Faye McClelland Print this profile

World and European Champion

Faye McClelland
Name Faye McClelland
Sex

Female

DOB 03 Nov 1979 (age 32)
Hometown Eastbourne
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Bio...

World Champion, Faye, is originally from Ruislip, Middlesex, and is now coached by Glenn Cook in Eastbourne. She has won the TRI4 event at Hyde Park in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and is the current World and European Champion. The 2009 event in Hyde Park was her first Paratriathlon. She had competed in able-bodied events previous to that, having taken up the sport only recently.

 

Coach: Glenn Cook

Club(s): I train with the Bodyworks XTC team based in Eastbourne at the University of Brighton. The club is one of the UK performance centres for Triathlon. Bodyworks caters for a variety of abilities from absolute beginners to international Elite Triathletes. 2012 Olympic contender Todd Leckie is based here alongside professional Ironman competitor Yvette Grice. There are also many talented age group triathletes and youngsters. Former Triathletes on the Elite circuit have included Olly Freeman and Sophie Coleman.   

Education: Currently completing a degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Brighton.

 

Do you come from a sporting family?

No, my family are not sporty in the competitive sense, however they have always been very active and love the great outdoors.  I have grown up doing much walking, hiking and recreational sea and lake swimming.

Tell us a bit about your disability:

I was born without my left hand, I have a wrist but my fingers never developed.

What is your best strength in triathlon?

I am definiatetly not a master at any three of the disciplines but a bit of an all rounder! However I feel I have a little more strengh in cycling over the swim and run.  

How did you get into triathlon? 

It was in 2003 when working as a Fitness Instructor I first heard of the sport. I was interested in participating but couldn't swim front crawl very confidently so I took part in a team relay sprint event with work colleages and completed the run section only. It gave me such a buzz that I decided to get some swimming lessons under my belt and the following year I competed in my first sprint triathlon. Proceeding this, I took part in a series of recreational triathlons as I enjoyed the challenge & it keept me fit. In 2009, after returning from a years travelling over seas, I first heard about Paratriathlon and the prospects of a GB Paratriathlon Team forming. This was a real insentive to get fit again and so that summer I took part in my first Paratriathlon race at the Rother Valley British Paratriathlon Championships. I have been competing in Paratriathlon ever since.

 What is your best achievement to date?

Being crowned World Paratriathlon Champion in Bubapest in 2010 and then in Beijing 2011.

What's you're sports background?
I didn't come from a competitive sports background. However, I've always enjoyed many active hobbies growing up, including gymnastics, dance, swimming, ice skating and sea ranging to name just a few.

Do you have a role model in sport, if so who and why?
It's hard to say, as there are many inspirational athletes that I look up to, including my fellow Paratriathletes.  However, if I had to choose one, it would be Tanni Grey-Thompson. She has persistently shown sheer determination and self belief to triumph in five Paralympic games, not forgetting repeatedly winning the wheelchair London Marathon a total of six times.

What is your ultimate goal in triathlon and beyond?

I would absolutely love the opportunity to take part in the Rio Paralympics in 2016. That is the ultimate goal!

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