British Triathlon celebrates age-group success
23rd November 2013
The Great Britain Age-Group team was the best in the world this year, dominating the World Triathlon Grand Final London and multisport races around the rest of the world. Celebrating this at the British Triathlon awards dinner in Birmingham, Age-Group athletes of the Year rubbed shoulders with Britain’s world beating elite athletes including world champion, Non Stanford.
In a year of so much success, Gill Fullen and Brian Forster were presented with the British Triathlon Female and Male Age-Group Triathlete of the Year awards.
Gill Fullen, of Bedford Harriers, has been a regular member of he Great Britain Age-Group team and this year was her best by far. She won three world titles in the 45-49 Age-Group during 2013 including the Long Distance Triathlon, Standard Distance Duathlon and the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon.
She commented: "I’m absolutely shocked, I’m stunned to be given this award by Mr [Alistair] Brownlee himself, it’s made it all worthwhile. There are some fantastic ladies in the category and I’m really honoured."
Demonstrating that age is no barrier, Brian Forster of City of Chester Tri Club won gold at the Horst ETU Powerman Sprint Duathlon European Championships in the 80-84 Age-Group in April. He not only retained the title that he won last year, he even went a minute and a half quicker.
This year saw the Great Britain Age-Group Team win an unprecedented number of medals in international competition. The strongest and most competitive ever team competed in Hyde Park, with successes coming from the youngest to the oldest age groups.