"I love that I can still compete and represent my country"

Peggy Crome, 80, is quite simply a legend of age-group triathlon. Here’s why…

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I am a proud Devonshire Dumpling, a title only claimed by those having both parents born in Devon. I was one of seven children brought up on a farm near Chulmleigh, Devon.

I have worked all my life. I taught Maths and PE in Tottenham and moved back to Devon in 1970 where I taught children with little or no sight, in Exeter. After retiring, I moved to Westward Ho!, my favourite north Devon village.

I have represented GB 50 times with 31 podium finishes, of which 17 have been gold [Ed: putting Peggy in the top 10 in the world for the most appearances, and the leading British woman for golds]. I also won the female veteran title in the Europeans in Milton Keynes in 1987, before the records began.