Warriors trio set for triathlon

Miles Benjamin will lead the Warriors triathlon effort with a 750m swim

Worcester Warriors trio Miles Benjamin, Kai Horstmann and Pat Sanderson are gearing up to take part in the Mazda Blenheim Triathlon at the weekend.

Benjamin will start off with a 750m swim before he hands over to Horstmann for the 20km bike ride, Sanderson will complete the event with a 5km run.

The trio said they have been training hard for their first ever triathlon.

"We're all quite excited and hopefully it should be good fun," Benjamin told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

The 21-year-old, who was approached by a colleague at Sixways to take part in the race, said it has been a useful way of maintaining his fitness during the off-season.

"Stuart Pickering our conditioning coach came up with the idea about six months ago and I foolishly put my hands up and then a couple of months ago they said 'no, you've actually got to do it,'" he explained.

"It's a good, fun way to keep fit in the off-season so when you come back to pre-season training you're in good enough shape to do it."

The winger, who spent some time on the sidelines last season after breaking his leg, said although the triathlon is new to him, swimming certainly isn't.

"I've seen a few triathlons and always enjoyed watching them," he said. "But I never thought I'd be the best person to be involved in them as they look pretty brutal at the start.

I've done a little bit of swimming before, but never in open water, so that should be quite interesting

Miles Benjamin

"I did play a bit of water polo when I was younger and I've done a little bit of swimming before, but never in open water, so that should be quite interesting, especially at the start when everybody dives in."

Benjamin predicted the trio will try to see the fun side of the event but their competitive spirit is likely to come out.

"We're all sort of laughing and smiling about it now, but I think when we get there we'll all get quite competitive," he said.

"I know Pat [Sanderson] will anyway, but I think it's best not to take it too seriously and just enjoy it."