Multi-talented Rower Comes Runner-Up in First Triathlon

Leander Club rower, Natasha Harris-White completed her first triathlon at Eton Dorney Lake last Sunday in scorching hot conditions and came runner up in the Women’s competition in her first triathlon and first in her age category.

This was an amazing first attempt for Natasha who was only 33 seconds behind the winner.  The triathlon event saw Natasha swim 1500 metres, cycle 40km and then complete a 10km run.

Natasha is more used to competing at Eton Dorney in a rowing boat and has won many trophies there, like the Met Regatta, for both Newcastle University and Leander Club. In her home town of Henley, Natasha has previously won Henley Royal Regatta in a quad, has twice won Henley Women’s Regatta in a pair and then won again at Henley Women’s Regatta this year in the Leander quad.

Although running and cycling can be part of Natasha’s rowing training, she had only swum in open water twice in the weeks before the event so said that she was thrilled that everything went so well at her first attempt.  She said afterwards, “I’m really pleased to win my age category. Fortunately as the triathlon started at 7.30am, although it was hot, the weather conditions weren’t as bad as they became later when the heat was more intense.”