Welcome to Shires Triers

The Triathlon club serving Herts, Beds, & Bucks

about shires triers imageabout shires triers imageabout shires triers image
Shires Triers is a friendly, local triathlon club serving Herts, Beds and Bucks.
Established over 20 years ago, Shires Triers is run by its members who know a
thing or two about triathlon (they have taken part in a multitude of events at all
levels and distances, and all around the world).

As a club, Shires Triers is quite simply focused on two things: triathlon… and
having fun.

Club members cover a wide range of ages, levels of experience and abilities with
a range of different goals. So, whether you simply want to improve your
swimming technique, or you would like to compete in a sportive, a super-sprint or
a full ironman, Shires Triers welcomes you. And you are sure to find a club
member of similar ability, with a similar goal or even training for an event you
want to take part in (check out the ‘upcoming events’ section of this webpage).
For more information on Shires Triers and membership please reach out to our
Membership Secretary via the contacts link below.

Coached swim imageCoached swim imageCoached swim image
Musty Salih has been our dedicated club swim coach for the past year.  His weekly swim sets keep us all focused with each session having a clear outcome.

Each swim session starts with a poolside briefing before entering the water so we understand what's involved and why we're doing this particular set.

As we have the whole pool, all speeds are be catered for.

Musty's Bio below in his own words

I completed my first Olympic Distance Triathlon in 1988 and fell in love with the sport instantly and I still love the sport as much as I did when I crossed that first finish line all those years ago. 

When I started in Triathlon, I could barely swim a length but over the years through
research, reading, being coached by some great coaches and trial and error I have taught myself to become a good swimmer finishing in the top 10 for the swim segment in my age group in Ironman Races (6th out of 100 in my AG at 70.3 Nice 2021). The important point is that I had to learn the hard way and late in life to become a better swimmer and I think that really helps me to coach other people to improve their swimming. 


I have helped dozens of triathletes make significant improvements in their swimming and plan to continue doing so for a long time to come, as seeing others improve really motivates me. 

I am a Triathlon England and Ironman University qualified coach and as well as being the swim coach for Shires Triers.  I do still have ambitions for myself as a triathlete so I still train and race
competitively myself.


Sporting Achievements:
  • 3 rd in Age Group in 2012 England National Championships - Olympic Distance
  • 10:18 PB for an Ironman
  • 6th in AG in Swim at 2021 70.3 Nice
  • Completed 12 Ironmans
  • 2:55 PB for London Marathon
  • 2:08 PB for Olympic Distance Triathlon
  • 38:04 PB for 10k

Coaching Qualifications and Experience:
  • British Triathlon Qualified Coach (Level 2)
  • Personal Trainer – Level 3 Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)
  • Ironman University Certificate in Coaching

Besides triathlon, Musty can be seen frequenting the coffee bars across Berko & Tring, enjoying quality coffee and possibly a cheeky pain au raisin!
£17Year

Single Annual Club Membership (no swim included)

  • Club membership includes BTF insurance and covers admin for the club plus it allows you access to a closed Facebook page where all training sessions are posted in full. The club is open to adults 18+ only.
  • This membership is perfect for those who wish to join the club runs and bike opportunities but not the swim.
£30

Single 6-Week Swim Trial Membership

  • For those that would like to trial the swim sessions before joining in full, we offer a temporary 6-week combined membership. Swim membership is open to adults 18+ only.
  • Full swim membership subject to availability
£217Year

Combined Club / Swim Membership

  • We offer a combined membership rate for both club fees and swim. The combined membership is open to adults 18+ only.
  • Swim fees cover the cost of pool hire an a dedicated club swim coach.
  • Places are limited to 28 per year.
Ashridge Boundary Trail Run

Nine intrepid Shires members participate in the gruelling 2023 Ashridge Boundary Trail

Read More  
Wanaka Bay to Bay Swim

Shires member takes to the open water in New Zealand to participate in this amazing swim.

Read More  
The Swimmer

Three brave triathletes take on a half marathon swim across London.

Read More  
Ironman Marbella 70.3

Richard Ruffell, tells us about his recent 70.30 Ironman race in sunny Marbella.

Read More  
Run Swim Run race

Joe, Nicola, Simon, Simon and Mandy participated in the Llanberis Swim run in the shadow of Mount Snowden

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Dorney Triathlon, Olympic Distance

Sarah L puts in a strong performance at the Dorney Sprint Triathlon.

Read More  
Thames 14k Marathon Swim

Simon Baker takes us through his gruelling 14km Marathon swim.

Read More  

All events club members have participated in across 2022 and 2023

 

