Chester-based BBC presenter Louise Minchin said competing at the ITU World Triathlon Championships was the ‘hardest and best thing I have ever done’.
Representing Great Britain, the 47-year-old finished in a time of 2.36.53 to place 71st in the women’s 45-49 age group in Chicago on September 19.
Louise said: “It was a very tough run and I finished because of the incredible support along the way.”
She added: “What a day, I think I am 71st in the world, proud to finish and to have been here with these awesome athletes.”
Dr Ceri Nicholas, from the University of Chester’s Department of Clinical Sciences and Nutrition, finished 31st in the group with a time of 2.12.04.
The senior lecturer, from Mold, competed under her married name, Ceri Cook.
She said: "The backdrop for the event was amazing and it was a tough swim in Lake Michigan, followed by a technical bike course through the tunnels and around the streets of Chicago and finished off with a run in the sizzling heat.
"The support all along the course by fellow Team GB athletes plus their families and friends was immense and very much appreciated!”
Ceri was joined by Richard Bott, from the university’s Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, who placed 39th among the 35-39 men’s classification.
Richard said: "Unfortunately I didn't place as well as I had hoped but that may well have been due to the stiff competition.
“I am now looking forward to a few weeks off training, before starting a winter training regime, with the aim of coming back stronger next year."
More than 8,000 of the world’s best triathletes competed across four days in Chicago.
Non Stanford and Vicky Holland finished second and third for GB in the elite women’s category, while Olympic bronze medallist Jonathan Brownlee came in 12th among the elite men.
Louise, who took part in the Deva Triathlon in June, qualified for her age group at the Dambuster Triathlon around Rutland Water earlier this year.
The mum-of-two clocked 11.28 for the 1500m swim, 1.12.25 for the 40km bike ride and 1.05.07 for the 10km run.
Louise took up triathlon in 2012 after it was suggested by a friend.
The BBC Breakfast presenter said: “I didn’t even know what triathlon was before 2012. You can do it at any level and one of the most fun things is doing it as a relay with some friends.
“When I took up the sport two years ago I didn’t imagine for a second then, that, one day I would be able to represent my country internationally.
“I couldn’t have done it without the endless support of my family and friends and my loyal running partner, my dog Waffle.”
