Cumbria's record-breaking 'running granny' added two bronze medals to her accolades when she represented Great Britain in the European Triathlon Championships in Portugal.

Retired doctor Angela White, 65, from Barrows Green near Kendal, placed third in both of her first championship races at the World Triathlon 2024 event.

The mum-of-three and grandmother-of-four travelled to Coimbra to take on the Europe Triathlon Duathlon Championships on June 15 and finished with a time of 01:31:28 in the 65-69 age group.

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She then finished at 06:41:49 in the Europe Triathlon Middle Distance Triathlon Championships on June 22 in the same age group.

"I enjoy long distance-running however I'm not really a swimmer or cyclist and in 30 degree heat it was jolly tough so I really surprised myself," she said.

"I felt incredibly emotional to be able to bring home two bronze medals. 

"The little girl inside me was fleetingly inspired at a young age but I never imagined in later decades she'd get to represent her country - let alone stand on the podium twice.

"I always try to tell people to people never let go of your dreams - you never know when you might be able to make them happen."(Image: Eddie Winthorpe, LRPS)

(Image: World Triathlon) Amazingly, Angela started running at the age of 53 inspired by a friend who introduced her to ultra-running and she began pushing herself with longer distances.

At first, these included 24-hour races, a 100-mile race and a 190-mile Northern Traverse however she went on to set herself the ultimate goal of achieving a new Guinness World Record.

Motivated by the need to raise awareness of looking after ourselves as we age, in September 2019 she ran 875 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End .

She overcame an injury and extreme weather to do so and completed the JOGLE distance in 18 days, 10 hours and three minutes.

This raised over £9,000 for her social enterprise Going for Old aimed at inspiring people to make small, positive lifestyle choices to improve health throughout life.

She was also a Trustee with Age UK in South Lakeland for five years, chair of the Health and Wellbeing Forum for three years and regularly lectures on healthy ageing and building better bones. 

Angela added: "My aim is to contribute to changing public perception of ageing.

"Particularly when I became a grandmother, there were light-hearted jokes about knitting a scarf during my runs and if I should be doing this at my age.

"Whatever age we are, our perceptions of older age will change.

"If we give it such negative attributes then that will significantly constrain our expectations of what our own older age may look like.

"I only started running at 53 after I was inspired by an amazing friend who was 66 and training for a big event.

"People need to encourage each other - age shouldn't define you and what you do."

To find out more about 'the running granny, please visit Dr White's website.