Chester-based BBC presenter Louise Minchin braved high winds, pouring rain and jellyfish to come first in her age-group in Sunday’s Tri Liverpool triathlon event (July 26).
The BBC Breakfast host, who has qualified to represent GB in the world championships in Chicago in September, also fell off her bike during a transition from the cycle to the run section of her tri challenge but was safely at her sofa in Salford this morning.
She said: “I got in the water and because it was so cold outside, it felt quite warm. Halfway through I noticed what I thought were ‘pretty fish’ swimming along with us but then I realised they were jellyfish so thought to myself: ‘Perhaps I had better swim a bit faster!’”
Louise was one of 1,500 competitors to tackle the early morning open water swim from Wapping Dock, a cycle loop of the city centre and a run, although she chose a sprint distance of a 750m swim, a 20k bike ride and 5k run instead of the Olympic challenge she will face at the world championships.
The mum-of-two, who lives in Chester with her husband David and two daughters, added: “As I was cycling in the pouring rain, I realised that my left leg was numb so reminded myself to be really careful in transition. I stopped, got off my bike and fell over! Thankfully, although there was blood pouring from my elbow and knee, there was no lasting damage and I am now just bruised.”
Louise wasn’t the only celebrity to take part in the race. She was joined in the sprint distance by Hollyoaks actor Karl Collins, who plays Louis Loveday in the soap, and former Big Brother winner Craig Phillips.
Triathlon beginner, Hollyoaks actress Nicole Barber-Lane, who plays Myra McQueen, completed the bike course as part of a relay team. She was joined by triathlete Lindsay Raywood from Crosby who swam 750 metres and Helen Moore from Bebington who ran 5km to the finish where she joined her team mates, crossing the finish line together.
Louise’s next tri challenge will be in Bala in September before representing GB in the 45-49 age group in Chicago on Saturday, September 19.
Highlights of Tri Liverpool will be broadcast on Channel 4 on August 8, 2015 at 7am.
