BU graduate is World Champion Duathlete

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A former BU student has raced to victory with a gold medal display at the Duathlon World Championships.

James Coleman, 28, landed the gold medal for Team GB’s 25-29 year-old category in Ottawa, Canada having only taken up running in 2007 when his internship required him to sprint to the post box to deliver mail.

James studied BA Public Relations at Bournemouth University, graduating in 2007, and partly credits the success to finding his running legs at University through ‘daily runs on the beach’.

His degree has also been well used; when James is not competing or practicing he heads up the sales team at National News PR Specialists 72 Point.

On winning his gold medal, James said, “To win a medal is amazing. I was thinking if I made the top ten I would have been happy.  I am over the moon. Everything came together at the right time.”

A duathlon is a race that includes two disciplines, typically running and cycling, and James explained how he was keen to take his competing one step further, “Now I may take up swimming and see what I can do in the triathlon event.”

The former BU student was also on hand to offer advice to budding BU students who may be want to consider following in his (running) shoes, “It’s amazing what you can do if you find something you’re good at and fine tune it to then become the best in the world. With a support team, encouragement, training, dedication and sheer determination and belief, then most goals are achievable!”