SWIMMERS showed off their running skills when they took part in the Pentathlon GB modern biathlon series at London’s Olympic Park recently.

More than 1,500 young athletes headed to the capital for th e run-swim event including 14 members of Pioneer 79 Swimming Club who representing their schools.

The younger athletes tackle a 50m swim and an 800m run, while the older age groups swim either 100m or 200m (dependent on age) and run 1600m.

The Aquatics Centre, used to host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, provided the perfect backdrop for this legacy event.

Accrington Academy’s Simone Ellson competed in the Under 13 Age group - finishing 12th after her 100m swim (1.07.47) and was 37th overall after her run.

Elton High School’s Charlotte Dunn finished 55th overall in the Under 14 Age Group with Ribblesdale’s Martha Smith and St Christopher’s Ellie Ward finished 65th and 66th respectively in the same age group.

In the Under 15 age group, Blythe Fourie finished a superb fifth place overall after recording the second fastest run following climbing out of the pool in 42nd place after her 200m swim.

Eleanor Collin was 8th fastest swimmer to finish 22nd overall after the run.

Ellie Perris was competing for Ribblesdale High School in the same age group, finishing 44th overall while Olivia Nicholls, competing for Accrington Academy was 46th overall.

Baxenden St Johns had a strong contingent of Pioneer 79 Male Swimmers competing on the Sunday. In the Under 10s category, Joshua Baynes finished 37th overall while team-mate and school friend, George Lee finished 61st. Sam Fenton, was 93rd overall in the Under 11s.

In the Under 13 age group, Ben Makin, competing for St Christopher’s, finished his swim in an impressive eighth position and was 23rd overall after his run. Tom Baynes of Hollins Technology College was 23rd after his swim and rose to 13th overall.

In the Under 14s, Ben Turland competing for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, was fourth fastest after the 100m freestyle swim and finished an excellent fifth place overall afer he was 12th in the run.

2It is great to see our swimmers doing so well in alternative competitions away from the pool,” said Head Coach, Mike Wilson.