There was another international adventure for Carn Runners last week as Janet, Sarah and Laura travelled to Tallinn, Estonia, with their friend Caroline for a memorable weekend of running, swimming, cycling and chocolate.
Following previous trips in 2022 and 2024, the group returned to the Estonian capital to take part in IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn as a relay team. Racing under the brilliant name Team Birds 200 — chosen because 200 was the sum of their ages — they combined their strengths across the three disciplines and finished 23rd out of 29 teams.
A team effort from lake to finish line
The relay took place on Sunday 23 August, with Laura first into action for the 1,900-metre swim. The opening leg was held in a lovely lake and, thankfully, the swimming conditions were good.
Once Laura had completed her part, it was over to Jan for the 56-mile bike leg. The weather was far less cooperative by this point, bringing wet and windy conditions to the course. Jan was more than up to the task, however, completing her ride before handing responsibility to Caroline for the final discipline.
Caroline then took on the half-marathon run, bringing Team Birds 200 home and securing 23rd place in the relay standings. With many of the other teams considerably younger, it was a result to be proud of and a fine demonstration of what good teamwork can achieve.
Sarah completed the line-up as team manager, taking responsibility for the important behind-the-scenes duties and making sure the group had a suitable base for the trip.
Starting the weekend with the Sunset Run
The relay was not the group’s only event in Tallinn. On Thursday 20 August, they joined around 1,500 runners for the official 5K Sunset Run.
With every participant wearing the same event T-shirt, the run created an impressive and colourful sight through the city. It was a fun way to begin the weekend and gave everyone an early taste of the atmosphere surrounding the IRONMAN festival.
There was also individual success to celebrate. Caroline produced an excellent run to finish third in her age category, earning a place on the podium. Jan came extremely close to joining her, narrowly missing her own age-category podium by just one place.
Team management fuelled by chocolate
Of course, no successful away trip is based on sport alone. Sarah’s hotel selection proved to be an inspired piece of team management, although its location and facilities may not have been the only deciding factors.
The hotel offered a free chocolate buffet every afternoon — an opportunity the group naturally felt obliged to investigate on a couple of occasions!
Between the matching shirts, the race-day razzmatazz, the relay teamwork and the afternoon chocolate, the trip delivered a little bit of everything.
Another successful Tallinn adventure
IRONMAN events are known for their big atmosphere and sense of occasion, and the group thoroughly enjoyed everything that came with the Tallinn weekend. Each member had an important role to play, whether swimming, cycling, running or managing the team, and Team Birds 200 completed another highly successful trip together.
The weekend also adds another chapter to the club’s growing collection of team-based multisport adventures, following outings such as the Carn Runners relay at the Perranporth Triathlon.
A huge well done to Laura, Jan, Caroline and team manager Sarah — and congratulations to Caroline on her Sunset Run podium. Team Birds 200 certainly made their latest visit to Tallinn count!
