ONE athlete missing from the Trowbridge Triathlon was the defending women’s champion Rachel Bown.

The teacher from Larkrise School in Trowbridge was in Hyde Park for the Dextro Energy London Triathlon where she won the ladies age group overall title The 40-year-old, who is preparing for the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Beijing, next month where she will compete in the 40-44 age group category, clocked two hours, 17 minutes and 11 seconds to finish six and a half minutes ahead of fellow British athlete Helen Mussen.

She also clocked the fastest female cycle ride of the day and won her own age group by more than 10 minutes.

Bown said: “It was my last big prep race before Beijing and although I had a few issues I won overall.

“I actually had my goggles kicked off and I was very sick on my bike because the Serpentine was disgusting. It absolutely stank.

“I have to say a big thanks to my sponsors and the headteacher and governors at Larkrise School for giving me a leave of absence to represent my country.’’

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