some road rash... it’s not great but I wear it as a badge of honour. Great race, and great people. Not so great horses obviously 😂 See you next year."
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"You do a great job of this year-on-year. The race briefing, finish area on the field (complete with beer and cake), and prize-giving with quirky spot prizes are brilliant. 300 people singing Happy Birthday at 7am is quite a thing. Big shout out to the marshals. Being supported by fellow triathletes on the course makes a big difference, particularly for the novices. Cow bells and tiny flags - genius. And being supported by a marshal dressed as a bear on the A272 - that's the stuff of legends.
"Needless to say all our team had a great time at the event. They were impressed by the new medals, the beer and all the usual Mid-Sussex hospitality."
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"I do not think there could have been a better event for this first-timer. Being familiar with the environment and the people, all I had to worry about was my race plan. It was great fun."
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"Thank you all for a wonderful race on Sunday. I had been longing to do your race for a couple of years but had been unable to. It was such a well organised race, from the registration on Saturday, made easy by so many helpers, to the race itself. All questions answered immediately, good directions (particularly the bear marshal at one turning on the bike!!) and fantastic atmosphere."
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"The event was fantastic and brilliantly well organised. A huge congratulations to you and the team; your hard work really paid off. I swam my best ever 400m time too (albeit that wasn’t a hard benchmark). I think I’ll be joining the tri club when I’m back from holiday in a couple of weeks."
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"Blooming loved it! Marshals were awesome (the big bear needs a mention), everyone was friendly and supportive. There were no stupid questions or answers... tri members recognised you from familiarisation day and checked how you were enjoying it - fab! See you next year. Thanks for the great bling!"
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"Thank you so much for a wonderful triathlon - well organised extremely friendly and supportive and also : well done for arranging the sunshine 😊"
"A thoroughly well-organised and friendly event, which seemed to attract first-timers and experienced triathletes in equal measure. This was my first ever triathlon and I found it extremely welcoming from the very first step of hearing about, finding online, and entering, through the small amount of simple communications before the event, to the day itself. The event director and his team put in a visibly enormous amount of effort to make a well-run day that was great fun to be a part of. Each section was well run, loads of helpful, friendly, and encouraging marshals on hand with a smile and a supportive word. Good signposting around transition and out on the course, and clear instructions. The competitors were a friendly bunch too, I could not have asked for a better or more welcoming and fun introduction to the world of triathlon and I will definitely be back for more."
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"I wanted to personally thank you for my first triathlon experience. I entered as a dare in the winter hoping that my pals would join me, they didn't. Instead, i convinced two of their wives to enter with me. It was a first for us all and we found everyone to be welcoming, friendly and full of useful advice.
"To be honest, we were all a little nervous when we arrived bright and early but speaking to other participants and marshals really put our nerves at ease So, i have no other events to compare this one with but credit where its due, we were well informed, treated well and felt welcome to be there. Everywhere was well marked out and there wasn't a question i could have asked that hadn't already been answered. I had a compete lifestyle change to get me in shape for this event and have now got the buzz. I will be completing another triathlon asap and will 100% certainly return to mid Sussex triathlon next year, bringing with me as many friends as possible!
"I can't thank you and your team enough for the most enjoyable morning I have had in many years. Thank you!"
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"On behalf of 4Sight Vision Support and our 5 Visually Impaired triathlon competitors, thank you all so very much for all that you and Ben, Callum and Chris have done in recent weeks and on Sunday to make it possible for Julia, Belinda, Tim, Philip and Bernice to take part in this event.
"For Kip and me, it was fantastic to see what a thrill they all got from competing. I shall never forget Belinda's pure excitement after she had finished her cycle ride and, I think, incredulity that she had done so well. She was still buzzing when we left! Bernice too enjoyed it so much that she's wanting to train to do the whole thing (if possible) next year. Callum and Chris were absolute star pilots, and Julia was amazed as her cycle time was considerably faster than last year."
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"I am writing to say a huge thank you for Sunday. A year ago I set myself the challenge of finishing the Mid Sussex Triathlon. It's been a great journey and I have now achieved something which at one time wouldn't have been possible.
"One of the reasons that my dream became a reality was the nature of this particular triathlon, its ethos and the fact that you showed an interest in my endeavour from the beginning. You have always been encouraging, offering to take me on a bike ride (although I was too lacking in confidence to take you up on the offer at the time), full of words of wisdom along the way, and quick to answer emails.
"The day itself was a triumph of organisation, I felt part of an exclusive club, everyone I met was encouraging, friendly and there was only support for the No 3 on my arm! The marshals were magnificent in every way - I could not have felt more encouraged. It is the perfect triathlon for a novice. Anyway, I will be back next year with a personal time to beat. With very best wishes to you and the rest of the team."