A super-fit septuagenarian celebrated her 70th birthday in style – by completing a gruelling half ironman event for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Fitness instructor Marion Walker took on the energy-sapping challenge – a 1.2-mile sea swim, followed by a 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run – in Weymouth.
It was her seventh half ironman event, in addition to four full ironman races, and, in the process, with the help of match-funding from Barclays, she raised a phenomenal £1,600.
Birthday girl Marion was cheered on by husband John and five close friends, along with many others who cottoned on to the fact it was her special day.
“It was a great event, and I was very pleased and proud to raise as much as I did,” said the mum of three, who also has two grandchildren.
“I asked people in my fitness classes which charity I should raise funds for, and so many said EACH.
“It’s such a great cause and one I have so much respect for.
“It does an amazing job caring for children and families in our community, and it was an absolute pleasure to show my support in this way.”
After an early start, Marion was pleased with her swim but found the hilly bike ride more challenging and was hindered by her chain coming off.
She thought she was going to miss out on an official finish time because the cut-off point after the bike section was five hours and 30 minutes.
“I saw a clock showing the elapsed time as 5h 59m,” said the personal trainer, who lives in Benhall, near Saxmundham.
“However, I’d forgotten that was based on when the faster swimmers set off, earlier in the morning, rather than when I’d gone into the sea.
“As I went into transition, I asked if I’d missed the cut-off and was told to carry on, eventually finishing in 8h 12m 33s.
“I’d already decided I was going to do the run regardless, so was absolutely thrilled to get an official time.”
Marion received plenty of support as spectators and fellow triathletes picked up on the fact it was her special birthday.
She said: “I had a fairly good run, and, on the first lap of three, I saw three of my friends, Wendy, Sara and Lynda.
“They cheered and shouted happy birthday, which really picked me up.
“Just along the esplanade were my husband, John, and two more friends, Nikki and Bryan.
“They also shouted happy birthday, as did more and more folk on the second lap.
“Then, during the last half-mile, many triathletes who had finished and seen me on previous laps started shouting, clapping and encouraging me to keep going.
“More spectators joined in, and I felt like a celebrity as I ran onto the red carpet at the finish line. It was brilliant.”
EACH Community Fundraiser Anne Austin said: “What an incredibly energetic and brilliant way to raise funds. We’re so thankful and wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the amazing support of people like Marion.
“She did fantastically, and, as well as saying a huge well done, I’d like to offer my belated birthday wishes. What a way to celebrate!”
