GRANDAD DAVE IS AN INSPIRATION!
72-year-old will be representing GB in next year’s European Duathlon Championships
A SUPER-FIT grandad has been selected to represent Great Britain in the European Duathlon Championships next year.
Dave Juggins, who lives in the Westlands, will compete in the challenging multi-sport event – which combines running and cycling – against other athletes in his age group.
The 72-year-old, who has been running since he was at school, placed fourth in his qualifying race with a time of one hour 14 minutes and will compete in the 70-75 age group. He also qualified last year for the England running team.
Dave, who has been a member of Trentham Running Club for three years, runs five to seven miles three times a week and also cycles around 100 miles every week.
In the Alsager 5 road race in February this year he was faster than all the runners in the 60-65, 65-70 and 70-75 age groups.
The duathlon involves a 5km run followed by a 20km cycle ride and a 2.5km run. The location of next year’s European championships has yet to be revealed.
Dave, who worked as a sales manager for Mars for more than 40 years, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have qualified because it’s quite an elite group. My family are very proud and I’ve had lots of people getting in touch who I have worked with over the years.
“Now that I am ‘getting on’ a bit, it feels great to be able to still run and cycle at such an elite level in my age group. I think it’s a great idea for people to be able to extend their running or cycling careers and I’m so pleased I can still do it.
“I am still as quick as I was 10 years ago and I hope to keep going. I’ve always thought that exercise is insurance to enjoy a healthy life, although it is no guarantee.”
Dan Jordan, chair of Trentham Running Club, said: “Dave is a great runner and duathlete, and Trentham Running Club is rightfully very proud of him. To be chosen to represent his country is an amazing feat. He is an inspiration to us all.”