The Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation were out in force at T100 London this year, where they were competing to raise money for the Great Ormond Street Hospital having trained hard for the event.
With Gordon as team chef and support, the celebrity chef’s family and friends – including Olympian Adam Peaty – were there to have fun, be competitive and to raise awareness of the need to support the hospital.
We caught up with Gordon ahead of the racing to ask him a few questions about triathlon, how the whole family can get involved in the sport and why his transitions take the same time as cooking a full breakfast with fluffy eggs and chives…
Can you tell us who’s competing today Gordon?
I have stitches in my face, which is why I’m not competing. However, the whole family are there. Tana’s competing, Matilda’s competing, Megan’s competing… My son-in-law, Adam Peaty, double Olympic champion, he’s also competing. So, the energy is electrifying.
London’s home. London’s where the kids grew up… It’s also enriched with the professional athletes from racing yesterday coming today to support the amateurs. The Docklands is where we first learnt to water ski!
This is where the whole cleaning up process started over 25 years ago and now we can swim in the Thames, that’s how exciting it is. It’s not just coming out of the water, but getting to see some of the most exciting venues across London. That incredible 40km bike ride – and then the 10km run. I mean, today that’s going to be a sprint, especially in the Ramsay household!
You’re raising money for Great Ormond Street. Why is that cause so close to your heart?
Great Ormond Street for us is a hospital of utter uniqueness. Suddenly, when the kids enter, they’re not there overnight. They’re there sometimes three, six, nine, up to 12 months.
We’re just reaching the £2 million mark now [raised by the Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation]. And what you see behind the scenes in terms of where that money goes for the future development, to help keep those families safe and wrap them up in an environment, that is incredibly special.
We’re blessed, we have six healthy children. And so, every year the kids are always keen for this event to give back and to make sure we continue supporting.
You met a former GOSH patient, Oscar, earlier, how was that?
Oscar, this young man, got diagnosed with a horrific disease at the age of three. To see him now today, at 26 years of age, a prolific chef, having gone through what he’s gone through, but to be standing strong… He’s raised over £3.5 million for us, him and his family. Meeting him today was a joy. I knew I was getting a chance to see him, but when you meet him in person, you get to understand the determination, the energy.
That helps my foundation, my family values, to continue pushing this for decades, more decades. It’s such a brilliant cause. The whole family’s come together.
What was the mood in Camp Ramsay this morning?
Breakfast at Camp Ramsay this morning was competitive! I started caramelising bananas for the porridge. Some wanted toasted bagels, some wanted peanut butter in their porridge… I’ve never seen so many variations of porridge in my entire life! They got fed well, they were energised. Fingers crossed they’re going out to swim and enjoy sightseeing London on that bike to get ready for that incredible run.
And what do you want everyone to get out of the race today?
I want everyone to take home today just how easy it is to tap into this unique sport. Whether it’s an Olympic distance, a sprint, or even a super-sprint, honestly.
I’ve met swimmers today that have only been literally learning to swim for the last eight weeks. So if they can do it, anybody can do it. And the pressure’s off, OK? Train hard, race easy. Get here today and enjoy your day because look at the weather, look at the set-up. And the swim is the most, I suppose for many people, the most intimidating part. But the support out there in the water is incredible. They’re pushing you, coaching you, and it’s pretty cool in there.
And what words of advice did you give to this morning?
Words of advice to everybody this morning on that start line was “enjoy it, ok?” You have done the hard work, you’re here, now enjoy it. Forget the fear because what we didn’t see was the training and everything you do is based on what you’ve trained for. So have fun today, enjoy it, and the money you raise is exceptional. So thank you.
What do you think makes it so special and why should people get involved?
Not only is it one of the most fast-growing, exciting sports on the planet, but it’s family-orientated. You know, my little Oscar’s here today with us as well. He’s six years of age, he’s already asking about triathlon for kids. He wants to jump in the water to follow his mum and dad. So it’s something that’s caught on brilliantly.
It’s something that everybody can do. No matter what shape or size you are, you can do a triathlon. And trust me, I’m six foot two, 220 pounds, not the lightest of chefs. If I can do an Ironman, if I can do a T100, anybody can.
There’s a bit of a battle of the chefs going on today [James Goodyear and Paul Ainsworth are racing]. Who do you think is going to come out on top? Would you have taken them if you were here?
Chefs are competitive, right? If it’s not Michelin Stars, it’s chasing T100 times..! James Goodyear is an absolute beast. Paul is a monster on the bike. So if James comes out early on the swim, Paul will catch him on the bike, and then when it comes to the run, it’s going to be neck and neck. So may the best chef win.
And how does triathlon compare to being in the kitchen?
Triathlons, for me, are competitive. You’ve got to be focused, you’ve got to be energised and motivate yourself, but most importantly, have resilience. No different to our daily life in a kitchen!
And are you going to try and come back for the London T100 next year? And who do you want to see racing with you?
Next year is going to be an even bigger event for the Ramsay family, and I want the entire Ramsay family competing next year. We have six kids, and so it’s going to be a very competitive household… I’m going to do a lot of training off-piste, so the kids don’t realise just how strong and powerful their dad is!
And have you got a message to everyone out there?
Thank you. Thank you for the effort.
A last question… What could you cook in the average bike to run transition time (three to five minutes)?
In that time, I can do a full English breakfast with soft scrambled egg, finished with the most amazing, fresh chives.
