Consett athlete leader Peter Walton is swapping checkouts for workouts as he gets ready to head to Italy as part of Team GB in a prestigious duathlon event.
And the Tesco team leader will be travelling to the event courtesy of his colleagues at the County Durham town's Extra superstore, as they have been madly fundraising to send the 64-year-old father of five off in style to take his place in the Team GB 65-70 age group.
Even though ex-marine Peter has been a keen sportsman for 40 years, he says he still can't believe that he is good enough to bag his place to represent his country in the 2023 European Sprint Distance Duathlon - and be reserve in the whole world event later in the year.
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Peter, who has worked for Tesco for seven years, says he has always been a keen club runner, and represented the Royal Navy in cross country events before he left the services 27 years ago, going on to run in the inter-service races, representing the Royal Navy against the Army and RAF. He took to cycling much later, and started competing in duathlons around seven years ago, qalthough he still runs for the Royal Navy running club.
"It still feels bizarre," said Peter, who trains five days a week. "I've always been competitive, but I was at a race a couple of years ago, and I was talking to another competitor, who was wearing his Team GB strip. He told me I was good enough to try to qualify for Team GB in my age group, and I decided to give it a go. Without him, I would not have pushed myself and would not be representing my country in Italy."
Peter, who will be 65 by the time he takes part next March, says his whole family is still in a state of disbelief at his achievement - made even all the more amazing because he has had both his hips replaced and has had to work even harder to get back up to speed.
"I am really pleased with how I've got on but it still feels strange," said Peter. "I was happy enough just being a good club athlete and it honestly never occurred to me that I was of the calibre to compete for my country. I don't think I'll believe it until it's over!"
To win his place, Peter had to compete with other athletes in three separate heats. The event in Italy will consist of a 5 km run, 20 km bike race and then another 2.5 km run.
"I'm training hard and looking forward to it," said Peter. "I was blown away when my colleages raised £1,100 for my travel to get there, and it's their kindness that has allowed me to go."
Jamnes Delaney, manager at Tesco Extra in Consett, said: "We are all very proud of Peter and can't wait to see how he gets on it Italy. We will all be cheering him on!"
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