A SCHOOL secretary will pack her bags for Hawaii later this year after qualifying for one of the world’s toughest endurance events.
Linda Worrall, 55, who works at Meadow Primary School in Great Sutton, is looking forward to taking part in the Ironman World Championship in October.
The one-day event features a 2.4-mile open water swim in Kailua-Kona Bay, a 112-mile bike ride across the Hawaiian lava desert and a marathon 26.2-mile run along the coast of the Big Island from Keauhou to Keahole Point and back to Kailua-Kona.
Linda, a member of Chester Triathlon Club, qualified after winning her age group (55-59 years) at the Ironman Lanzarote event.
She put in impressive performances in the ocean swim and the bike ride before completing the race with a marathon run in the strong wind and sweltering heat.
Linda, who combines her strict training regime with her job at Meadow Primary, said: “It was fantastic to book my place in Hawaii. The whole competition in Lanzarote went really well.
“It was important for me to concentrate on the positives and try to not get worry about the negative things such as the heat and the strong winds.
“My aim going into the competition was to complete the course and make sure that I got my commemorative medal, but I did also want to try and qualify for the World Championship.”
Linda, whose 18-year-old daughter Lucy is a successful national colleges swimming champion, has appeared at the Ironman World Championship before – back in 2006.
“Hopefully I will be able to use my experience of Hawaii to my advantage,” she said.
“It will give me the chance to challenge myself against qualifiers from all over the world, so the standard will be high.
“The World Championship is the pinnacle of Ironman racing and it’s a great honour that I will be taking part.”
Now in its 33rd year, the Ironman World Championship sees athletes experience crosswinds of 45mph and 95 degree temperatures as they battle through the one-day challenge.
