Edinburgh’s Will Johnston finished second, by the closest of margins, in the Youth section of the British Elite Duathlon Championships at Leicestershire’s Prestwold Hall Airfield on Sunday.

Missing out on beating England’s Henry Jarvis by some 0.03 seconds still provides an uncomfortable memory some days later but Will, who finished seventh in this race a year ago, achieved his goal of winning a medal.

“I just lost out in the final sprint,” said 15 year old Will.  “He had more left than me and I had already maxed out to catch him up before that.”

Sunday’s race – a 2.5km run, followed by a 10km bike ride, then a 1.25km run – was a good early season test for Will.

“Triathlon, which includes swimming as well, is my main event so I was pleased to come second,” he said.  “I just wanted to get on the podium, it being the first race of the season on the British scene. 

“I wanted to get a feel for the other athletes, see what the level was. Last year I was seventh so it’s an improvement.”

Originally a runner and swimmer, Will, as a 12 year old saw triathlon as “a natural progression.”  He has been a member of the Scottish squad for two years, is coached in the pool by John McPhail at Portobello Swimming Club, does his running training with Edinburgh Triathletes and his triathlon coaching under triathlon Scotland National Coach, Chris Volley.

Joining the mix this year is the East of Scotland Institute of Sport, part of the Area Institutes of Sport network which provides high performance expertise to Scotland’s potential world class talent. In being selected for ESIS Will has access to essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, and career and lifestyle guidance.

“The strength training has helped me on the bike especially,” he said.  “And psychologically being part of something like that helps with the confidence.”

Sunday’s result will boost Will’s chances of being selected for Britain’s European Youth Relay squad this summer, a key goal of his season.

“At the start of June there’s race at Eton which is the qualifier for the British team for the Europeans,” he said. “This race includes the year above as well, 17 year olds, so it means I have next year as well.”
 
National Coach, Chris Volley said, “Will’s Silver is clearly the highlight of the weekend. The squad has put a huge amount of effort into training over the winter months. This was the first big test of the season and all our squad showed massive improvement.”

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Image by Rob Eyton-Jones