A PROUD member of the Andover Triathlon Club recently had the honour of representing Great Britain in the standard distance world triathlon championship finals held in Pontevedra, Northwest Spain.

Virginia Graham competed in the event that brought together elite athletes, para-athletes, and age-group competitors from around the globe, making it a truly remarkable and competitive experience for all participants.

The race kicked off with a challenging 1,500m swim in the picturesque river, guiding athletes halfway around an island before exiting at the transition area.

The competitors then mounted their bikes for a demanding two-lap, 39.5km ride, which included both uphill and downhill sections through the stunning Paco de la Culture, eventually leading to the parish of Barro.

READ MORE: Andover's Dan Mason shines at Weymouth half ironman

After completing the bike leg, the athletes returned to the transition area for a gruelling 10km run, consisting of four laps through the historic city centre of Pontevedra.

Adding to the adventure, Gina and her husband, Chris, embarked on their journey to the event in their motorhome, conveniently parking it just a stone's throw away from the swim start.

Fortunately, the weather on race day couldn't have been more ideal, with warm water temperatures and perfect racing conditions.

Reflecting on her experience, Gina said: "What an amazing venue and really well-organised event! I loved the swim and the cycle, and I felt comfortable on the run. I knew that I wasn't in contention for a medal, so my main focus was to enjoy the race and finish strong, which I achieved."

Gina completed the gruelling race in an impressive time of 3:7.3s, securing her 26th place in the world within her age group.

Back on home turf, on Sunday, October 1, John Kane, a fellow member of the Andover Athletics and Triathlon Club, showcased his outstanding abilities at the Solent Half Marathon.

The event, organised by the Hardley Runners, took place in the picturesque New Forest region, winding around Exbury and along the Solent shore at Lepe.

John's remarkable finish time of 1:24.15s was complemented by an impressive pace averaging just 6.24s per mile.

His exceptional performance placed him at the top of his age group and an impressive 20th overall out of 407 competitors.

Elsewhere on the same day, Laura Hodgson, another member of the Andover Triathlon Club, took on the Thruxton Mass Attack Sprint Duathlon.

SEE ALSO: Chapel Arts Studio space opens in Andover High Street

Held at the renowned Thruxton Race Circuit, this event also served as a World qualifying opportunity and was consistently sold out.

The race consisted of a 3.8km run, equivalent to one lap of the race track, followed by a 19km bike ride consisting of five laps.

The competition concluded with another 3.8km run.

Laura made a strong start with a rapid first run and a speedy bike leg.

However, she faced a challenging second run, describing it as "falling off a cliff." Despite the difficulties, Laura managed to finish with a commendable time of 1:24.39s, securing her 4th place in her age group.