Rising star Dan Elliot set for a Euro mission

Dan Elliot, from Meole Village, has enjoyed a meteoric rise since deciding to join Shrewsbury Triathlon Club just 18 months ago.

The university student initially started competing in sprint distance events where competitors swim 750 meters, cycle 20 kilometres and then end with a five-kilometre run.

But after winning three of the four events he entered in his age group, the 19-year-old quickly opted to move up to the full distance version of the sport.

He competed in the Ellesmere Triathlon which saw entrants gather in north Shropshire from across the United Kingdom.

And after producing a time of just over two hours and nine minutes, the youngster earned himself a top-three finish in his age category.

That meant he qualified for the prestigious European Triathlon Union's Age Group Championships which are taking place next year in Kitzbuel, Austria.

And Elliot admits even he is surprised at how quickly he has managed to make it to the competition that will see Europe's finest amateur triathletes go into battle.

He said: "I always thought I had a chance at being able to compete in triathlons, but this has all happened very quickly.

"About a year and-a-half ago I joined the local triathlon club in Shrewsbury.

"But that was just mainly because I had done quite a bit of running with my dad and fancied a new challenge.

"Initially I took part in sprint distance events, but after winning a few I stepped up to the full distance.

"I headed to Ellesmere knowing that if I finished in the top three I would qualify for the competition in Austria.

"But, while I thought I had a shout, I never expected to do it. It was a great feeling seeing I had finished in the top three with so many people having come up to take part."

Triathletes in the UK have three opportunities to qualify for the Age Group Championships with similar events also held in Liverpool and Worthing.

The top three from each category at each race wins a place at the competition – with Elliot now having his sights firmly set on next year's showpiece.

He continued: "The competition in Austria sees the best amateur triathletes from across Europe compete. It's for all the people who are committed to the sport but aren't doing it on a full-time basis.

"It's going to be tough, but I'm really looking forward to it. I turn 20 in July so I will have to step up an age group.

"I'll be competing in the 20-24 age category which will be another challenge. But now it's just a case of finding as much time as possible and getting in as much training as I can."

As well as competing in triathlons, Elliot is also studying to be a primary school teacher at Birmingham City University.

And he is looking forward to his summer break so he can compete in more events and train harder.

He added: "I've got five events left before the season ends and the water gets too cold to compete.

"Llandudno, the Peak District, Salford and Liverpool are all holding triathlons. Then I'll end the season in Shrewsbury with the Shrewsbury sprint.

"In the meantime, I've got a personalised program which I work to and I try and train for two or three hours a day, six days a week.

"There's a lot of hard work ahead but I want to make sure I do everything I can to be ready for Austria next year."