St Cross DPhil Helps Secure Oxford Victory in Varsity Triathlon

Oxford Blue Men's Triathalon Team with their winning silverwear

Marcel Schliebs competing in the Varisty Triathalon for Oxford Blues

St Cross DPhil student Marcel Schliebs (Social Data Science) played a key role in Oxford’s triumph over Cambridge in the 2025 Varsity Triathlon, held on Saturday 10 May at Dorney Lake.

Competing as part of the Oxford men’s Blues team, Marcel contributed to an emphatic overall win in a fiercely contested fixture.

The race followed the “sprint” triathlon format – a demanding combination of a 750-metre open-water swim, a 20-kilometre bike ride, and a 5-kilometre run. The men’s team delivered strong performances across the board, winning all male categories. Their dominance was particularly clear in the opening race, where Oxford finished an impressive 20 minutes ahead of their Cambridge counterparts based on cumulative times.

The Varsity Triathlon is a highlight of the inter-university sporting calendar, drawing participants and spectators from across Oxford and Cambridge. While the Oxford women’s team narrowly missed out on victory by just two minutes, the men’s team extended their impressive winning streak in the annual contest.

Congratulations to Marcel and the whole Oxford squad on a fantastic achievement!