Search
shop

Racing is back on Saturday… inspired by Neil Diamond!

How the legendary Neil Diamond has provided the rather clever inspiration for the first British Triathlon permitted event to return following the COVID-19 pandemic
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Now this is a clever name for an event!

It makes a change to be talking about a race that is actually happening. This Saturday. In England.

As you’ll have seen recently (HERE), British Triathlon has published its Return to Play guidance, which gives the opportunity for multisport events to restart in England, within a ‘Covid-19 Secure’ manner.

The first opportunity for permitted events to take place is this coming Saturday, 25th July, and the first event to have completed the required permitting and got the go ahead is from Active Training World (www.activetrainingworld.co.uk).

A 750m (open water) swim, 5km run, the Non Sweet Caroline Aquathlon will take place within the grounds of Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood, Middlesex. And the name?, Well, if you are familiar with the song – and if you are not, where have you been?! – means that in this instance, it is a case of…

NO touching hands, NO reaching out, NO touching me, NO touching you!

The event has generated plenty of interest – it’s sold out already – and is due to have several high profile names racing, including multiple Paratriathlon World Champion Lauren Steadman, Long Distance Pro Reece Barclay, and twice European Elite Aquathlon Champion, Hannah Kitchen.

One of the most played songs ever at major sporting events, this Neil Diamond track is practically the anthem of sports such as Boxing, typically sending the crowd into full hype mode immediately prior to the biggest fight of the night.

Fingers crossed there’s no fighting at the Aquathlon… but hopefully they will manage to play the song immediately prior to the first starter, to get the athletes similarly pumped and ready for action!

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders says he went to a “dark place” to fuel his latest IRONMAN win
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...