West Sussex sisters savour success on two wheels

The 11-year-old pupil of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Bognor, powered up the three-mile hill in 13min 24sec.

Her time was good enough to win the under-12 south east regional championship which was incorporated into the event.

Bethany still has another year in this age category and will be looking to take the national title next year, having won the under-ten national and regional titles in 2010.

Bethany is unfazed by hills. At the international north west tour in May, a cycle event involving more than 350 youth riders based around Blackpool, Lancaster and Preston, she won the coveted leaders’ jersey following a spectacular hill climb prologue, again beating both boys and girls in the under-12 age category.

“I just love hills,” she said. “There’s something really cool about pushing hard and that great feeling when it hurts, but you’ve done it.”

Bethany, who lives in Rustington, will go to The Angmering School in September and is looking forward to making use of its sports facilities.

Before that, she has the National Circuit Championships in Bradford at the end of July to look forward to and this weekend takes part in the Chichester junior aquathon.

Her sister Megan (14), who attends St Philip Howard Catholic High School, has herself been having some podium placings in the Sussex League track championships.