Funding Story: When Elinor Wood got in touch to tell us about her achievements in a ‘Driathlon’, we were curious to know what that was.
Tell us about your sporting background?
I got into fitness in my adult life, as when I was younger, I detested PE, and my only love of movement came in the form of horse riding. My fitness journey started as a bid to lose weight through running, but when I got injured, this changed to become a focus on strength and recovery. From here, I found CrossFit, and I absolutely fell in love with the challenge and that feeling of pushing your body to its limits. In 2018, I was approached by the owner of the gym I attended about competing in indoor rowing, as he thought I may have an aptitude for it, mainly I think as I was long limbed. After doing an initial row, I took a break from strenuous activity when I fell pregnant with my first child. It wasn’t until the start of 2020 that I thought I needed a focus and challenge, and that we started training for the Indoor rowing championships, where I placed 3rd in 2020 and 2nd in 2023 after having my second child.
What is Driathlon?
DRIATHLON is a trademarked fitness event where participants ski, bike and row for 20 minutes each. The special machines called Ergs (or Ergometers) measure calories burnt and assign points depending on how many calories you’ve used up in each session. Participants are competing locally at host venues across the UK, but also nationally, with their score being fed into the national leaderboard. High scorers are invited to compete at the Annual British DRIATHLON Championships. You can compete individually from 10 – 80 years old or as same sex or mixed sex pairs.
What is it about Driathlon you enjoy the most/mention any successes you have had?
I really enjoy Driathlon, I think it’s a real test of fitness and endurance, it’s easy to track and compare, making the ability to progress measurable. When I started in 2024, I got a score of 981 calories across all 3 ergs. I won at the finals this year, holding the world record for women with a score of 1036 calories, and I hope to continue to improve this moving into 2026. I also take part in the pairs with Nick, who owns the gym, and we have also had great success winning the mixed pairs finals in Nottingham this year with a score of 1465 calories.
How can people get involved if they’ve never tried it before? What advice would you give anyone wishing to take part?
I would look up Driathlon online or on social media and have a look at upcoming events, they now also run a team event as well as a half Driathlon if you wanted to start smaller. You can take part from 11 years old, and with most gyms having the kit needed to take part, it is easy to train. All events are well run, and everyone is really friendly. I have actually made some great friends through the sport, whom I keep in regular contact with.
How has the CSSC support helped?
CSSC assisted me with some kit for home to help with my training. I am a single parent, so getting to the gym can sometimes be tricky, so having the ability to train at home has made life so much simpler. It has meant that I can train to a high standard as well as be a mum, work full-time time and study for my apprenticeship!
Does taking part in sport help in your everyday life such as gaining confidence, health, wellbeing?
Training for me is my outlet; it is the one thing I do for myself in my day. I am a busy person, and my time is precious, so training for me ensures that I stay sane. I always say I am not a nice person when I don’t train, and it is 100% true. If I am in a bad mood, send me to the gym!
What, if any, special training, equipment, or nutrition do you need to take part?
There is no special anything you need other than access to ergs and the ability to put your mind to something! Obviously, if you eat well then general health and wellbeing improve, as would your training and although not essential, I do take some supplements to aid my training, such as creatine and electrolytes. However, none of this is essential; my advice would be to start, and the rest will follow.
What do you like about being a member of CSSC, and what is your favourite CSSC benefit?
I feel there are so many perks to being a CSSC member. I take part in the lottery and have been successful in winning £25 here and there. I also take part in the Magic Monday draws and did win a subscription, so the wins do happen. I have also entered a local draw for rugby tickets the last few years and have been successful both times, which means getting to watch local sport at a reduced rate while enjoying a cider, can’t complain!
Find a local gym near you.
Thanks to the return of My Gym Discounts, you can find a great value gym near you and save up to 25% of monthly or annual memberships.
