There is probably no better way for a triathlon legend to celebrate her 60^th birthday than to win a World Championship medal and then go on to complete what would be her last Olympic Distance Triathlon – in London.

But for Tasmanian triathlon pioneer-cum popular Burnie podiatrist Doris Trueman one of 8000 Age groupers from 82 countries, was back doing what she does best – after a 15 year absence.

The 1984 British Winter Olympian for Cross Country skiing in Sarajevo scurried around one of the world’s most iconic triathlon venues – not once but twice – with the enthusiasm of the same young filly that won the inaugural Devonport Triathlon back in 1985.

Doris’s name sits proudly amongst the who’s who of Australian women’s triathlon who have won that race –names like Michellie Jones, Emma Carney, Jackie Gallagher, Loretta Harrop, Emma Snowsill, Erin Densham and Emma Jackson – who can be thankful for the role Doris played in getting women’s triathlon recognised.

“She’s a legend of the sport…a real pioneer,” said another proud Tasmanian, one of the State’s finest triathletes, now Triathlon Australia’s Athlete Development Manager, Craig Redeman.

“It was great to see Doris back racing again – she has done so much for the sport, working hard to get equal prizemoney for the girls.”

Doris, cheered on by husband John, turned back the clock to win bronze in her 60-65 years age group in the Sprint (750 swim, 20km bike and 5km run) before lining up to for the Olympic Distance (1.5km swim – reduced to 750m on the day; 40km bike and a 10km run).

And Doris achieved a creditable top ten finish – which were hard to come by in what many at Triathlon Australia admitted was far and away the most competitive Age Group World Championships ever conducted.

Doris, who turned 60 in May, finished her Olympic Distance event in 2hrs 31 minutes and 31 seconds to finish eighth in her age category.

She and team mate from Burnie Phil Crombie, who she shares a birthday with, agreed to come out of retirement for London.

“We had a chat at the local surf club one Friday night and Phil suggested it would be a good idea to race in London and I agreed that London would be a wonderful way to celebrate our birthdays and it would be a whole lot of fun,” said Scottish born Doris, who studied Podiarty in Manchester before returning to Tasmania.

“Thank goodness that’s over with,” said Doris, “that’s my last Olympic Distance Triathlon – I am happy to finish but that’s it for me – I’m going to add the Aquathon next time.

“Those American girls are pretty good on the bike but I was delighted to win my bronze medal in the Sprint event – it was very satisfying indeed.

“It has been 15 years since I last competed and it was great to come back.”

To race in a Triathlon in and around Hyde Park over a course that takes in Westminster, Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, the Wellington Arch and Buckingham Palace provided an extraordinary backdrop for a sport that is truly an international spectacle.

The camaraderie out on the course, in and around the venue and in the Mixed Zone where photographers stopped the competitors for photos at the conclusion of their races was inspiring and satisfying at the same time for competitors, supporters and their families to say the least

The Australians who fielded over 450 Age Group competitors were out in force as was the home nation Great Britain, the team from the USA, Mexico, Ireland and Canada were flying their colours.

Even Prince Frederik of Denmark took his place in the field, blending in with the throng of Age Groupers out to achieve their personal bests.

Port Melbourne’s Carl Fannon kept his younger rivals at bay to take gold in the 35-39 Years age group in a tight finish from Chris Stuart (GBR) and Lars Dick-Nielsen (DEN) with just seven seconds between the three of them.

NSW pair Elyse Foster from Wilton south west of Sydney and Emma Jeffcoat, a Dee Why surf lifesaver were both ecstatic to finish with surprise silver and bronze medals in the 16-19 years age group as was Louisa Abram – mother of Elite triathlete Felicity Abram, who like so many of the age-groupers was just happy to stay upright.

“I was pleased to stay on the bike – it was a case of slow, steady and cautious,” said Louisa, who was cheered on to a top 10 finish by Felicity, sporting two moon boots for her injured heals and boyfriend, Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee, in between his commitments at the official press conference.

“The last thing I wanted to do was fall off the bike - I’m not used to these wet roads,” said Louisa, who spoke for all of the competitors who braved the tricky conditions.

In other medal winning performances, there were three “Bronzed Aussies” with Ray Hunt adding to his Aquathlon bronze with another in the 70-74 year age group triathlon; and Ann Blatchford (bronze in the 65-69 Years).

In the Olympic Distance arena there were plenty of top 10 finishes with:

-          Amy Penberthy finishing eighth in a very competitive 18-19 years age bracket.

-          Georgia Stott (VIC) sixth in the 20-24 years.

-          Balmain (NSW) pair Jocie Everson 5^th and Cath Chatteron 8^th –in the 40-44 years

-          Barbara Hill Pymble (NSW) – 9^th in the 45-49  years

-          Cameron Goodison (VIC) 5^th in the 18-19 years

-          Robert Skillman (Goulburn, NSW) fifth in the 25-29 years in a cracking time of 1:47.41

-          Craig O’Donnell from Birkdale in QLD 7^th in the 35-39 years

-          Christopher Mennie from Ballarat VIC 8^th in the 60-64 years

-          Ray Hunt 5^th and Brian Alderman from Murwillimbah (NSW 8^th in the 70-74 years and;

-          Canberra’s Lachlan Lewis from Red Hill, who at 76 deserves special mention coming home 11^th in the 75-79 years in 3:42.22.