A UNIVERSITY of Worcester academic represented Great Britain in a prestigious international triathlon event.
Liz Davies-Ward finished fifth in the 55-60 age group of the European Middle Distance Championships in Herning, Denmark, on Saturday, in a time of six hours and two minutes.
The acting head of the University’s Institute of Science and the Environment had to take on a gruelling 1.9km open water swim, a 56-mile cycle and a 13-mile run.
It is the second time the 54-year-old mother-of-two has taken part in the European Triathlon Championships, having competed in the 2016 Walshee ETU Challenge Middle Distance Triathlon, in Austria.
A member of Hereford Triathlon Club, Ms Davies-Ward trained 15 hours a week for the event, which saw her finish just 23 minutes behind the winner.
“Despite the relatively flat road profile, conditions on the bike were very tough due to the rolling winds and open landscape,” said Ms Davies-Ward.
“This left very little in my legs when I came off the bike and started the 13-mile run, so I was glad to finally see the finish line.
“It’s a great honour and achievement to represent Great Britain and to be surrounded by super athletes of all ages was a great privilege,” she added.