28 year old Alison Pringle from Crossmichael is a dedicated multisport athlete and member of the British Age Group Triathlon Team, representing the UK on the international stage.
Aquabike is a multisport event that combines swimming and cycling. While it includes one discipline less than a typical triathlon, it is by no means less demanding.
Alison balances her full-time career as an NHS Podiatrist with an intensive training schedule, committing 10 to 14 hours each week to her athletic development. Since discovering triathlon in 2023 on the recommendation of a friend, Alison has poured her energy and passion into the sport. Recently beginning with a coach specialising in multiport and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to improvement, she has achieved national success across multiple disciplines, including Swimming, Aquabike, and Triathlon.
What began as a personal challenge has become a life-changing pursuit. Competing in multisport events has not only tested Alison’s physical limits but also revealed her inner drive and resilience. In the past two years, she has earned medals at Scottish, English, and British Masters swimming championships and currently has multiple top 5 rankings in the UK across a range of events in her age group.
She proudly represented Team GB at the 2024 World Sprint Triathlon Championships, her 1st foray into international competition, and will do so again at the 2025 Aquabike World Championships in Wollongong, Australia. From coming back into swimming 4 years ago to standing on national podiums, Alison’s journey is defined by determination, discipline, and the belief that with the right support, anything is possible.
Alison Said “The journey to qualifying for the World Championships didn’t happen overnight. As a former junior swimmer, I stepped away from the sport for five years while studying at university and settling into work life. When the Covid pandemic began, I took up open water swimming with the local group in Crossmichael, and later joined the Masters Club at Dumfries Amateur Swimming Club. I started competing in the water again in 2023 and quickly rediscovered my love for the sport. A good friend then encouraged me to try triathlon—and, as they say, the rest is history!
Choosing to pursue multisport events hasn’t been easy. It involves long days and often multiple training sessions, all fitted around full-time work. It’s taken a lot of commitment and self-discipline to get to where I am today—though I will admit that summer training is far easier than training through the winter!
2024 marked my first attempt at Aquabike, and I entered one of the three British Age Group Qualifiers. This turned out to be a great decision, as I managed to finish 2nd and secured one of the sought-after qualification slots.
Representing GB—and Crossmichael—on the global stage is a tremendous honour. However, being part of the Age Group team also comes with challenges. Athletes are expected to fully self-fund their participation, including travel, accommodation, kit, and race costs. Because of this, the Crossmichael community has come together to support me by helping to organise several fundraising events to make this opportunity possible. I have been kindly supported by the Stewartry Sports Council who are helping make getting to this event possible. I am also seeking sponsorship from local companies at this stage.”
If You would like to help suppport Alison on her journey, you can donate by clicking HERE
Alison would like to thank every one who has donated so far, and thank you to anyone for amy future donations whatever size.
