GRIMSBY Triathlon Club members Karen Hames and Georgina Shaw believe their selection for Great Britain will help raise local interest in the sport.

Hames, 54, alerted the GB radar with an impressive ninth place finish at this summer's European Triathlon Championships in Pontrevendra, Spain.

Her success was then replicated by club-mate Shaw, 29, who clinched 16th place at the World Duathalon Championships, held in the Spanish city of Gijon.

Despite training in a relatively secluded environment – GTC has just 45 members – the duo have made substantial progress since taking up the sport.

Understandably, both Hames and Shaw are delighted by their achievements, but they remain aware of the challenges still facing the sport.

Hames said: "Triathlon is known in this area, but not many people do it.

"When you go to bigger cities like Birmingham or Leeds there is always something going on.

"We are supported and given a team manager, but we don't train as a squad because we are still not professional athletes.

Shaw added: "It is still up to ourselves to make events and cover things financially.

"At the end of the day you have got to pay for it still and put the hours in with training.

"It is all a case of scheduling your week to fit in what training you can.

"To be fair, it is much easier because my work colleagues are helpful.

"If I need to swap shifts then nine times out of ten someone will help me out."

With the triathlon season drawing to a close last month, both Hames and Shaw are hoping to use the winter to maintain their fitness ahead of next year.

In addition to their 2012 preparations, the pair are determined to increase the membership at the club which helped support their own rapid development.

Hames said: "We are currently a very small club and only a handful of the members we have are female.

"We are self-funded at the minute and pay for our own coaching but we are hoping to have more help from sponsors next season.

"It is a club for all abilities and, even though myself and Georgie are the first two to represent Great Britain, it is a good place to train."

Shaw added: "I have only been training for a little more than a year but everyone at the club has been so welcoming and they encourage you to try your best.

"People are just an email away if you fancy going for a run or swim somewhere – there is always help if you need to know something."

For more Grimsby Triathlon Club details and information, visit the club's website: www.grimsbytri.co.uk.