Young cyclist goes for green
A Washington teenager has spoken at her nearby Rotary club as a guest speak.
Elizabeth McKinnon, 13 spoke of her sporty lifestyle and shared her previous achievements with the club.
The young speaker started riding a bike at just nine months old and has now won all five of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross events in the North East earlier this year.
She finished second on the British Cycling podium this year, second at the Dervy event and third in the Mini Great North Run.
Neil Mcone, Rotary Washington said: “Rotarians and guests were overwhelmed with young Elizabeth’s obvious dedication and confidence and gave her a well earned round of applause.”
Elizabeth travels around the country to compete and is often up against males, but hasn’t let that phase her.
The sports star shines in the Cyclo Cross races and is now ranked number one in the country in the under 14 category.
Dad Neil is a coach at Derwenside Cycling Club which Elizabeth has been a member of since eight yeards of age.
She told the club that she enjoys taking part in triathlons and trains five days each week for competitions.
Neil added: “Rotary Washington has previously supported Washington’s Paralympic GB swimmer Matt Wylie and GB tumbler Shanice Davidson from an early age so we are looking forward to a triple gold GB with Elizabeth.”
She is aiming for the coveted green jersey, which is awarded to the overall leader of the under 14 girls races.