A WEST Dorset athlete will celebrate her 60th birthday by testing herself in the 'ultimate endurance challenge'.

Barbara Hackworthy will tackle Challenge Weymouth, an ironman distance triathlon next weekend (13) to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare.

The Burton Bradstock resident will join 1,500 athletes from all over Europe who will be taking part in the event on Sunday, September 13.

The event will start with a two-lap 2.1 mile swim in Weymouth Bay, before the athletes embark on a gruelling 112-mile bike route through the rolling Dorset countryside.

If that isn't enough, the competitors will then tackle a full marathon in front of friends, family and supporters lining the route in Weymouth.

"It will be a fantastic end to a truly spectacular event," said Barbara. "I expect to be on my knees by the end of the marathon.

"Just running a marathon alone is hard enough without a 2.2 mile swim and 112 mile bike ride beforehand – all against the clock.

"Just ten weeks before I reach 60 years of age, I will take on what is for me the ultimate endurance challenge - a full ironman distance triathlon."

Athletes will have 16 hours to complete the daunting challenge.

Barbara has competed in a host of testing events in the past, and is motivated by raising vital funding for Weldmar.

"I am raising money for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust which is a local independent charity working in Dorset," she said.

"All their services are provided free of charge and 75 percent of funds needed are raised locally. The rest is given by the NHS.

"They are the only agency providing specialist palliative care in north, south and west Dorset."

Barbara added: "I have been an endurance athlete of sorts for most of my adult life.

"I have cycled a long way, run a few marathons, done some long distance swimming and done lots of long walks.

"I have been training all year in and around west Dorset and hope that I will be able to complete the three disciplines inside the cut off time."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Barbara and donate to the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust can do so by visiting justgiving.com/Barbara-Hackworthy