From the Teaching Lab to the European Championships

From the Teaching Lab to the European Championships; Anna Bertram is part of the Great Britain Age Group Team 

Anna Bertram, the School of Chemistry’s Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory Manager is travelling to Alcobendas in northern Madrid to compete in the European Duathlon Championships on 26th April.  Having previously represented Great Britain at the World and European Triathlon Championships Anna decided to try her hand at duathlon; she qualified for the championships at a qualifying race at Althorpe House in October in what was her first duathlon.  Duathlon is the sport that many triathletes take up in the colder months when lake swimming and cycling whilst wet through isn’t much fun!  The race consists of a 5km run followed by a 20km cycle and culminates in another 5 km run.

"I’d secured a place in the 2015 London Marathon following a ‘fast for age’ time at the race in 2014 and was all geared up for long distance training when I decided to give duathlon a go.  I didn’t really expect to qualify in my first duathlon so when I did I had to decide which race to do as they’re unfortunately on the same day!  It wasn’t a difficult decision to make as representing your country is pretty special!"