https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/paratriathlon-charlotte-ellis-best-world-3693862
Paratriathlon: Charlotte Ellis is best in world
TOP paratriathlete Charlotte Ellis today spoke of her pride after adding back-to-back world titles to her second European Championship win in a row.
13/05/13
TOP paratriathlete Charlotte Ellis today spoke of her pride after adding back-to-back world titles to her second European Championship win in a row.
TOP paratriathlete Charlotte Ellis today spoke of her pride after adding back-to-back world titles to her second European Championship win in a row.
The 27-year-old from New Marske completed her awesome foursome with a clear victory in Beijing, China to cement her status as the best Tri Six performer on the planet.
“I haven’t stopped smiling,” said Charlotte, who only took up triathlon in 2008 for a new challenge.
If you had told me before both Europeans and Worlds that I would win all four, I still wouldn’t have expected it.
“There are so many people who help me – my race guide Jenny Manners, friends, family and coaches and even the people who provide me with assistance at airports.
I’m really pleased because I didn’t know what to expect.
“I was carrying a ligament injury in my right foot which ruled me out of the World Cup event in Hyde Park beforehand, but it didn’t cause me any problems during or after the race.”
Charlotte, who is partially-sighted, beat GB team-mate Sara Butler into second place by two minutes, with Patricia Walsh of the USA third, thanks to some training enhancement for the cycling section provided by the Beijing wildlife.
She said: “The bike course was quite hilly and technical and when we rode it the day before some wild dogs chased us, which certainly helped us pedal faster!”
The New Marske Harrier and Cleveland Tri Club member had planned to go for her fifth major gold medal on the spin at last weekend’s World Paraduathlon Championships in Gijon, Spain but eventually opted against entering.
“Because of my injury, I only started to run and cycle again in August so didn’t want to push it too far,” she said.
“That was one of the reasons I didn’t do the Paraduathlon in Spain, along with the logistical issue of getting the bike there.
“One of the British lads’ bikes arrived, but one didn’t.”
Instead, Charlotte will focus on going for a hat-trick of European and World Championship victories next year – and the 2016 Paralympics in the long run.
I’m now looking to build again for next season – the Europeans are in Israel in April and the World Championships are in New Zealand in October,” she explained.
“I don’t know if I will be able to keep up my record or who will and won’t be competing yet, but that’s my aim.
“Triathlon isn’t in the Paralympics until 2016, which is a bit of a shame.
https://www.runforall.com/community/people-stories/charlotte-s-in-the-hunt-for-more-medals
22/10/2019
Born partially sighted and by her own admission “not particularly good at sport,” Charlotte Ellis could hardly imagine growing up to win international sporting honours.
But as a student at York University she took up running and hasn’t looked back since.
Charlotte, 35, who lives in Redcar and is a member of New Marske Harriers, has represented Great Britain with distinction winning a string of medals at various paratriathlon championships.
She also represented her country at this year’s IPC World Para Athletics Marathon Championships, finishing a highly creditable seventh.
Charlotte will be back at her alma mater on Sunday 20th October with her guide, Jason Rippingale, for the Asda Foundation Yorkshire Marathon.
She said: “I started running with one of my house mates and found more guides while I was at university, completing races up to half marathon. I continued running after uni because I love it.
“In 2008 I was part of a group of visually impaired people who all completed the London Triathlon for charity and to raise the profile of visually impaired people doing sport. I never dreamed what this was going to lead to.
“I was asked a few months later if I would like to join the Great Britain disability triathlon team. In 2010 I went to my first European Paratriathlon Championships where we won gold. We then took silver at the World Paraduathlon Championships and gold at the World Paratriathlon Championships later that year.”
he World and European Paratriathlon golds were replicated in 2011 and there was more medal success over the following two years.
Charlotte said: “I made the difficult decision at the end of 2013 to retire from paratriathlon and focus on my running. However, a non-running accident in 2014 caused a serious injury. In 2015 I ran my first marathon but injuries and circumstances limited my performance until my breakthrough at the Manchester Marathon in 2018.
“This led to me being selected to represent Great Britain at the IPC World Para Athletics Marathon Championships in 2019, which were held at the London Marathon. This was a dream for me. I finished 7th with a pb, but cramp at 23 miles had slowed me down when I was battling for 6th.
“I am excited to keep trying to improve, aiming to represent Great Britain again and hopefully compete for medals in the future.”
Keith Morris, Head of Sport at the University of York said: “Charlotte’s story is hugely inspiring and humbling. It demonstrates the hugely positive impacts of engagement in sport throughout her life and the fact that sports clubs and friendships formed while at the Uni of York is something we are proud to have played a part in. However, her achievements and recognition for them are all hers and we look forward to welcoming her back on campus for this year’s Yorkshire Marathon.”
2025 Great North Run -1st Visually Impaired Finisher
Charlotte has been 1st Visually Impaired finisher at the Great North Run on a number of occasions.
With the help of many friends who guide her, Charlotte is able to compete in lots of events throughout the year.
In 2025 New Marske Harriers arranged and hosted a Sight Loss Awareness and Guide Running Workshop.