FOR most people, running a marathon would be the realisation of a lifetime ambition and the ultimate test of endurance.

But York physiotherapist Dot Wagstaff is contemplating a greater challenge after qualifying for the 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Hawaii.

Not only will the super veteran tackle a marathon on the American island, famous for its loud shirts and crashing waves, but, first, she will complete a 2.4-mile swim and a 112-mile bike race as she attempts to complete the world's most famous and toughest triathlon in less than 17 hours.

Dunnington's Wagstaff qualified for the event by finishing first in her age group at the Halfway Iroman UK in Sherborne, Dorset.

That event saw the York District Hospital physio complete cycle, bike and running stages that were half the distance of what lies in store in Hawaii next October.

She won one of 30 places available at the British trial and is one of only 1,500 successful qualifiers from 50,000 hopefuls representing more than 50 countries.

But, having never completed a full Ironman, her only target in America is to cross the finishing line.

She said: "The cut-off time is 17 hours. If you have not finished by then you have to stop so I want to get under that although lots of things can go wrong like punctures and cramp.

"After my first Halfway Ironman I felt awful and would never have contemplated going for the full one but this time I felt stronger and want to take on the Ultimate Challenge."

Wagstaff's preparation for the Ironman Championships will start in the New Year after she has first travelled to New Zealand as part of Great Britain's team for the World Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships.

White Rose Triathletes club mate Phil Dick and York-based Christine Buckley will join her on the plane for that competition in December.

All three booked their World Championships places in Shropshire this summer with Wagstaff Britain's fastest qualifier from her age group.

The Olympic discipline places an emphasis on speed rather than endurance with a 1500m swim followed by a 26-mile bike ride and a 10km run.

"It will be ever so hot," said the physio. "So we will be going over there in November to acclimatise.

"My best time at the Olympic Distance is two hours and 46 minutes but I'm sure there will be a strong American team there."

Wagstaff has also won triathlons in Scarborough and Ripon at her age group, as well as completing ten marathons with London and Edinburgh just two of the entries on her CV.

Having started out as a runner with Knavesmire Harriers, she decided to combine her love for recreational swimming and cycling and become a triathlete.

She said: "I've always liked swimming and used to cycle to work and for fun. I decided I would be better putting all three together than I was at running and joined White Rose."

The York-based White Rose club now boasts more than 50 members and meets regularly with swimming training taking place at Yearsley and Stamford Bridge swimming pools.

Wagstaff already undertakes a punishing training schedule but knows that will intensify when she begins her ten-month preparation for the Ironman contest.

She said: "I usually train twice a day, doing two different disciplines, with one day off a week.

"At the moment, I am doing short distances and working on quality but when I get back from New Zealand I will be doing more sessions immediately after one another and, of course, at longer distances."

Updated: 10:17 Thursday, October 16, 2003