Murton man wins gold at Ibiza world duathlon championships

Brian Stephens, from Murton in County Durham, took the top spot at the prestigious championships on April 29 after four months of rigorous training.

Competing to raise money for Cancer Research, the 80-year-old was joined by his family 20 years after he competed in his first challenge for his 60th birthday, when he ran sixty miles from Silloth to Hexham.

Brian with his medal. (Image: BRIAN STEPHENS)

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Now, after taking the gold medal, Brian told The Northern Echo he “didn’t think for a moment” that he had won.

“I decided on my 80th birthday to take part in the Duathlon, and I had to qualify for the race earlier this year.

“I’ve been involved in running a lot, and then gradually over the years I decided to become involved with cycling. It seemed like a natural thing to start doing Duathlons.”

Brian’s journey saw him running, cycling and then running again in the blazing heat as he was joined by hundreds of other competitors from the likes of Mexico, Cuba, Australia and the United States.

He then competed in the Duathlon with a time of 1:37:20 in his age division after training here in Sunderland as part of the Sun City Triathlon group.

Brian on the podium in April. (Image: BRIAN STEPHENS)

Brian told the Echo: “I just worked as hard as I could and concentrated on my race. I didn’t think for a moment I had won!

“Prior to the race I would have been really happy coming in third place. I remember thinking if I came third, I would have been satisfied.

“So, you can imagine the photos with my family are almost hysterical. It’s very pleasing!”

Following his success, Brian has been overwhelmed with positive support and well wishes from his friends, the local community and his fellow members of Sun City.

He said: “The support has been great. The people in Sun City and sporty people who I know are so happy.

“I went into a cycle shop the other day that I frequent often and the man behind the counter came out and threw his arms around me!

“I’ve received a lot of positive and happy messages, it’s been great.”

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Despite his age, Brian told the Echo that it doesn’t hold him back, as he continues to compete in the same races completed by professional athletes.

He said: “If you keep fit and concentrate on doing your best, you can do it.

“I’m still doing it to a pretty high standard at my age – you’ve just got to keep going!”

Even after the Ibiza Duathlon, Brian isn’t stopping there and will take on cycling up volcanic Mount Teide in Tenerife this August, named the hardest and steepest cycling ride in Europe.

To donate to Brian’s Just Giving Link and donate to Cancer Research, click here.