Duathlon: Young son's pep talk inspires triple world champion Lindsy James to gold medal victory

The former Laughton All Saints primary and Dinnington High school pupil was struggling in the most gruelling duathlon competition she’d ever taken part in when her seven-year-old sprung to mind.

Archie’s previous words of encouragement stirred her into an amazing third, world championship gold medal, under the boiling Spanish sun.

Husband Owen was similarly successful in the Ibiza running and biking tournament — he won gold in the men’s race, both in the aged category of 44-49.

It was his second world title in a sports bracket dominated by British competitors.

Lindsy (44) explained: “It was one of the hardest races of my life.

“I went out hard on the run and came into transition second about 40 seconds down on a Canadian (Caroline Longchamp).

“I caught her on lap one on the bike and by the third lap I had 90 seconds on her.

“On the last run, my vision was going and my legs were buckling.

“They were super-hot conditions but I focused on Archie telling me to think of him when I’m hurting.”

Archie’s support proved critical and Lindsy romped home in first place.

“I am a triple world champion and can’t quite believe it as it was a stacked field,” she said.

“I thank everyone for their support. Anything is possible!”

The golden couple, who live in Tickhill and have previously represented Kimberworth Striders, were stars of the show in the Santa Eularia tournament, which featured 3,000 athletes from 62 countries across all events.

Lindsy, an advocate of positive physical health and mental well-being, has been a disciplined athlete for some time.

Only nine months after giving birth, she set the then Guinness world wecord for the fastest half-marathon pushing a pram with Archie inside, stopping the clock in one hour 27 minutes 34 seconds.

Yet, she says she does not regard herself as totally inspired by sport.

“I actually wouldn’t call myself motivated,” she said.

When my body clock wakes up at 5.30am — I don’t use an alarm — I can count on no fingers the amount of times I have jumped out of bed and thought: ‘Yes, let’s nail this training session!’

“I lie there procrastinating for a while and pour caffeine down my neck in the hope that it will switch my body and mind on in an instant.

“An hour or two later I’m bursting back through the door panting but pleased I didn’t falter.

I have repeated this behaviour for about 25 years, six days a week.”