A former PE teacher who is still enjoying international sporting success at the age of 68 is grateful for the support she is receiving from Newquay Leisure Centre.

Representing Great Britain, Theresa Frost, from Newquay, took a first place at the European Aquabike Middle Distance event in Belgium this summer and a second place at the 2023 World Aquabike Long Distance Championship in Ibiza.

Theresa, who has had a double hip replacement, has also just qualified for the Aquabike European Standard Distance Championship in Malaga next year.

Last year the veteran athlete entered the Barcelona Ironman which required a 3.8k swim, a 180k bike ride and the running of a marathon. 

Theresa was the oldest woman to finish and came first in her age category. 

“Finishing the Ironman was my biggest achievement to date,” said Theresa. “It has always been my goal.”

Theresa is one of 84 Cornwall-based athletes to be awarded support by the GLL Sports Foundation (GSF) this year.

GLL, the not-for-profit social enterprise that operates leisure centres in Cornwall and elsewhere, has been running the GSF award scheme for the last 15 years.

“Getting GSF help means I have free entry to any GLL leisure centres in the country – including Newquay Leisure Centre where I regularly do my swim training,”  said Theresa. 

“I go there early in the morning as I run a smallholding with my husband and like to get my daily exercise routine done before taking on the physical chores that my day job requires.”

Theresa has always loved sport – competing in marathons and triathlons before choosing to re-focus on cycling and swimming.

“I’m a firm believer in the value of exercise – both from a physical and mental point of view. My family are the same. Peter, my husband, was a keen kayaker before developing a brain abscess in 2020 but still managed to walk 125 miles from Devizes to Westminster recently, and my daughter Harriet is a runner.”

Karen Edmond, GLL’s Cornwall community sports manager, said: “As the cost of living continues to bite, it has never been more important to support UK athletes. 

“We’re proud to be able to help people like Theresa achieve their sporting potential. With her outstanding results, she more than proves that age is no barrier to athletic success. 

“She’s a credit to Cornwall and to her country.”