Triathlete and swimmer, Katie Henderson tragically died in a road traffic accident last Friday at the age of 33. She was a member of the Great Britain Paratriathlon development squad as a potential guide for visually impaired paratriathletes.

As a swimmer Katie set numerous world, European and national masters records. Even just a month after winning Ironman 70.30 World Championship bronze last September she returned to the pool to win eight medals at the ASA Masters Championships in Sheffield.

Katie won numerous Age-Group races, took part in the elite British Triathlon Super Series and won an ITU World Age Group medal in Beijing in 2011. Her switch to middle distance racing saw more success. Last year she qualified for and won a medal at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Quebec.

Last December Katie was selected as one of four guides for visually impaired triathletes training for the Paralympic Games. She was part of British Triathlon’s development squad and joined the team at the winter training camp in Lanzarote in January. She was part of a sponsored triathlon squad and recognised as one of the best swimmers in the sport. Her perseverance, hard work and positive attitude made more success inevitable.

Katie was an inspiration to many, and her death is a tragic loss. British Triathlon would like to extend its condolences to her family and friends.

A Just GIving page has been set up in Katie's memory, this can be viewed HERE and is raising money to help inspire others to try triathlon.

*Picture by James Mitchell. Katie in orange vest, training in Lanzarote.