We welcome to Viceroys another active local who enjoys both running and team sports – Charlotte Saunders: ‘My love of multisport began in 2001 during my final years of University. Two of my housemates were keen runners and triathletes and decided that I should be too! I started running again and quickly found that I was really enjoying it and began to run on a more regular basis competing in races from 5km to half marathons. The timely loan of a (rather large) bike saw my first triathlon in 2002 and I was hooked!

I found that although I was placing in both the bike and the run sections, the swim was letting me down and rather than focus on that I swapped from triathlon to duathlon! (obviously the only sensible option!). I loved duathlon and in 2002 I qualified for my first World and European Age Group Championships which was one of the most amazing experiences. I was fortunate to qualify again on a few occasions and managed to secure a Silver medal at the European Championships in 2004.

Following this I had a few years of struggling with running injuries which meant that I turned my attention to cycling and time trials. I really enjoyed these races and competed in local 10’s and also the Duo Normand 2-up time trial which is a brilliant race (and also a target for 2014 with fellow Viceroy Alan Clark where we will be against Kim Bainbridge and Nick Harmon, also new Viceroys!)

Having vowed that I would never compete in triathlons again I was convinced that I should give it one more go so I dusted off my bike and completed a sprint triathlon. Instantly I was hooked again and have been racing in sprints and Olympic distance races ever since. 2013 saw my first ironman distance race in Barcelona with ‘The C Team’ and I loved it. I would definitely like to do another.

I am looking forward to the season ahead and am pleased to be a part of the Viceroys team.’

Welcome to Viceroys Charlotte.