A MARRIED couple from Wirral are celebrating after both qualifying to represent team GB at the World Triathlon Championships.

Chrissie and Mike Garnock-Jones, who now live in Sheffield will travel to Cozumel, Mexico where the championships is held in September.

Mike said: “As a married couple, we are very excited not just to be representing GB in an Olympic year but also to be competing together at the same event.”

As GB Age Group qualifiers they will be competing in the same week and at the same venue as brothers Alistair and Jonny Brownlee who are Triathlon champions.

Having made the grade at the recent World qualifying event held in Llandudno, the pair, along with the famous brothers, will be representing Great Britain.

While competing was put on hold for Mike and Chrissie so they could bring up their three children, the couple now feel the time is right to do something for themselves.

Chrissie said: "Now it’s our time, our opportunity to compete at world level.

“We have tried to keep ourselves fit although this has been difficult to balance with busy lives.”

They have both been completing in triathlon events for many years but this is the first time they have achieved GB Age Group qualification.

The Great Britain Age-Group competition offers all Home Nation members a unique opportunity to compete at international level. 

The husband and wife duo are completely self-funded and will have to pay for their own travel, bike transport, accommodation, GB strip and entry fees.

If anyone would like to sponsor them, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mikeandchrissietoworlds