INSPIRATIONAL triathlete Brian Grierson has added yet another medal to his collection.

The Rownhams-based 78-year-old has been a regular podium finisher over the years – a marvellous feat in itself.

But what makes his achievements extra special is that he has been battling prostate cancer for well over a decade.

Grierson was up bright and early for his latest challenge, the English Triathlon Championships at Thorpe Park, which got off to a 7am start.

One 750-metre open water swim, one 20-kilometre bike ride and one 5-kilometre run later, he emerged with a silver medal, clinching qualification for next year’s World Sprint Triathlon Championships.

Before that, Grierson has another big international date coming up this summer when he heads to Strathclyde Country Park, Glasgow for August’s European Championships, having qualified with a third-place finish in Nottingham.

He will be looking to equal or better the European silver medal he previously picked up in Spain.

The sprightly septuagenarian, who credits Southampton General Hospital with keeping him going, will be putting in lots of kilometres between now and August in preparation for the big event.

He goes to Eastleigh Lakes for open water swimming and is a member of the Sotonia Cycling Club and Lordshill Road Runners.