Supergran claims triathlon triumph

FREE PRESS REPORTER

AN inspirational grandmother who had not cycled in 20 years has finished a charity triathlon.

Julie Davis, from Haslingden, previously raised £1,200 for Veterans in Communities (VIC) in September 2017 when she completed a tandem skydive to celebrate her 55th birthday.

But the retired housing charity finance officer came up with the idea of doing a Pink Wave Triathlon - a 200m swim, 9km cycle and 2.5km run - after deciding to do something ‘a little more challenging’.

She said: “I have diabetes and last November my doctor said if I didn’t do something I could end up on insulin. If that had happened I would have thought I had failed myself. I started to eat properly and I lost a stone, then I saw my brother and sister-in-law and I often come away with a crazy idea after seeing them.

“The weight loss had improved my blood sugars and my sister-in-law said she had signed up for the triathlon and if she could do it so could I.”

Julie began a Couch to 5k programme of exercise at the gym in February in order to train for the race.

She said: “After my first 60 seconds I felt like dying and then I tried to pedal the cycle, oh my - wobbly knees.”

Julie had help from her seven-year-old grandson and ‘personal trainer’ Theo who accompanied her on the electric scooter while grandma jogged.

Julie, who again raised money for VIC, completed the swim in 7 minutes 58 seconds, bike ride in 35 minutes 28 seconds and the run in 19 minutes 35 seconds. She also made a donation to Cancer Research UK through entering the event at the York Sport Village.

To donate visit virginmoneygiving.com and search for ‘Julie Davis’. ●● Gran Julia Davis with her medal after completing the triathlon