iSwim Run LiAnberis

Location: LiAnberis

18/06/2022
 

Marathon Swims (5km) QE Olympic Park

Location : London

12/11/2022
 

+++ 2023 EVENTS +++

01/01/2023
 

Event : The Swimmer

Location : London

11/02/2023
 

The Swimmer

Location: London

20/05/2023
 

Dart 10k

Location: Totnes, Devon

02/09/2023
 

5k Swim

Location: London Aquatic Centre

11/11/2023
 

Hemel Hillbuster

Location: Hemel Hempstead

24/04/2022
 

Bedford Time Trial

Location: Bedford

24/04/2022
 

North Herts Sportive

Location: Winslow

17/07/2022
 

+++ 2023 EVENTS

01/01/2023
 

Love Welwyn 10k Run

Location: Welwyn

13/01/2022
 

Hampton Court Half Marathon

Location: London

20/02/2022
 

Berkhamsted Half Marathon

Location: Berkhamsted

06/03/2022
 

Gaddesden Gallop

Location: Little Gaddesden

01/04/2022
 

Edinburgh Half Marathon

Location: Ediburgh

29/05/2022
 

+++ 2023 EVENTS +++

01/01/2023
 

Event : Ashridge Boundary Run

Location: Ashridge Forest

25/03/2023
 

Maderia Half Marathon

Location : Maderia

23/01/2023
 

Venice 51 Bridges

Location : Venice

23/04/2023
 

Ironman 70.3

Location: Lanzarote

19/03/2022
 

Ironman Marbella 70.3

Location: Marbella

22/05/2022
 

Slateman Middle Distance

Location: LiAnberis

12/06/2022
 

Ironman Austria

Location: Austria

03/07/2022
 

Bournemouth Olympic Triathlon

Location: Bournemouth

22/07/2022
 

Box End Sprint Relay

Location: Box End, Bedfordshire

24/07/2022
 

225 Triathlon Relay

Location: Goodwood Racing Circuit

31/07/2022
 

Olympic

Event: Olympic tri Location: Box End

13/08/2022
 

Active Sports Sprint Event

Location: Cotswolds

04/09/2022
 

Bournemouth Olympic Triathlon

Location: Bournemouth

11/09/2022
 

Ironman 70.3 Weymouth

Location: Weymouth

18/09/2022
 

Ironman Greece Athens 70.3

Location: Greece

22/10/2022
 

+++ 2023 EVENTS +++

01/01/2023
 

Ironman 70.30

Location: Marbella

07/05/2023
 

ATW Dorney Lake Olympic Distance

Location: Dorney

11/06/2023
 

Mallory Park Triathlon

Location : Kirkby

24/06/2023
 

Dambuster Triathlon

Location: Rutland

25/06/2023
 

ATW Centurion Box End

Location, Box End, Bedfordshire

02/07/2023
 

Outlaw Middle Distance

Location : Holkham

08/07/2023
 

Alpe d'huez

Location: France

28/07/2023
 

Mumbles Triathlon

Location: Swansea, Wales

04/08/2023
 

Ironman 70.30

Location : Weymouth

17/09/2023
 

Dorney Duathlon

Dorney Lake Duathlon

09/04/2022
 

+++ 2023 EVENTS +++

01/01/2023
 

+++ 2023 EVENTS +++

01/01/2023
 

St Austell Bay Swimrun 2023

27/05/2023
 

Nene Park Swim Run

Challenging sum run event

11/06/2023

Elaine Bunn

Chairperson

Elaine started triathlon some 4 years ago via a local multi-sport club. She has competed in several sprint and Olympic triathlons and is an active member of the club. As well as Chairperson for Shires, Elaine is a busy mum, accomplished seamstress and has played an integral role in building up a successful netball club for young people in Berkhamstead.

Ian Wickens

Club Secretary

Ian is a frequent swimmer and biker, most likely to be found knee deep in mud on his mountain bike somewhere in the beautiful Shires countryside. Ian has been a committed member of Shires Triers for over three years and really values the Monday night coached swim sessions in addition to regular 'social' swim sets and mountain bike rides with club members.

Nick Vaughan

Treasurer

Nick came to triathlon after joining one of our swim sessions. He is passionate about swimming and loves lake swimming. Nick is also a dedicated MTBer and during lockdown turned to the darkside after buying a roadbike and taking the plunge with road cycling. Nick tends to focus on swimming and cycling events.

Rob Pinfield

Club Membership Officer

Rob is a long standing member of Shires having been with the club now for the best part of 20 years. Rob's passion is cycling and (almost) has the largest calves in the club to prove it! Rob's preferred distance is Ironman and his happy place is on his bike.

Nicola Davidson

Communications Officer

Nicola has been a member now for the last 3 years and has proved to be an inspirational club member. She participates in many alternative races that many of us have never heard of.

What equipment do you need for triathlon?

  1. Swim: Swimsuit/shorts & goggles and your Shires swim hat for the pool and a wetsuit for open water
  2. Cycling: A road worthy bike and a bike helmet 
  3. Running: Run gear and a pair of running shoes

Do I need to be experienced to take part in club training sessions?

We cater for beginners to experienced triathletes.  You need to have a good basic level of fitness to participate in the runs and the cycles and be able to swim a consistent 400 metres in the pool to attend swim training.

Do I need an expensive bike / wetsuit?

The most important thing with a bike is that it fits properly and is roadworthy.  An entry level road bike is fine or a second hand bike if you can get one.  It's advisable to get it checked over by a qualified bike mechanic before you train / race on it.  You can hire wetsuits and often then buy them at the end of the season if you want to.

Are triathlons expensive?

Some events can be a bit pricy so try to look for companies that offer free race vouchers as payment for marshalling.  This is also a great way to learn more about triathlon.
  • Tring, UK
  • Club members come from across the three counties including Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring, Leighton Buzzard, Aylesbury, and Wendover. For further information on the club, training, club kit, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to receiving your email!

Jack Hendrix

President

Elizabeth Newman

Partner

Lucy Lennon

Office manager

Jennifer Smith

C.E.O