A DARLINGTON athlete has proved she is up there with the world’s best at swimming, cycling and running.

Jade Hutchinson, who attends Darlington Harriers running club, finished 11th in her age group in the world triathlon event in Rotterdam at the weekend.

The 18-year-old’s achievement was made more remarkable by the fact it was just her second attempt at an Olympic distance triathlon, which consist of a one-and-a-half kilometre swim, a 40 kilometre bike ride and a 10 kilometre run.

“I really enjoyed taking part, and my family are all really proud of me.

"After having an awful swim it left me with a lot of time to make up on the other girls in my age group.

"I managed to make up a lot of ground on the bike and then put in a good effort to complete the 10k run in 42 minutes and four seconds."

Miss Hutchinson, who begins university life this week, says she plans to continue competing in the sport and hopes to be a physio after graduating.

“I haven’t been competing for very long – this is only the second Olympic distance triathlon I have competed in, so hopefully with a bit more practice I will get even better at it.

“I have always been into running, and my grandad was a regular cyclist, so I thought I would give it a go.

Ms Hutchinson said she was inspired by the Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Jonathan, who won medals in both the London and Rio Olympic Games.

“There is a massive centre in Leeds where they go to train, so I am planning to go there myself and continue taking part in triathlons."