Jane quick to make impact

Triathlon

Age is no barrier as far as Jane Pendered is concerned.

The 54-year-old mother of two from Biddenden ran her first marathon in London a decade ago, took up duathlons last year, and has now qualified for world and European triathlons.

Impressive for someone who admits she hasn’t any history in athletics, apart from doing some running in her mid-20s.

Jane said: “I got into swimming with some ladies at my children’s primary school raising money for MacMillan Cancer, before taking up road biking when I joined Weald Tri Club, based in Cranbrook in January last year and loved it, training almost every day, either on my own or with other members.

“It was when my second child Harry left home last September that I rejoiced in getting my life back, and doing what I wanted to do again.

“My daughter Lucie has just finished her degree in performance sportswear design which I am hoping might be useful one day.”

She added: “I had fun entering local events and winning a few.

“Earlier this year in March I entered a world duathlon qualifier in Bedford, finishing third in my (55-59) category.

“That took me to the finals in Spain in June, where I was fifth and third Briton home, automatically qualifying for next year’s finals in British Columbia.

“My first triathlon took me to Eton Dorney near Windsor, finishing third again, qualifying for the world finals in Mexico in September.

“The following week I went to the European qualifiers at Nottingham and came third again, and I am off to Dusseldorf next year for the European Championships.”

Jane is sponsored by Biddenden Tractorfest and Country Fair, which takes pla next month, and Senacre Cycles in Bearsted.