Ironman doc to pound out the miles

3:35pm Friday 4th July 2008

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A DOCTOR has swapped his stethoscope for running shoes to train for his first triathlon through the streets of his town.

Dr Julian Barrell aims to set an example to his patients as he enters the gruelling Upton-upon-Severn Triathlon, scheduled to take place in July.

The triathlon called Upton Tri+ is the first triathlon for Dr Barrell of Upton Surgery in Tunnel Hill in Upton.

The only bike he owned before he entered the triathlon was a Victorian tandem which he has had since his first year at medical school.

He has now bought a racing bike for a little over £300 which he hopes will be more suitable for the demanding event.

Dr Barrell has entered a nine mile assault couse called ToughGuy race and spent 10 years in the Army but feels he is now too old to be rolling around in the mud.

He said “I must be mad” but said it was all worth it if it encouraged his patients to get fit.

“Torturing yourself with exercise is very difficult to sustain unless you have an aim. As a GP there isn't a day that goes by when I don’t encourage quite a few patients to do more exercise but I know how difficult it is to keep it up,” he added.

The Upton Tri+ on Saturday, July 12 consists of a swim down the River Severn, followed by cycling around local roads and finishes with a run. It is designed for newcomers and experienced athletes alike with two different distances and the option to do it all or put a relay team together and do one discipline each.

The swim is downstream, making the course easier for first-timers and the race itself is followed by a post race party.

The race involves a 10 km run after a 1.5 km swim and a 40 km bike ride.

If you want to be one of the many people finishing the Upton Tri+ on Saturday, July 12 you can enter online via the website at uptontriathlon.com