Rochdale Triathlon Club

Rochdale Triathlon Club started life as Oldham Triathlon Club back in circa. 1981 when a group of like-minded young sportsmen met up in The Queens Pub; a well known hostelry at the junction of Rochdale Road and Fetherstall Road, Oldham. These where Steve Walsh, Peter Stevens, Ian Blackburn, Alan Hulme, Mark Harrison, Keith Thompson and A N Other.  Moving in the spring of 1983 from the old sports centre in Oldham to the old Middleton Pool when, because of who we knew not what we knew, we were offered free swim time on a Thursday night, 9–10pm, the time we still have today, but sadly not for free. It was soon after moving to Middleton the club was re-named Rochdale Triathlon Club.

Over the coming 3–4 years, membership fluctuated between 8 and 15 members, but this created a good blueprint for the club as it exists today. From 1985 to 1990 memberships gradually increased to some 25–30 members and had risen to 60 when we moved to the new Middleton Arena in 2009, where it continues to grow.

The early years where a struggle financially, but the free swims helped to keep the club alive. We tried many ways of raising money, including a competition for a poster designed by local school children to attract people to the club. The biggest draw was the performances of the members themselves competing in triathlons of all distances from sprint to Ironman, time trials and foot races. The reputation they set for hard work and endeavour gave the club a reputation in and around the North West.

This drive and determination still surges through the club today. It was this drive and dedication to training that drove the club forward, attracting and keeping some of the best triathletes from the surrounding area. It would take up too much space to name and praise the pioneer members that put the club on the map by winning many team and individual trophies; so I won’t, but some of them still remain solid members to this day.               

Rochdale Triathlon Club is a Star Mark and Club Mark accredited club and continues to work at keeping this accreditation. As a member of Rochdale Triathlon Club you are able to receive top class coaching from qualified coaches, have the opportunity to enter, with confidence Triathlons and Duathlons. As another tool to fine tune your training/racing you can enter foot races, cycle time trials etc. and draw from a wealth of knowledge available within the Club. You have the opportunity to compete in  your stylish club kit and mix with some of the finest people you could wish to be associated with.

We are continually looking for athletes of all abilities to come along and give us a go. You won’t be put under pressure to enter races, only to contribute to the whole and to help us improve and evolve.

Brian Parkinson-Silk, Club President

For any enquiries, please contact: communications.rtc@gmail.com. You can also visit the Rochdale Triathlon Club Facebook page, or call in to the Middleton Arena on a Tuesday or Thursday swim training night.