Members’ Achievements
Within our club we have ordinary people doing extraordinary things which our members often don’t get to hear about. We will be regularly featuring members here who have enjoyed some great achievements or who have an interesting story to tell. Please let us know if you are aware of a member who has done something remarkable that you feel should be highlighted – email almostathletes@hotmail.com.
Mary Welsh – 4th place in age category at World Triathlon Championships
I started doing triathlons in the same year as I did the London Marathon in 1983. My first race was in East Kilbride on a freezing cold November day on a borrowed bike. Since then I have continued to compete several times a year with a break only when work restricted my training time.
Julie Bridge – supporting Alzheimer’s with marathon determination
Julie Bridge has come a long way since running her first mile with a friend from work in 1996. She enjoyed it so much that she entered and ran the London Marathon for the first time two years later and completed it in 4 hours and 44 minutes. The 26.2 mile distance has been an obvious favourite for Julie who has now completed over 20 marathons both in the UK and overseas.
Virginia Pawlyn – First marathon at the age of 70
Virginia Pawlyn started running in 2006 in order to train for the 5K Race for Life. She had never been sporty at school but kept fit in retirement by doing aerobics and yoga. This was the first race she had completed since the egg and spoon race at school!
Perhaps we shouldn’t say this, but the above was about 10 years ago and Virginia continues to be an active member of our club.