A MOTHER-of-two has proved she is made of strong mettle after coming fourth in the World Triathlon Championships - weeks after completing another gruelling contest.

Jo Short, 44, finished fourth in her age group at the event, believed to be the biggest triathlon competition ever staged.

The three-day event, in Hamburg, Germany, saw 150 of the world's top triathletes battle for the title of world champion - and a further 7,500 amateur athletes, including Mrs Short, compete in age group contests.

Mrs Short, from Darlington, completed the 0.75km swim, 22km bike ride and 5km run in 1hr, 21mins.

Her achievement came two weeks after she competed in the Ironman competition, held in Sherbourne, Dorset, which is one of the world's most arduous triathlons.

The event involves a 2.4-mile swim, followed by 112 miles on the bike and finishing with a marathon.

Mrs Short, who has two children, took 12hrs, 50mins to complete the course.

Despite the achievement, Mrs Short, who works part-time as an usherette at Darlington Civic Theatre, remained modest.

She said: I was a bit disappointed with my time. I think I could have gone a bit quicker. On the run I felt great, but halfway through my knee started to hurt."

Already an experienced runner, Mrs Short started training for triathlons in 2003, to prevent injury and introduce variety.

She now does ten to 15 hours' training a week.

"I didn't expect to come fourth in the World Triathlon Championships," she said. "I didn't even realise until two of the other competitors congratulated me. I was really pleased."

Mrs Short, who also works part-time for the Amateur Swimming Association, thanked her children, Holly, ten and Tom, 13, and her mother, who looks after the youngsters when she is competing. She said: "They are so supportive."