1.0 Introduction

This article provides an overview of the Royal Marines Rehabilitation Triathlon.

“Competitive sport gives those in recovery something to aim for, and sport has parallels to service life in terms of involving the same qualities, like motivation, perseverance and resilience as well as being physically fit.” (McElhone, 2019).

2.0 Where is the Rehabilitation Triathlon Held?

The Rehabilitation Triathlon is hosted by the Royal Marines at the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre (RMCTC) at Lympstone, Southern England, and surrounding countryside (McElhone, 2019).

The event organiser is the commanding officer of Hasler Naval Service Recovery Centre at HMS Drake, Plymouth (McElhone, 2019).

3.0 Who Can Attend?

The Rehabilitation Triathlon is open to Tri-Service wounded, injured, and sick, serving and veteran personnel, both male and female. As such it is for men and women who are undertaking rehabilitation or who have been wounded injured or medically discharged.

The Rehabilitation Triathlon involves UK Armed Forces personnel (Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force) regardless of where they are in their recoveries and in 2019 included Northern Ireland, Balkans, Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from across the UK, as well as Royal Marines recruits and cohorts from the United States Marine Corps and the Royal Netherlands Marines Corps (McElhone, 2019).

4.0 When does it Take Place?

The Rehabilitation Triathlon usually takes place in June.

5.0 Brief History

The Royal Marines Charity is the principal supporter of this great event, with further support from the Help for Heroes Sports Recovery Programme and the Castle Triathlon Series.

Since its conception in 2012, the Rehabilitation Triathlon has gone from strength to strength, with over 200 competitors in 2016 (The Royal Marines Charity, 2019).

The event has received some amazing support over the years from Hollywood actor Henry Cavill and the attendance of HRH Prince Harry in 2013 (The Royal Marines Charity, 2019).

6.0 What does the Rehabilitation Triathlon Involve?

The Royal Marines Rehabilitation Triathlon is a Tri-Service adaptive competition involving three events:

• Swimming;
• Adaptive cycling; and
• Adaptive rowing.

The event includes swimming, adaptive cycling and rowing and has two routes to choose from depending on individual abilities. The rehab triathlon is for men and women who are undertaking rehabilitation or who have been wounded injured or medically discharged.

There are/is now (Royal Navy, 2016; The Royal Marines Charity, 2019):

• Six classifications;
• Two different race distances to choose from depending on individual abilities; and
• A team event available.

7.0 Useful Links

• Rehabilitation Triathlon: http://www.rehabtri.com/.
• Help for Heroes (Sports Recovery Programme): http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk.
• The Royal Marines Charity: http://www.theroyalmarinescharity.org.uk.

8.0 References

McElhone, F. (2019) 120 Injured Tri-Service Men and Women take part in this Year’s Rehabilitation Triathlon. Available from World Wide Web: https://theroyalmarinescharity.org.uk/news/120-injured-tri-service-men-and-women-take-part-in-this-year-s-rehabilitation-triathlon/. [Accessed: 14 June, 2019].

Royal Marines Charity. (2018) The 2018 Royal Marines Rehabilitation Triathlon. Available from World Wide Web: https://theroyalmarinescharity.org.uk/news/the-2018-royal-marines-rehabilitation-triathlon/. [Accessed: 14 June, 2019].

Royal Navy. (2016) Royal Marines Rehabilitation Triathlon. Available from World Wide Web: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/events/royal-marines/160615-rm-rehabilitation-triathlon. [Accessed: 14 June, 2019].