Triathlon is now officially the fastest growing sport in the world with Great Britain leading the way.

In London last weekend the season reached its climax with the World Championships taking place on the Olympic course in Hyde Park.

Whilst the TV cameras focussed on the professional racers the weekend was also the scene for the ‘age group’ championships.

Competitors from 85 countries all who had qualified via national competition were there to compete.

One of the many attractions of triathlon is the ‘age- group’ system, as it allows individuals to measure themselves accurately against their peers.

As the parade of nations formed up in Trafalgar Square last Thursday night two women of our local N1 Tri club were there proudly representing GB.

Jane Beech, who lives in Sidmouth is a stalwart of the club who leads and organises its running programme.

She qualified to race in the Bristol triathlon earlier this year she was competing in the women’s 40-45 ‘sprint race’ which embraced a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and finally a 5km run. The eventual winner of the race was a former Olympic champion whilst Beech finished in the middle of the pack with a smile that lit up the wet grey day.

N1 Tri Club secretary Liz Elliott competed in the 60-64 ‘sprint’ category, she qualified in the National Championships at Nottingham and also finished in the middle of the pack of her race won by a Californian woman who was a supreme athlete. To give some idea of the high standard of the event Elliott’s bike speed for the race was around 20 miles an hour!!

If you are interested in getting involved in this fantastic sport the N1 Tri club will shortly be starting its winter programme.

If you are interested in racing triathlons for more information visit www.n1triathlon.co.uk.