SWIMMING: Elaine wins national medals in 70-74 age group - with mother checking split times

Rugby’s Elaine Bromwich competed in the ASA National Masters short course Swimming Championships in Sheffield swimming under Birmingham Master Swimming Club in the 70-74 age group. This is the 25th consecutive year that Sheffield has staged this event and Elaine has entered every year.

Her times that she achieved were all PBs except one. She managed two gold medals in 1500m freestyle in 30mins.30.31 and 4x100m mixed freestyle 280+ relay 1min.44.12. Second places came in the 800m Free in 15mins.44.18, which was her 12th and last event of the weekend. She managed to knock 46 secs off her entry time.

Other silvers came from 400m freestyle 7mins.41.48, 200mm breaststroke 4mins.41.61 and 100 breaststroke 1min.57.95. Three bronze medals came from the 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke 51.19 and 200m freestyle in 3mins.44.28. Elaine’s other two swims were in the 200m women’s freestyle 200+ relay 46.06 (5th) and 200+ medley relay (4th) doing the breast leg in 50.59.

The highlight of the weekend for Elaine was having her mother Peggy Coulthard there with her, taking her splits from the spectator gallery as she turned 95 on Sunday and they announced it to all of the swimmers at the beginning on the last session.

Peggy is a life member of Rugby Swimming Club. She acted as an official timekeeper for over 40 years and also swam in masters events when she was in her 80s.