TROWBRIDGE triathlete Rachel Bown is celebrating the most meaningful swim, cycle and run she’s ever completed after battling back from a life-threatening brain tumour.

Days after finishing fifth in her age group at the European Triathlon Championships in Kitzbühel, Austria, last June, the 44-year-old was diagnosed with a benign tumour and following surgery in January this year, Bown came close to losing her life after contracting an infection during the procedure.

But the Trowbridge athlete, who is a PE teacher at Larkrise Special School, has defied the odds by slipping back into her race suit and was back in action at Bank Holiday Monday’s Big T Triathlon.

And with her Austrian performance sealing a place at this July’s Europeans in Geneva, Bown has every intention of taking her place in the 45-49 age group.

“In Kitzbühel, I had to sprint for the final kilometre to finish as the third-fastest GB finisher and it was the hardest kilometre I’ve ever done,” said Bown.

“When I got back home, I was getting headaches and having trouble with my vision. I went over to hospital in Bath and then I got the news that I had a brain tumour.

“It’s not a part of your body that you can do without, like your arm or your leg. Apart from cancer, it’s the worst thing that can happen to you.

“I was told that I might not walk again and that my Carotid artery (that supply the head and neck with oxygenated blood) was a third of the size it should be.

“I had a second op in January and it was then that I caught a massive infection. I gradually got worse and worse and my partner Tim (Peace) had to carry me to the hospital.

“I was told that I nearly died and the only reason I pulled through is because I was so fit. I lost the vision in my right eye – I’ve only get 10 per cent of my sight left.

“I’m not 100 per cent now but the doctors say that they can’t believe how quickly I’ve recovered.

“I qualified for those Europeans and it might be the last time I ever wear my GB suit so I’m bloody well going to wear it.”

She added: “I’m obviously nowhere near as fit as I was but I’ve been told that there’s no risk to my health from competing again – if there was, I’d find something else to do with my life.

“When I was diagnosed, I went straight to school because it was where I felt safe and everyone there was amazing. The parents were so supportive too.

“Now that I’m partially-sighted, I may look to go down the para route. I honestly have to say that I’m now the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Bown completed the Big T sprint distance race, organised by Hot Chilli tri club, in 01:33:29.

Around 250 adults took on the 600m swim, 45km bike ride and 10km run long course or 400m swim, 23km bike and 5km run short course race, Trowbridge mayor Giles Bridges sounding the starting whistle.

Frome Tri club’s Paul Ryman (1:58:09) won the long course race, with Elizabeth Richardson (Edinburgh) the fastest female in 2:19:43 whilst Plymouth’s Steve Ferguson (1:06:48) won the sprint race, with Joanne Bousfield (Frome, 1:25:37) the fastest lady.

Hot Chilli Chairman Martin Disney said: "We have been bowled over by the success of this year's Big T.

"Last year was our first time and we knew we had put on a great event and this year we have built on that with a bigger field and a slightly improved course. Plans are already in place for next year.”