TRIATHLETE Peggy Crome, from Eggesford, took part in the World Aquathon and World Triathlon Championships held in London on the same course as the Olympics.

Peggy achieved a gold medal in the World Aquathon and a silver medal in the World Traithlon Championships.

The former British female age-group triathlete of the year completed a 1,000 metre swim and 5k run as part of the World Aquathon event.

She completed the swim in 24 minutes 53 seconds and the run in 29 minutes 17 seconds but said she "spent too long trying to take off her wetsuit".

Peggy explained: "I was obviously really pleased with my result and on doing some number crunching; my time would have won a bronze medal in the next age group down and just 33 secs behind silver."

In the World Triathlon there were a large number of people taking part.

Her swim went well but she added: "I was a bit disappointed to exit the water with my GB friend and rival, Carol Killick, who I usually beat in the swim leg.

"Carol beat me in the Europeans by about eight minutes, so I knew she was one to chase, as well as the top American, Patricia Ryan."

Peggy added: "Out on the bike leg, longer than the 20k it should have been, at 22.5k, it was very wet and we were advised to be careful on the 180 degree turns.

"I was pleased to overtake Carol a couple of times but she kept coming back at me. I then lost her only to be in another battle with Patricia Ryan, the top American. I did manage to lose her before the end of the bike leg. At his stage I did not know where the 'unknown' others were in the race.

"As I came into the finishing straight I heard Steve Trew, the commentator saying, " . . . . she comes here from the North Devon Triathlon Club . . . she was a gold medallist on Wednesday in the aquathlon and silver medallist today the ever-smiling Peggy Crome".

"Music to my ears, I had won the silver medal."

Peggy added: "I was very pleased with the result and had cut the eight minute deficit with Carol Killick to two minutes 50 seconds, in spite of her improved swim time.

"It was good to bring a gold and silver medal back to Devon."

Peggy thanks Mike Saunders and all those at The Bike Shed in Crediton who have helped her to get her bike sorted for her competition work and also the supportive staff at the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre and Mid Devon District Council.

Peggy has represented Great Britain, winning numerous world and European titles over the years.

In 2012 at the European Championships in Israel she claimed gold in the women's 65 to 69 years sprint.

Alan Quick