British triathlete dies during swim leg of Ocean Lake Triathlon

May 7, 2021

Sad news over the weekend – a first-time triathlete has died during the swim leg of the Ocean Lake Triathlon at Leybourne Lakes near Maidstone, Kent.

The alarm was raised after Paul Gallihawk, 34, failed to complete the swim on Saturday (29 August), and his body was recovered two days later. The cause of his death remains unclear.

The organisers said: “We are all deeply saddened by the death of a participant of Saturday’s Sprint Triathlon. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends at this very difficult time.”

Ocean Lake Triathlon Club organises six sprint distance events throughout the year, with last Saturday’s race being the penultimate one in the 2015 calendar.

British Triathlon CEO Jack Buckner said: “Tragedies are unfortunately inevitable in any sport, but the loss of a relatively young participant in triathlon, a sport often seen as an exemplar in its ability to promote physical wellbeing and fitness, is a shock to us all.”

Mr Gallihawk had been raising money for King’s College Hospital in London (JustGiving page), and donations have now passed £13,000.

(Main image: Ocean Lake Triathlon)

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