MORE than 70 pupils from Churcher’s College Junior School gathered for the second event in a series of ‘Millie’s Sportive Masterclasses’.

Under the guidance of Barney Gray, the founder and chairman of Tri-High Multisports Club in Liphook, Millie Cooke-Priest inspired her fellow pupils to take part in their first triathlon.

The children embraced the three disciplines of swim, cycle and run, as well as experiencing the transition process from pool to bike and bike to run.

Following on from her successful hockey day led by international hockey stars, Millie’s tri-a-tri was again run in association with the Liphook-based charity Dreams Come True, and it offered years 3 to 6 a fun introduction to the world of triathlons.

Hosted at Churcher’s College Senior School, the children learnt to rack their bikes, prepare their transition area and comply with the rules of the sport.

The young triathletes embarked on a pool swim ranging from four to six lengths, and several laps of a cycle route around the playing pitches, before a final run to a crowded finish line, flanked by cheering parents and the reward of an engraved medal.

The fundraising event enjoyed a ‘food fit for champions’ barbecue with Mooka ice cream and a Pimm’s tent for the supporters.

Staff and parents from Churcher’s College Junior School and Churcher’s Senior School were on hand to help marshal and support the young competitors.

Millie has her third and final masterclass, an intro to archery day, at the end of the summer term.

She hopes to continue raising money for Dreams Come True, while inspiring her fellow pupils to get involved in different sports.