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12
Sept 2022
Pateley woman, 65, completes Nidderdale triathlon alone after cancellation
Charity fundraiser Mary Philpott completed the Nidderdale sprint triathlon on her own — after the race was cancelled following the Queen's death.
Ms Philpott, 65, had received pledges of £900 to complete the 400 metre swim, 20 kilometre bike ride and five kilometre run on Saturday.
But the event was cancelled 24 hours before it was due to take place because Brimhams Active, the organisers, felt it would be inappropriate to take place during a time of national mourning.
Not wanting to let down Saint Michael's Hospice, who she was fundraising for, Ms Philpott decided to complete the course alone anyway.
She had already endured disappointments in 2020 and 2021 when the event was cancelled due to covid.
Ms Philpott, who lives in Pateley Bridge and works at Nidderdale Pool and Leisure Centre, where the triathlon was due to start and finish, ended up finishing the course in one hour and 44 minutes.
Mary Philpott completes the course.
The pool roped off a lane to allow her to complete the swim. She then cycled the hilly route to Lofthouse and back before finishing with the run around Pateley Bridge, following the intended route. A ribbon was installed at the finishing line.
With Barclays expected to give £700, Ms Philpott expects to have raised £1,650 for the Harrogate-based hospice, which cared for her husband Paul when he died of cancer in 2015.
She said her legs "felt like jelly" during the run but she said she was "astounded" by her rapid finishing time, particularly as she didn't start training for triathlon until she was in her 60s. She recalled:
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