TRIATHLON: Trio have New Zealand on their minds (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Triathlon friends qualify to represent GB at World Championships

12:36pm Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in Sport

IT WILL be best foot forward for three triathletes heading to New Zealand in October, writes Ruth Ovens.

Diane Moore, 51, from Woodmancote, is up early six days a week preparing for triathlon events.

It is this determination that has led her and two friends to qualify for the International Triathalon Union World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand on October 22, when they will represent Great Britain.

Carole Clarke, 62, from Bibury and Dorothy Liviabella, from Box will be flying the flag alongside Diane in what promises to be an exciting competition.

All three run, swim and cycle for up to two hours every day to keep in top condition.

Diane said: “We try to train together when it is possible but we all have different schedules so it can be hard to organise.”

Each of them competes in different categories based upon age and distance.

Carole and Diane race in the sprint triathlon which consists of a 750-metre open water swim followed by a 20km bike ride and a 5km run.

However, Dorothy competes over the Olympic triathlon distance which is double the length.

Heading to New Zealand will be the highlight of Diane’s season.

She said: “I have been looking forward to New Zealand for a while but I also just discovered that I have qualified for the European Championships in Turkey next summer.”

Triathlon has grown in popularity in the past few years with many people enjoying the challenges presented by combining three high intensity sports.

Diane said: “Triathlon is one of those sports that you can take to any level. Once you have the right footwear, a bike and a decent wetsuit it all depends how much determination you have.

“I have always done triathlon for fun but when you train with others it is easier to push yourself. You always want to do better.”

Qualification to the ITU World Championships is based on triathletes coming through qualifying events. Diane and Carole qualified at Eton Dorney, the Olympic rowing and canoeing centre near Windsor, earlier this year.