This episode is full of everything, a history of British Triathlon, Triathlon in the North East, plenty of anecdotes and to be honest a pretty astonishing legacy in the sport!
Kate Charlton & Paul Jones (PK Triathlon Podcast) sit down with a Triathlon legend... no not a Brownlee (although they do get a mention... "something about scrawny little kids from Leeds!"), nor is it Mark Allen or any other well know Triathlete. Paul & Kate are talking to Jem Lawson.
Jem represented Great Britain as an Age-Grouper. He was Chair of Tyne Triathlon Club and then a leading club coach. Jem also chaired the North East Regional Committee. He set up the North East Children’s Triathlon with Phil Davies.
Jem has been a board member of British Triathlon, becoming Vice-Chair in 2005. In 2007 he became Chair of the newly formed Triathlon England.
At an international level Jem has served as Secretary General to the Board of the Association of Commonwealth Triathlon Nations.
Listen in as we talk through some of the changes we have seen in the sport, how Jem was feared (mainly by Paul) as a referee, the evolution of the sport, bringing in development officers, how the North East Children's Triathlon was developed and the history of Tyne Triathlon Club.
We talk about Jem's legacy to the sport of Triathlon and how he ended up wrestling!
We also discuss why you should have a Gin and Tonic before every race and why Jem thinks we should all go to Turkey! Oh and he is still racing today... this is full of entertainment, history, passion and knowledge. Grab a cuppa (or a G&T) and enjoy.