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Woman, 70, wins triathlon world championship title

Judy Orme only took up triathlon a few years ago and is now world champ in her age group.

A woman who began taking part in triathlons in her late 50s has been crowned world champion for her age group.

Judy Orme, 70, from Portishead, was victorious in the 70-74 age category of the 2024 World Triathlon Championships, held in Torremolinos, Spain, on 19 October.

Representing Great Britain, she took three hours and 13 minutes to complete the triathlon, which included a 1,500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run.

Ms Orme said: "I never thought I'd win. I still really can't believe it."

Judy Orme Judy Orme standing at the finish line of the triathlon in Spain. She is wearing a blue cycling jersey which reads Orme and GBR. She is holding up a medal which is also draped around her neck. She is smiling into the camera. Palm style trees are seen in the background.Judy Orme
Judy Orme took up triathlon after competing in her first marathon at the age of 58 in 2012

The 70-year-old said while she had "always enjoyed being active", she first started competitive running in her 40s.

"I used to play tennis and squash and did mountain walking - then running gradually crept onto the scene," she told BBC Radio Bristol.

Ms Orme then took her running to the next level, competing in 5km, 10km, and half-marathons, before making the decision to complete a full marathon while on her way home from taking part in the Bath Half.

"I met somebody on the train and I said 'oh I think I want to try a marathon'," she said.

"It was just lucky she was a personal trainer and she said 'I can help you do that'.

"I sort of haven't looked back from there."

Ms Orme completed her first marathon in Edinburgh in 2012, aged 58, and has also ran marathons in Chicago, Boston, New York, London and Tokyo.

She has since taken up triathlon as a cross-training technique.

"I never thought that I'd ever end up where I am now," she said.

Judy Orme Judy holding her medal which is draped around her neck. Her bike is leaning on a metal fence. She is centre and smiling into the camera. A beach and the sea is in the background.Judy Orme
Ms Orme took three hours and 13 minutes to complete the triathlon in Spain

'Inspiration to keep going'

Ms Orme said she loves every aspect of triathlon.

"You need to put in more time and more effort because muscle mass as you get older does decrease and you have to keep working at it a bit harder but I love all that," she said.

Ms Orme said while "there's always been this little bit" of her that is competitive, for her it is all about being "a part of these very large events" and the "camaraderie around meeting other people".

"I've met some incredible people and I suppose that's my inspiration to keep on going," she added.

For anyone wanting to take up the sport, Ms Orme said: "You have to believe in yourself. You have to be determined."

Looking ahead to the future, Ms Orme said she hopes to compete in the 2025 World Marathon Championships in New York.

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