Stoke's Unsung Heroes #2: Dave Juggins

Dave scooped the gold medal in the Sprint Distance Biathlon at the European Championships in Portugal this summer. At 75, he can run 5k in 21 minutes.

Dave beat Norwegian favourite Hjalmar Schiotz to the gold medal

• Where do you live and why do you love it?
  In the Westlands, Newcastle. We've been here for 41 years. It's a rural setting with easy access to town, bus and motorway routes. Just like living in a central park really.
  

• Congratulations on gold at the Sprint Distance Duathlon at the European Triathlon Multisport Championships. How are you feeling about it all now?
  I think it’s amazing and never thought I’d reach this level. Now European Champion in the Age Group 75-79! How cool is that for a chap from Stoke?!

Dave cycles 100 miles a week and is an inspiration to us all!

• You run with Trentham Running Club and cycle with Lyme Racing Club. Tell us about your experiences of these two clubs.
  I’ve been running since I was 12 and have competed at local levels with Trentham Running Club (Newcastle 10k, Dales Dash and so on then Potteries Marathons and the London Marathon all in the early ‘80s). Trentham are a very active club and have supported me in my training and preparation for the GB international events in 2023 and earlier this year. I ride regularly with Lyme Racing Club, covering approximately 100 miles a week. Long rides on a Sunday include the annual charity ride to Llangollen (110 miles in aid of the Dougie Mac hospice) with week-long training sessions in Majorca around April-May every year.

On the podium at the European Triathlon Multisport Championships in Portugal

• What do you like to do in Stoke when you’re not out running or cycling?
  I like going to the New Vic and Regent Theatre and exploring the city’s wonderful historical heritage, which is all around us here in Stoke.
  

• Who's your favourite sportsperson from the region and why?
  Bryan Dale is a race photographer and does wonders for the local running community. He takes photos of every athlete in almost every race held locally and has done for years, prints the results and uploads the photos online for free. He was an accomplished GB athlete in the past (he’s now in his late 70s) and an inspiration to me and all the runners who see themselves through Bryan's lens every race they enter. A truly amazing and selfless man.

Dave also won a bronze medal at last year’s World Championships in Ibiza

• What's your training regime like and do you have any tips for readers on how to get fit?
  I cycle three times a week (100 miles) and run three times a week (20 miles) with one day rest. I’m fortunate in being retired gives me that opportunity but four to five times a week for a 30-minute session should be the aim for most people who want to get fitter. Consistency is the best tip – little and often. Regular sessions at whatever level people are comfortable with will build and maintain fitness. Our local Park Runs are a fantastic way to get involved in a fitness regime with like-minded people of a similar standard.
  

• What's next for you over the next few months?

  I have local Sprint Duathlons planned in October and November and then the GB Internationals for Europe (April 2025 in Poland) followed by the World Championships in Spain in June 2025.

Do you want to nominate someone for The Knot’s ‘Stoke’s Unsung Heroes’ column? We’d love to hear from you! Email james@theknot.group with your suggestions