I remember that not everyone enjoyed the runs, but I liked them and was fortunate enough to win the Exmoor twice (1988 & 1989) and was runner-up once (1987). I was also lucky to win the Averages Cup (for the best average accumulate score over the cross country season) on two occasions.  On the flip side, my brother Iain proudly reminds me that he finished in last place, the year I won in 1988.

At my time at WBS there were many talented athletes studying at the school.  including Steve Ojomoh, the Bath, Gloucester and England International Rugby Player.  Steve and I attended WBS at the same time and were both members of Grenville House.  Needless to say, when Steve played for Grenville in the inter-house competitions we always won.  I was a day-boy and Steve a boarder.  On one occasion I returned to my study to find Steve eating my packed lunch, he probably can’t remember this, and its maybe why he got so big.  Famous sportsmen who attended WBS just before I arrived included Victor Ubogu (Bath & England Rugby Player) and Jonathan Edwards Olympic and World Triple Jump Champion.

At this time, in the late 80’s, the school had a very successful Rugby team that  dominated at local, regional and national level.  The school was also successful in just about all the sports played, including Athletics, Basketball and Cricket.  I‘m sure the sports culture at the school at this time inspired me to train harder. 

After leaving WBS, I went onto university at Brunel University were I studied Sports Science and Geography.  I continued to run and was lucky enough to be selected to represent the British Universities Cross Country Team in 1992.  In the same year, on the track, I won the 5000m at the British Universities Athletics Championships.  

Around about this time, I developed a number of running related injuries including stress fractures to my left foot and I eventually fell out of the sport.  For around 15 years, I did not play any sport, except for the odd game of football. 

Then in 2011, over a few drinks, my next door neighbour suggested we take part in a 3 day cycle challenge called ‘Ride the North’, cycling 240 mile for charity across the north east of Scotland.  I think I must have had a few too many by that point, especially as I did not have a bike, but I agreed to do it.  We successfully completed the ride in a respectful time, but I was soon looking for a new challenge.

I decided to give Triathlon ago and I entered my first Triathlon in July 2011 in the MPH Aberdeenshire Triathlon Series at Westhill, near Aberdeen, where I finished 9th overall.  Since my first Triathlon race I have competed in many races across the UK and Europe.

My biggest sporting accomplishments to date have been competing for the Great Britain Age Group Triathlon Team on four occasions. 
Triathlon is fairly unique in that it gives people the opportunity to compete for their country at elite and non-elite level (i.e. age group).  
My first race for the GB age group team was at the European Standard Distance Triathlon Championships 2013 in Alanya, Turkey, finishing 16^th.  In 2014, I competed in Kitzbuhel, Austria finishing in 8^th position.  Whilst last year I raced in the European Sprint Triathlon Champs in Geneva (33^rd) and at the European Sprint Duathlon Championships in Madrid (13^th).  My result at Geneva was disappointing, but 5 weeks before the race, I was knocked off my bike and I fractured my elbow in two places. 

This year I am hoping to qualify to represent GB again at the European Triathlon Championships in Kitzbuhel 2017. 
You can follow David’s progress here..

Webpage / Blog : www.davidhornetriathlon.com
Twitter: @foghorne___
 
Instagram: @foghorne___