WITHAM Running Club's Liz Stuckey was delighted to be the proud bearer of a world championship finisher's medal after competing for Great Britain at the Triathlon Age Group World Championships in Cozumel, Mexico.

She admitted that it wasn't the best race she had ever had after an uncomfortable time in the open water sea swimming part of the event, but she loved the experience of competing on the world stage and wearing the GB vest.

Stuckey, who was competing in the women's 40 to 44 years category, said: "What an amazing experience I had.

"Ok, it wasn't the best race, but as an experience, I can’t beat it.

"And I have a world champs finisher's medal."

The Witham star competed over a 1.5 kilometre sea swim, that she completed in one hour 15 minutes 56 seconds, before the 40km bike, which was done in 1h 17m 8s and final a 10km run.

She finished the run in 52m 56s for an overall time of 3h 32m 20s for 65th position in her age category.

The Witham athlete added: "What can I say about the swim, other than it was a nightmare.

"I hated the fact it was in the sea and I couldn’t deal with the currents.

"Not ever doing a sea swim again

Somehow I finished though; I just didn’t want to stop.

"The bike was a flat out and back course with a slight headwind on the way back, but nothing to hinder me.

"I took it steady as I’d been in the water for so long.

"Then to the run and I was expecting it to be harder than it was.

"Yes,it was slower than I would normally go, but that was to be expected in the heat and humidity."