Peggy defies the odds to win world title

Injury and age are no worries for Westward Ho! athlete Peggy Crome, aged 81, who has enjoyed an incredible year, winning four gold medals in international events.

Peggy’s roll-call includes: European Aquathlon Gold in Coimbra, Portugal, European Triathlon Gold in Vichy, France, World Aquathlon Gold in Townsville, Australia (proudly supported by the North Devon Gazette and World Triathlon Gold in Torremolinos, Spain.

Here is Peggy’s story from the World Sprint Triathlon in Torremolinos, an event sadly marred by tragedy:

“You may possibly have heard that two men died in our event which of course put a huge cloud over the sprint championships. A Mexican man died in the swim and one of our own GB men died on the run, possibly from a massive heart attack.

“So, a very sad day. Respect was shown by a one-minute clap before the medal presentations in the evening. 

“For the story behind the results, I won Gold in my age group. I had a good swim when many did not complete in the 30-minute cut off. There was widespread disappointment because pretty much everyone with a Garmin measured the distance to be 1k, when it should have been 750 metres.

“I finished in 27 minutes, which also reflects a longer distance. It was a bit rough from time to time, mostly due to the power support boats. In the men’s 80+ group, only three out of the 10 starters finished in time. I would have had silver, in the men’s group!

“At the start, I saw the tide coming in from the right and I know, from Wake Park, if I don’t look up, I veer off to the right. To compensate the strong (ish) drift, I started on the right and by the time I got to the first buoy I was right on target. It was a bit bumpy out there but it didn’t faze me too much. 

“Long run from the swim to T1 up and over the bridge and then around the outside of transition. 

“I was surprised and pleased to see that the three American ladies’ bikes were still there when I got back. Knowing that my running was poor from an injury, I ran through transition and really concentrated on the bike route, which was undulating and a bit technical with a few 180 degree turns at roundabouts. 

“Back to T2, still well ahead of the three Americans. And then it all went downhill, so to speak! Running with my bike, a group of men overtook me like it was a wild west stampede. One of the guys at the back was trying to run and push his bike by the saddle. He was totally out of control and caught my left leg with his right pedal.

“I looked down and the only way I can explain it is . . . if my leg were a book, the front cover would be open. Four marshals saw it happen and I asked if they had a plaster. I don’t think they realised how bad it was. They looked back at me with blank faces.

“Running down the blue carpet to my spot, I saw a rubber band. Used for keeping pedals horizontal, not an uncommon find in transition. Back to my racking position, I racked the bike. Took off my bike shoes . . . flattened the fleshy flap on my leg and stretched the rubber band over the widest part of the injury to keep it shut.

“Running shoes on and off I went, in fear of the Americans catching me. I thought a lot of swear words but kept them to myself. I then tripped over a one-inch high piece of taped wire at the exit, which was bit embarrassing and off I went! More swear words in my head. 

“Although I had the original injury in my right leg, now the left leg was stinging which clearly was not conducive to a speedy run. At each turn around point I timed the American who was nearest to me – I was just about holding my own.

“The run seemed to go on forever but in spite of the pain, I maintained a forward movement and was relieved and extremely happy when I ran up the finishing tunnel and saw the finishing bridge with my name and 1st. The marshal at the finish line made sure I had looked up and I knew I was world champion in my 80+ age group.  

“I pointed to my leg. Then it was Medical tent. They found it rather amusing that I had put a rubber band around the injury. Bev was with me by then and apparently they said that it was a very intelligent thing to do!

“Bev was amazing because she has a good command of Spanish and helped me through all the steps that followed, including getting the insurance sorted. So in a nutshell it was:

“Finish – collect finisher medal…Medical tent…Back to our hotel where Dr Helen Evans inspected the injury and decided it was definitely a hospital job… Presentations – to get my gold medal, with bandaged leg…Hospital for sixteen stiches…Phone call to Yellow Jersey to claim my 500 Euro hospital deposit back.

“As you can imagine, I was ready for bed and sleep. Did I sleep? No, I did not. I kept reliving the incident.”

Winning is never easy but Peggy Crome is in a league of her own!