A RETIRED Fordingbridge GP has had a dream come true after becoming a world champion in an Ironman competition.

Dr Martin Gannon, 65, who was a partner at Fordingbridge Surgery for 30 years, and his wife Jane, 62, who is a dentist at MyDentist in the town, competed in the Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii on October 6 and 8.

Martin made his dream come true by becoming World Champion in the 65 to 69 age group - 45 minutes ahead of second place, in a time of 10hr 55min.

He said: “I was in 25th place after the swim, my weakest discipline but was leading by the end of the bike leg, and extended the lead during the marathon. It was pretty much a perfectly executed race for me.”

Jane finished in 5th place in her 60-64 age group, enough to put her on the podium for the first time.

The triathlon is made3 up of a 2.4mile swim, 112mile bike and then 26.2 mile marathon run.

Qualifying events are held all over the world, but the Kona race is said to be particularly gruelling for competitors due to the heat humidity and high winds on the island.

Martin added: “I’m grateful and relieved to have achieved a goal I thought was beyond me. Having reached this standard, I am full of excitement for next season and defending this title

“More than this, I am so pleased Jane has raced to her potential and that were both on the podium in Kona.”

After being down in 49th place after the swim Jane battled her way to podium taking the 5th position in the final three miles of the marathon. Her total time was 13 hours.

She said: “I feel so satisfied to have raced myself through the field to 5th place and the podium from 49th out of the water. This result makes all sacrifices and hard work training so worth while.”

Their coach Rob Cheetham shared his delight over the couple’s success in the Ironman competition.

He added: “Jane came across the finish line beaming from ear-to-ear but not sure if she had achieved her dream of a first top-5 (after 6 attempts) and coveted Umeke.

“Seeing Martin hug her and tell her she had done it and realising their triathlon dreams is one of the highlights of our careers.”