Part of the Etc.
There’s not many of us that get the chance to compete for our country on the world stage.
But imagine doing just that - alongside your grandparents!
That was the situation SRC Bede Sixth Form student Paige McLeod found herself in when she qualified to represent Team GB at the 2017 ITU Duathlon World Championships in Canada.
“I don’t think many people would be able to say that they have competed in the world championships with their grandma and granddad,” said Paige.
“But it is a nice feeling, especially as they have had such a massive involvement in getting me there.”
Both Paige and her granddad Tony, represented Team GB for their relevant age categories in the duathlon and aquathlon.
While grandma, Sandra, completed the family hat trick, taking part in the aquathlon.
Triathlon training since she was seven, Paige, who is studying Biology, Psychology and Sport, says her grandparents have always been her inspiration.
Both heavily involved in the Cleveland Triathlon Club for 30 years it is no surprise the sport has become a family affair.
However, with Sandra having qualified for the world championships only once before and Tony twice, in their 30-year history of the sport, the pair said this year it really did feel like the stars aligned.
“It was amazing and something that I have always wanted to do as a family,” said Sandra, who is secretary, events organiser, coach and junior co-ordinator at the local club.
Tony, who is the club’s head coach and welfare officer, said: “It just goes to show if you are determined to do something that you can.”
Training up to six days a week with a combination of cycling, swimming and hill runs, the family were in a prime position to spur each other on for the world event in Penticton.
Paige said: “It was an amazing feeling to compete against some of the world’s best athletes, from all over the world. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing.”
With Paige and Sandra both having now qualified for the 2018 World Championships and Tony waiting to hear, the family are hoping to get the chance to do it all again in Denmark next year.
But imagine doing just that - alongside your grandparents!
That was the situation SRC Bede Sixth Form student Paige McLeod found herself in when she qualified to represent Team GB at the 2017 ITU Duathlon World Championships in Canada.
“I don’t think many people would be able to say that they have competed in the world championships with their grandma and granddad,” said Paige.
“But it is a nice feeling, especially as they have had such a massive involvement in getting me there.”
Both Paige and her granddad Tony, represented Team GB for their relevant age categories in the duathlon and aquathlon.
While grandma, Sandra, completed the family hat trick, taking part in the aquathlon.Triathlon training since she was seven, Paige, who is studying Biology, Psychology and Sport, says her grandparents have always been her inspiration.
Both heavily involved in the Cleveland Triathlon Club for 30 years it is no surprise the sport has become a family affair.
However, with Sandra having qualified for the world championships only once before and Tony twice, in their 30-year history of the sport, the pair said this year it really did feel like the stars aligned.
“It was amazing and something that I have always wanted to do as a family,” said Sandra, who is secretary, events organiser, coach and junior co-ordinator at the local club.
Tony, who is the club’s head coach and welfare officer, said: “It just goes to show if you are determined to do something that you can.”
Training up to six days a week with a combination of cycling, swimming and hill runs, the family were in a prime position to spur each other on for the world event in Penticton.
Paige said: “It was an amazing feeling to compete against some of the world’s best athletes, from all over the world. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing.”
With Paige and Sandra both having now qualified for the 2018 World Championships and Tony waiting to hear, the family are hoping to get the chance to do it all again in Denmark next year.
