Anne Crawshaw and Graham Sheward are a couple with a difference - in their 60s but still aiming to qualify for the British triathlon team.

Often found pounding the streets or swimming in the sea off Mersea, the duo go to Bournemouth this weekend aiming to qualify for the British triathlon team which will travel to the World Championships in Montreal, Canada, later this year.

Neither will be a stranger to that scenario.

Four years ago, Crawshaw was first picked for the team that went to the competition, while Sheward is currently the over-60 world quadrathlon champion.

Quadrathlon combines the three triathlon disciplines - running, swimming and Cycling - as well as canoeing.

To "celebrate" her 60th, Crawshaw has already planned a sea swim followed by either a cycle ride or run.

She said: "I'm having my birthday on the 12th instead of the third because of the qualifying event. I'm hopeful of getting in again.

"The first time I was picked I couldn't go to Mexico because of illness, but since I've been to Cleveland, Ohio, and Perth in Australia. Next year it's in Perth again, but my short term aim is get qualified this year."

Sheward is also aiming to qualify in the men's section of the demanding endurance sport.

The couple, who live in Mersea Road, Colchester, also work together at Colchester Leisure World.

Crawshaw revealed her sporting chance did not arrive until ten years ago when she took up canoeing. Cycling proved a natural progression, although her running had to be improved by the Riverside Running Club.

At 55, Crawshaw realised her true potential when she went to New Zealand to compete in the gruelling Coast to Coast race - 240km across the South Island of the country.

Things went from there and now both her and her partner are remarkable athletes on the north Essex scene.

Anne Crawshaw and Graham Sheward - aiming to qualify for the British triathlon team

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