A FORMER rugby league player who was told his running days were over after a bike crash is preparing to compete for Great Britain in the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final.

Steve Griffiths, who broke his neck three years ago, says he is humbled to be representing his country on the Gold Coast in Australia next Thursday in the 50-54 age group.

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Training and competing has never left him, after a rugby career that included three years as a professional at Salford Red Devils while the ex-scrum half also lined up alongside the likes of Iestyn Harris, Mike Wainwright and Jon Roper in the Wire A team that won the Alliance Championship in 1993-94.

Warrington Guardian:

Steve Griffiths, fourth Wire player stood from the right, celebrating reserve team championship success in 1993-94

“It’s going to be a privilege to wear my national race kit of Great Britain and an honour to do so and represent my nation, home town and my family,” said the 53-year-old, a medical manufacturer who specialises in the peripheral vascular field.

“Considering I was lay on the road three years ago with two broken vertebrae at C2 and C3 and two bulging discs after a collision with a motor vehicle I can’t believe that I will be on the start line with the best of my age-group athletes competing here on the Gold Coast which has been my home since 2007.

Warrington Guardian:

In training at Surfers Paradise

“The surgeons said ‘no more running and no more cycling’ for me.

“I still have that very competitive attitude which was part of my character back in my rugby league days at Warrington and Salford as a young fella and this will be up there alongside pulling on my hometown Warrington jersey in 1992.”

The father of two, who attended Bruche Primary and Woolston High schools, will be contesting the sprint triathlon, a 750m swim, 20km on the bike and 5km run, though he has tackled much greater distances – including 70.3 miles of racing in the Cairns IronMan in June.

His training venues include a salt water lake in Surfers Paradise.

“I’ve been training really hard and focused on this short race version of triathlon,” said the ex-Woolston Rovers youth.

“I prefer this fast, punchier style of racing and I am hoping to get around in 1hr 10mins.

“I am realistic that the best in the world at all age groups will be here and I know I won’t make the podium unless 91 of the other athletes in my race get eaten by the sharks that lurk around in these tidal waters.

“Swimming is my weak leg, but I am hoping to pull some time back on the bike and run.

“In that last 1km of the run I am hoping I can have a great foot race with a few from around the world. With Australia, the USA, Canada, Germany, France South Africa, NZ and more it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give it my all on that one day for that one hour.”

Sharks will not be the only concern during the swim.

“Entering the ocean knowing salt water crocodiles roam freely and box jellyfish and tiger sharks roam can be quite daunting, but once you are in the water and being whacked by many other triathletes you don’t give it a thought,” he said.

Griffiths, who was an apprentice mechanical design draughtsman at UKAEA from 1981 to 1985, is revelling in the Aussie outdoors lifestyle.

“I have a wonderful life here, living on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“We can be at the beach in a morning, walking in tropical rain forests in the afternoon and then sitting on our back yard fishing off our pontoon with a glass of wine.”

He added: “I live with my partner of nine years and fiancée Lily who is my biggest fan, kit lady, cheer leader, dietician, photographer and critique all rolled into one.

“Because we don’t have day light savings in Queensland we have to train very early.

“My alarm gets me up at 4.45am and I meet the training gang for some hard bike and run sessions all before work.

“I am a medical manufacturer and I specialise in the peripheral vascular field of medicine supporting vascular surgeons when helping restore blood flow in obstructed vascular systems, placing metal stents and drug coated ballon dilation.

“It’s a really rewarding job helping save feet and limbs with patients.

“I’ve been travelling back each year to spend time with my children who have their own careers now.

“My son Harvey is 18 and is in the RAF where they have turned him into a fit and healthy young man and my daughter Harriet is 23, living in Hull working in accounts for a national bathroom manufacturer.

“Ryan Shaw was a young Wire lad who is now at HKR and is the partner of my daughter.”

He told how his rugby league career almost started by accident.

“We were introduced to RL at Bruche Primary,” he said.

“I did cycling as my hobby until one fateful Sunday morning during summer back in 1981 when I was riding along Padgate Lane and saw a couple of old school mates who were off to pre-season training with Woolston Rovers.

“I rode home to Woolston, grabbed by boots and gear and ran the two miles back to Bennett’s Rec.

“I was hooked and played under 19s at 16 for three years but at 18 I had the pro clubs asking me to come and play.

“I had Oldham and then Wigan Colts approached me and while playing for Wigan A at Leigh, Salford came in and offered me a decent contract.

“Three seasons at Salford and a season at Springfield Borough came before a year in Australia playing in Queensland and also up in the Cairns League where a young Billy Slater watched as I ran in 23 tries in 9 games coached by his dad!”

It was the start of his great Aussie adventure.