TERMINAL cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson ran, swam and cycled her way through a Dorset triathlon and then admitted: "It was the toughest challenge I've ever done."

The inspirational mother-of-three was one of 1,750 athletes taking part in the Gatorade Half Ironman UK Triathlon at Sherborne Castle.

Jane, from Rothwell, Leeds, had started her 1.2 mile swim in the cold lake surrounding Sherborne Castle at 7am on Sunday morning (August 22).

She then went on to cycle 56 miles around the Dorset town, and then completed a difficult 13.1 mile run.

It was the second time the 40-year-old paediatric radiographer has participated in the event. Last year, she completed the gruelling challenge in six hours and 28 minutes.

This year her feat had been even tougher as she only had six weeks to train and has recently completed a course of radiotherapy.

But the difficulties didn't deter her, and as she ran to the finishing line, she was cheered by the crowds.

The 40-year-old has already completed a 2,000-mile, 36-day bike ride from Rome to Leeds earlier this summer and has also completed the London triathlon three times and the Salford triathlon.

But she admitted the Dorset event was in a totally different league.

She said: "It is phenomenally hard and the toughest challenge I have ever done but it's also one of the nicest ones.

"The course is superb and really shows off Dorset at its best.

"At seven-and-a-half hours it took me longer than I wanted but I'm delighted to have finished and I know I tried my hardest.

"I had such a good time last year that I really wanted to come back. I'm glad I did, it was a fabulous day."

The Yorkshire woman's high-profile fund-raising challenges have to date raised approximately £900,000 since she was told in 2000 that breast cancer had spread to her bones and would eventually kill her. The amount was boosted by a 36-day bike ride from Rome to Leeds earlier this summer.

Jane now aims to reach her £1m fund-raising goal by the end of this year.

She has hinted that if her health permits, she could take part in more events this year.

Her husband, Mike, 43, who watched the race with their son, Steven, seven, said: "I'm just glad she's home safe and well, it's all we can ask really. It's just astonishing."

First published: August 24