A mum of two ran, swam and cycled her way to a silver medal at an international competition.

Tanya Brightwell, 40, from Greenhithe, came second in the women’s sprint distance triathlon, at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final.

The IT manager, competing in the 40-44 age group was cheered on by her husband John, stepson Edward and friends as she crossed the finish line.

The endurance contest took in a 750-metre swim, followed by a 20k cycle ride and a 5k run to finish.

Mrs Brightwell, of Hedge Place Road, had to finish in the top four of three qualifying rounds to make it to the final, held in Hyde Park, London.

She said: “It was just extreme happiness really. I think I finished with the biggest smile of my life.

“It was a lot of relief as well for all the work I did in the winter months

“Last year I finished fourth so I was really relieved to finish on the podium this year.”

The triathlete from the Dartford and White Oak Triathlon Club, has set her sights on competing in her next event.

She said: “I’m qualified for the European Championships and I’m going to try to do something a bit longer as well, like half an iron man next year.”