Three local athletes competed in the Triathlon World Championships in London, against the best triathletes from across the world.
Jessica Williams, Andrew Cunnell and Samantha Boswell took part in the Olympic distance race consisting of a 1,500m swim, 40k bike ride and 10k run.
Samantha Boswell, a working mum from Blackwell who juggles family life, work and training, competed in the 40-45 age category. She had never made the top 20 at the World Triathlon, and it looked as if this would remain a dream when she broke her toe six weeks before the event.
But despite the lack of training and the added discomfort of a large blister two miles into the 10k run, she came 16th out of 114 starters, and is thrilled to have achieved her goal.
Bromsgrove triathlete and fitness trainer Jessica Williams was competing in her first ever World Championships, and came 39th out of a field of 116 starters in her 30 to 35 age group.
And Blackwell’s Andrew Cunnell, competing in the 65 to 70 age group, finished a respectable 45th overall.
All three athletes loved the experience and reported that the support from the British camp was fantastic.
Pictured: Sam Boswell and Jessica Williams