MUM and daughter Diane and Leanne Hier are celebrating after both qualified for the XTERRA World Championships in Hawaii.

The Upton Scudamore athletes are no strangers to triathlons having represented Great Britain on many occasions including at the ITU World Triathlon Championships in New Zealand two years ago.

However, the challenge awaiting them this time is slightly different.

As in a typical triathlon there are three elements including swimming, cycling and running, but XTERRA features more extreme versions including rough water swimming, mountain biking and cross country running.

To add to that, they will also have to overcome the heat and humidity when they take to the course in Kapalua, Maui, on Sunday, October 26.

“It is really good to be doing it with my mum,” said Leanne, 32.

“It is going to be an amazing experience but we don’t really know what to expect and how we will react to the conditions.

“This is the main event with more than 800 people competing from all over the world so it will be tough.”

Leanne, who races for Frome Triathlon Club, and mum Diane, who races for Avon Valley Triathletes, both qualified at the XTERRA England event last month in Surrey by both finishing in the top two of their age categories.

Leanne came in 90th overall with a time of 2 hours 54 minutes, while Diane, 52, was 145th overall with a time of 3 hours eight minutes.

The pair, who are both sponsored by DB Max, will be competing in separate age categories at the event with Leanne lining up for the 30-34 bracket and Diane in the 50-54 bracket.

“It was really tough to qualify,” said Leanne.

“The mountain biking in particular I found tough because there was no let up and it was a technical and challenging course.

“Then that was followed by the run, which was pretty gruelling, and the course had ditches that were six feet across and we were jumping over tree stumps.

“One of the biggest challenges will be the humidity in Hawaii, so we are training at the moment with lots of layers on to try and get used to it.

“I have no idea how we will do but it is going to be tough with the heat but we will go and enjoy the experience.”

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