RETIRED teacher Mary Sargeant, from Weir Quay, who having had knee surgery admits she is no longer fast enough to compete at running, bravely decided to try her first aquathlon at Sidmouth.

She had swum at Kelly pool for the last year, coached by triathlete Liz Vernon.  Mary, aged 66, swam 600 metres in a warm pool in 15 minutes before completing the five kilometre run which followed the pretty valley of the River Sid up and then down stream, in 30 minutes to finish first in her category, the vintage class in a total time of 45 minutes.

Mary hopes to compete this summer in her first triathlon, if, she says, she can learn to ride a road racer bike fast enough!