A GROUP of local women enjoyed the challenge of an unusual hen do last weekend, taking on a triathlon in aid of the charity Mencap, ahead of the bride’s wedding in Bratton next month.
Vicki Martin, who grew up in Bratton and went to school in Westbury, undertook the challenge with 10 friends at Westbury Pool on Saturday morning, swimming 40 lengths. They then donned pink tutus and cycled 16 miles from Westbury to the Black Horse in Devizes, before running the last 4 miles along the towpath to their finishing point in Horton.
Vicki, who will tie the knot with Donal Behan next month explained, “I wanted to do something more constructive than going out and getting drunk abroad, which no-one can afford to do, and it means I’ll be slim for the wedding!
“I like to be active, I’ve done a couple of halfmarathons and trekked to Mt Everest. Some of the girls have done triathlons before, but some haven’t done anything. We’ve been training since September, and we’ve really enjoyed it. It’s sociable to meet up in Devizes and train.”
The women swam and cycled together, but used the final running stretch to race to the end. Vicki chose to support the charity Mencap, which funds a college placement for her cousin. The group’s fundraising total has already reached over £1,000. If you would like to sponsor Vicki and the women, you can do so via www.justgiving.com/ vickimartinhen
