STROUD Triathlon Club boast two Team GB Age Group triathletes amongst its ranks.

Tracy Gwyer and Lewis Saunders will be representing Great Britain across nation and international races this season.

Tracy said: “Up until the age of 38 I was a couch potato. I enjoyed ‘the good life’ until we moved to Nailsworth and I joined Stroud Masters Swimming Club.

"The following year I swam the channel as part of a relay team. Swimming became a little more difficult following the birth of twins, but I continued to swim regularly for Masters until five years ago when someone asked for people to do a triathlon for a good local charity cause.

"I did the swim and bike as part of a relay, but felt I had let myself down by not running. I joined a local running club, trained hard and went back to following year to complete the lot. From then on I got the 'tri bug' and do six or so races each year (Sprint and Olympic distance races).

"My highlight was winning my age group at the London Triathlon in 2011. Last year I qualified for Team GB for the European Championships in Austria. Unfortunately my race ended in disaster with a mechanical issue on the bike leg, but I shall try and qualify again next year, with only three places remaining at the last qualifying race it is a big ask.”

Lewis added:  “I swim with Stroud Masters Swimming Club and have done for the past five years.

"I got into running with Stroud Athletics Club at the grand old age of 48, but found that too much running gave me dodgy knees.

"After two operations I decided to incorporate cycling into my exercise program. This is where my interest in Triathlon started and soon I got the bug.

"For my 50th birthday I treated myself to a triathlon bike and was the first member of Stroud Triathlon Club as it started up last year.

"Stroud Triathlon Club is a very friendly club. We train together and have regular coached sessions across swim/cycle/run with a great coaching team. I enjoy the club scene and the coaching has been beneficial to me.

"This year I have trained hard and recently qualified for Team GB age group triathlete for the European Middle Distance event in Mallorca this October.

"I am also going to Sweden in August to compete in my first Ironman and next year plan to qualify for the World age group team.“

Club chairman Grant Barnett said: “It is fabulous that such a young club as ours has two members representing Team GB.

"The club has a large and growing junior section and Tracy and Lewis are role models for these youngsters and our adult members alike.

"They represent what can be achieved when you train hard and put your heart and soul into something. They are amongst the best in their age groups in Great Britain and certainly two people many might hope to aspire to be in the future.

"Tracy and Lewis are flying the flag for Stroud and our nation & we wish them all the very best with their future races.”

Anyone interested in becoming a member, please see www.stroudtri.co.uk for more details.