All About Magazine - Issue 11

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38 AUGUST 2015
One joy of putting together each edition of All About
Magazine is the interesting folk we get to feature. For
instance, Hilary Stevenson.
Hilary is an accomplished triathlete with five
gold medals in her category at the European
Championships. She did rather well in last
September’s World Championships too, competing
in Edmonton, Canada.
“I came third, earning a bronze medal, beaten only by
two Americans,” says Hilary. “Those damn Yanks,” she
jokes.
Hilary’s achievements in athletics are even more
impressive because she is a leading light for the
sport, aged 71. “I have earned an automatic place in
Lisbon for next year’s Europeans and hope to make
it six victories in a row,” Hilary adds. She is, however,
more than aware of the competition at that level.
“Some ladies have come up to my age group, so it
could be a bit more difficult this time.”
The triathlon which encompasses a 1.5km swim, 40k
bike ride and 10km run is no mean feat.
The spritely grandmother previously ran marathons
but took her first steps in triathlon after a suggestion
from her dentist, John Coombes, a keen participant
himself.
She entered the 2002 London Triathlon, winning her
age group, and the rest, as they say, is history.
A niggling hip injury has seen Mrs Stevenson
withdraw from this year’s Worlds in Chicago, but she
has no plans to throw in the towel just yet.
“I want to get better from the injury for next year and
hopefully bring home more gold,” she adds.
Good luck Hilary from All About Magazine. Newport
salutes you.
Age is not a barrier