A UNIVERSITY of Worcester academic finished fifth in her age group for Great Britain at the European Middle Distance Triathlon Championships.

Liz Davies-Ward clocked six hours two minutes in Herning, Denmark, in the 55 to 60 year section.

She did a 1.9-kilometre open-water swim, a 56-mile cycle course and a 13-mile run while representing her country for the second time.

Davies-Ward, 54, said: “Despite the relatively flat road profile conditions on the bike were very tough due to the rolling winds and open landscape.

"This left very little left in my legs when I came off the bike and started the 13-mile run. I was so glad to see the finish line.

“It’s a great honour and achievement to represent Great Britain and to be surrounded by super athletes of all ages was a great privilege.”

Mother-of-two Davies-Ward is the university's acting head of the institute of science and the environment and taught health and wellbeing.

The Hereford Triathlon Club member qualified for the race in Austria last year where she competed for GB at the Walshee ETU Challenge Middle Distance European Championships.