Colchester siblings win Spartan Kids World Championships

Harry and Sophie Jeffery, from Colchester, each achieved a first place trophy after taking on the Spartan Kids World Championships in the Bahamas.

Kids from around the globe competed in the Caribbean challenge, with Harry, 11, and sister Sophie, nine, each taking on the 5k course with more than 20 obstacles, such as monkey bars, ropes and sandbag carries.

Harry takes on the race in the Bahamas (Image: Spartan Races)

Sophie during the race (Image: Spartan Races)

The pair have been doing Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) since they were six, after being inspired by dad Stuart.

Last year in Florida Harry got second, however, he and his sister have now gone one better.

This year both have made history, being the first junior OCR British athletes to win a Spartan Kids World Championship.

Harry and Sophie Jeffery each won their race in the Bahamas (Image: Spartan Races)

The family arrived in mid-August, training and acclimatising for the big race.

Stuart said: “Soon as we got there, we went for a three mile run.

“Every day we got up early, and gradually brought training forward by an hour in preparation for the race times which were late morning.

Training in the Bahamas (Image: Public)

“Even though it was a holiday, it was purely to help them to do the best they could do on race day, and clearly it worked wonders.”

Race day arrived last weekend, with “Harry more nervous than Sophie”.

“They are kids, so we try and focus on the fun side of things, there was no pressure from mum and dad”, he added.

“For Harry, he’s done a Spartan Race so we knew he could maybe win it, for Sophie, it was more for experience.”

Harry won by nearly four minutes, with Sophie taking first by a minute-and-a-half.

Sophie and Harry after their wins (Image: Public)

Stuart said: “The last half a mile I was confident for Harry, he looked strong and confident throughout and held his own beautifully.

“Sophie was under no pressure as she hadn’t trained as hard.

“We just told her to enjoy it. She went slow and steady and it was incredible for her to win.”

Mr Jeffery added: “The whole experience was once in a lifetime.

The Jeffery family pictured in the Bahamas (Image: Public)

Harry and Sophie after getting back home (Image: Public)

“Spartan were so good, the venue was out of this world and the country was beautiful. It’s hard to put into words.

“The whole OCR community has been fantastic since we got back, and we are immensely proud of them both.”