A STUDENT at the University of Worcester has completed a triathlon after shedding four-and-a-half stone in less than six months.

Claire Tillyer, known as Tilly, has dropped three dress sizes – from a 16 to a 10 – since April and earlier this month came 53rd out of 192 competitors at the Stratford Fun2Tri event.

She signed up for the event in July and embarked on a rigorous training and eating plan. “I had always been overweight,” said the 26-year-old. “But in April this year, something just clicked and I decided I had to do something. I started a diet and knew I had to exercise as well. So I started doing some swimming and running, and started going to spinning classes, and then in July I entered myself into the triathlon as a goal.

“I’m a determined person and I hate not completing things, so I knew I would push myself to train and finish the triathlon.” Miss Tillyer completed the triathlon, which involved a 400m swim, 23km cycle and 5km run, in one hour, 27 minutes and one second, earlier this month, raising almost £300 for the NSPCC in the process.

“It was really hard and I felt sick at the start,” she said. “But I’m so proud of myself for completing it. I have now entered a full triathlon next year so I’m continuing with my training.”

The Phd student in the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit at the University of Worcester has dropped from 14 stone 4lb to 9 stone 11lb. “I train six times a week now, whether running, spinning or swimming,” she said. “I can’t get enough of it now. When I look back at the way I was, it’s like looking at a different person. I’m so happy now.”