A POLICE detective has been picked for the Great Britain team to compete in the World Triathlon Championships – 17 years after she last qualified.
Detective Constable Lucy Khan, 44, smashed her previous personal best time by ten minutes to qualify for the event in London's Hyde Park in September.
She will now compete in a 1,500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run across the same route as the triathlon event in the London 2012 Olympics.
She said: "It was a hell of a shock to make the squad. I completed the triathlon in two hours, 20 minutes.
"I last qualified for Great Britain almost 20 years ago, so it's a bit of a comeback to say the least.
"There's still a bit of speed in the old legs."
Mrs Khan previously competed in World Triathlon Championships in Canada in 1992, Manchester in 1993, New Zealand in 1994 and Mexico in 1995.
To qualify for the World Triathlon Championships she had to finish in the top five of the 45 to 49 years age group.
She said: "I turn 45 at the end of the year so I was able to enter this category.
"I am quite proud of my achievements and the fact I can still keep the fitness levels up.
"I knew I would have to hit a personal best to make the Great Britain team.
"The reason behind my improved times is probably motivation and more of a focus.
"I train with my two children – running with Jessica and swimming with her and Yasmin."
The triathlon should be a doddle for Mrs Khan, who has worked for Humberside Police for more than 24 years and is part of the force's scenes of crime forensic investigation unit.
She has recently completed several Outlaw Triathlon events, in which she swam 2.4 miles and cycled 112 miles before running a marathon.
"I entered an Iron Man competition in Lanzarote in May and had a really good race," she said.
"I came fifth in my age group and was offered a slot for the World Championships in Hawaii. I was asked the next day for $800 if I wanted to go.
"The fact I was on my knees from the day before I turned it down – which I regret now.
"So instead I thought I would enter the triathlon in Liverpool and push for a place on the Great Britain team. I did think it would be a long shot, but I was determined having regretted my decision to turn down the Iron Man World Championships."
In the run-up to the World Championships, Mrs Khan is training four or five times a week.
She said: "I'm looking forward to it. I am probably physically stronger and I do think the Iron Man competitions and training for them has helped."
