TRIATHLON: Tri-ing times for Emma ahead of GB bow (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

TRIATHLON: Tri-ing times for Emma ahead of GB bow

1:20pm Thursday 1st July 2010 in

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TRIATHLETE Emma McDermott will be pulling on Great Britain colours three times in the next year, starting with the ETU European Triathlon Championships this weekend.

The 32 year-old, who grew up in Cherhill and went to John Bentley School, Calne, earned the chance to represent her country in the 30-34 age group after finishing in the top four in a qualifying event.

After only taking up triathlon two years ago, McDermott will now head to Athlone in Ireland to compete in the championships this weekend.

“It’s a great achievement and it’s quite exciting to be representing Great Britain and to be wearing the kit,” said McDermott, works as a HR manager and lives in Thame, Oxfordshire.

“It’s going to be huge, as it’s just not the championships but a whole festival with different events – I’ll get to watch some of the elite athletes, which will be great.

“I don’t know what to expect and I’m a bit nervous about it but really looking forward to it.”

After qualifying at both Sprint and Olympic distances, McDermott will be racing in the shorter discipline, and will be expected to complete a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run.

McDermott has also booked her place in September’s World Championships in Budapest, and the 2011 instalment of the European Championships, in Pontevedra, Spain.

MARLBOROUGH and District Triathlon Club (Mad Tri) lifted the overall men’s trophy at the town’s triathlon on Sunday.

Nick Ballard finished third overall to lead the home charge, Howard Johns and Matt Fisher winning their age categories – 40-44 and 35-39 respectively – while finishing 10th and 11th to register the other two contributing scores.

Mad Tri entered 20 members in total, Ballard’s time of one hour 34 minutes and 12 seconds giving him a podium position.

Chris Birch, of the EastStreetCycles.com team was first home in 1:26:58, followed by Daniel Bailey, of the Chichester Westgate club, in 1.31:03.

The event started and finished at the town’s leisure centre