Nessie Business: Lindsy's monster triathlon challenge covering 1,055km in seven days

As a seasoned athlete, Lindsy James doesn't hang around.

The former three-time age-group duathlon world champion is renowned for covering plenty of ground in her various sporting endeavours.

But she'll have every reason to be quicker than ever in her next gruelling, week-long assignment...as she'll be sharing a lake with none other than the Loch Ness Monster!

Laughton-en-le-Morthen-born Lindsy, 48, will be swimming alongside the legendary Nessie in June 2027, as part of a 'Monster Triathlon' covering more than 1,055km in seven days.

The epic journey begins with a 5km open-water swim in Loch Ness, followed by a 1,000km cycle and a 50km ultramarathon into London.

The 1,055k figure is symbolic.

It represents how far young people experiencing significant mental health difficulties in the UK would stretch if they stood shoulder to shoulder.

And that is an area close to the heart of former Dinnington High school pupil Lindsy, founder of Active Fusion, a South Yorkshire charity that helps children and young people develop a lifelong love of physical activity.

Her ambition is to raise £100,055 to "create life-changing programmes" in the local community.

There is no shortage of youngsters facing mental health challenges, low confidence and family difficulties in Rotherham and beyond – and that is why she's putting herself through the athletic ordeal next summer.

"I am doing this to inspire kids to be the best they can be, no matter what circumstances they find themselves in," she explains.

"The idea is to show young people that they do have limitless potential and that they can overcome hard times to achieve incredible things."

As for the stamina-sapping task itself, Lindsy might not harbour any real-life fear of the Loch Ness Monster, but she has long-standing anxiety about drowning and thoroughly dislikes open-water swimming.

"My biggest worry is the coldness, even in June, it will only be a few degrees (above freezing.)

"It is a beautiful place but open water swimming has always been difficult for me, I can get panicky unless the water is still and shallow.

"It's not bad when I swim at Lake Y (in Auckley, Doncaster,) - but even when it is 15 degrees there I feel like I have got hypothermia, it is awful! Extreme temperatures are just not for me.

"At least the Loch Ness Monster will help me swim faster and get out quicker!"

Ironically, Lindsy has warm memories of the Loch Ness phenomenon when she was growing up.

"I remember seeing the black and white grainy image and watching documentaries on it.

"I watched The Nessies' cartoon too!"

But any affection for aquatic life didn't follow her into adulthood.

"I can't stand fish. I don't even like being near the carp in Manvers Lake!"

Lindsay, who is married to Owen with a son Archie, 11, and lives near the Rotherham-Doncaster border, said she would have to use mental techniques to reassure herself that she could cope with the lake swim and the cycling stage that follows on day one.

While she is an established athlete, the former Kimberworth Strider hasn't been in a competitive international race for two some time

"This challenge is onerous - more severe than anything else I have done times 10.

"I am injury and illness-prone and my biomechanics don't lend themselves to endurance sport. But other people have overcome bigger and harder things. I will just enjoy the finish line and the pub afterwards..."