RODGER Wilkins has capped off a memorable year be winning a bronze medal at the World Triathlon Age-Group Championships.

Blackburn-born Wilkins clinched third place to go with the bronze medal he won at the European Championships in July.

“It’s been a brilliant year for me,” said the 35-year-old. “To be honest I went there looking to win but I have to be pleased with my bronze medal.

“I went there in as good as shape as I have every been and I was very optimistic I could perform well.

“I was delighted with my bronze medal in the European Championships in Ireland but the field was not as strong as it was in Hungary.

“So to win another bronze medal was really pleasing.”

Wilkins, competing in the 35-39 year category, only clinched a place on the podium after running in to third place just 500m from the line to clock 1 hr 51 mins 44 secs.

The former semi professional footballer, who played for Great Harwood and Accrin-gton Stanley, finishing the swim, a 1500m course on the Danube, in 25th place in 21 minutes 38 seconds - some three minutes behind the race leader.

It left him with a lot to do but Wilkins, who is a founder member of Triclan Triathlon Club, worked his way through the field thanks to fantastic efforts on the bike and, in particular, the run where he was third fastest on the day against some specialist runners.

He put himself back in to contention on the bike, climbing up to ninth place, havi-ng finished the 40k ride in 50.17mins.

“I had a strong bike leg on a technical course which brought me back up to ninth going on to the run.

“I was feeling as good as I could have hoped for at that stage and I built in to the run and managed to get third place when a caught up the man in front of me just 500m from the finishing.”

Wilkins run of 35.47mins was the third quickest of the day.

Fellow GB runner Chris Stuart was first with American Sami Inkinen ahead of Wilkins in second place in a field of 124 athletes from 21 countries.

Despite the medals, Wilkins admitted he was disappointed not to have been first GB athlete home.

“I went to Hungary with three plans. One was to be first Great Britain athlete, to win or to win a medal.

“So while I got my medal, I was disappointed not to have been the first Brit to finish.”

Wilkins, who said he may take some time out from the spot, said he will work hard on improving on his swimmer.

“Like the majority triathletes, swimming is my weakest discipline.

“I gave Chris three minutes after the swim and while I clawed it back in both the bike and run it wasn’t enough.

“It is something I will be working on but for now, I am planning to take a bit of a break.

“I love the sport but my body has taken a bit of a battering over the last 12 months.”

l Anyone interested in finding out more about Rodger Wilkins’ Triclan Triathlon Club should log on to www.triclan.co.uk