Tony Lummis, 64, from Chatton, competed in the Ironman UK event at Sherbourne on Sunday, September 7, – an arduous 3.8k swim, 112mile cycle and a 26.1mile run.

And Tony, tackling the epic event for the first time, completed the Dorset course in 13hours 49minutes, finishing an impressive third in the 60 to 64-year-old category.

The Alnwick Tri Club member said: "I had hoped for 15 hours, so to finish in 13 hours 49minutes was a fantastic feeling.

"The reception from the crowd at the finish had to be seen and heard to be believed.

"There were still 784 people on the course when I finished.

"It was a fantastic day, fantastic event and first-class organisation. Many thanks to all who have given me advice and guidance."

Describing the race, Tony said: "At 6am, 1,609 of us waited in the gathering area behind the security fencing. The start was delayed until 6.30am as it was still dark! When we were let loose we made our way into the Sherbourne Castle Lake.

"It was a 200-yard swim to the start and we seemed to be in the water for ages – 20 minutes – before the start horn went and we were off. One hour and 27 minutes later I was helped out of the water and then off onto the bike for three laps of a challenging course.

"Six hours and 55minutes later and I was into transition two. The bike was taken from you, you grabbed your run bag, swapped your gear and you're off on the run. It was undulating but not too hilly.

"There was a lap around the castle grounds and a lap around Sherbourne town. Each of these laps were done three times. The run was hard. I ran all the first lap, about 85 per cent of the second and about 75 per cent of the last."

Tony, who lives at The Old Manse, a bed and breakfast establishment, took up triathlon about three years ago and is a founder member of Alnwick Tri Club. Before that, he mostly ran and played squash.

Tony did the event as a charity fund-raiser for Tiny Lives – the special care baby unit at the RVI.

You can still donate Tony on line at www.justgiving.co.uk/tonylummisironman

>>> FOUR members of Alnwick Tri Club have competed in the Ironman Monaco 70.3 challenge.

Ian Simon, Paul Jones, Byron Beatty and Tracey Sample took part in the event – a 1.9k swim, 56mile bike and 13.1mile run – on September 7.

Both Paul and Tracey had been ill two weeks before the race, throwing their chances of competing into doubt. But both finished the course.

The race consisted of an aggressive sea-swim in the Mediterranean, followed by a cycle through the French Alps, with three climbs and descents. To finish, the run was 4.5 laps of a generally flat course around the beach and marina.

Finishing times: Ian Simon 5hrs 28min; Paul Jones 6hrs 2min; Byron Beatty 6hrs 18min; Tracey Sample 6hrs 38min.