A GREAT Sankey man suffering from a serious spinal injury, defied his fear of water to learn to swim and compete in triathlons within eight months, has been crowned an inspiration to others.

Forty-eight-year-old Chris Smith, of Park Road, was diagnosed with spondylosis in 2001 that meant the former marathon runner had to hang up his running shoes.

The severe form of arthitis, which affected his neck, back, shoulders, elbows and hands, saw him develop a sedentary lifestyle where he gained more than four-and-a-half stone in weight.

But in 2007, the HR manager for Royal Mail took up yoga after being inspired by a woman with a similar condition who had transformed her life.

Within months he had strengthened his core back muscles sufficiently to start running again.

He said: “The first time I tried I had to turn back after 30 yards but I tried again two days later and got a bit further and before long I was running nine miles and more.

“In 18 weeks I lost 54 pounds and returned to my original weight. In 2008, The Times featured my slimming story and out of the monthly stories featured, 54,000 readers voted mine the most inspirational of the year. It was amazing.”

Crowned The Times health champion Chris decided to tackle his life-long phobia of water and last July took up swimming lessons at Penketh Swimming Pool.

“I arrived for my first lesson 45 minutes early and I drove out of the car park three times. I was shaking,” he said.

But by last August Chris had swam a mile and decided to enter the London Triathlon – the UK’s largest of its kind – where he was faced with a quarter of a mile swim in the Thames, a three-mile run and 12.4 mile bike race.

Despite being stung by a jellyfish, Chris finished second in his category out of 150 competitors.

Sporting magazine Triathlon Plus ran a feature this month on the Great Sankey athlete naming him an inspiration to others.

Chris said: “I don’t think I’ve done anything inspirational but I am proud of a couple of things – I never thought I would conquer my fear of water and learn to swim.

“I can’t do anything about my spinal condition but I could have avoided water all my life.”

He now plans to enter the Los Angeles triathlon next year and is considering entering an Iron Man contest.

Pictured: Chris in the Lond and Stretford triathlons