FORMULA One driver Jenson Button had Hereford’s Andrew Griffiths in his rear-view mirror during a gruelling double triathlon event earlier this month.

Competing in the Jenson Button Trust triathlon, Tennis Hereford coach pulled on the lycra for the first time in 16 years, finishing in the top-50 of his ‘SuperSprint’ heat to make the final.

Griffiths finished 113th in the elite 150-man final, which included professional triathletes, Olympians and Ironmen.

Button came home in 17th, securing bragging rights over F1 rival Paul di Resta – and those who question the fitness of motorsport enthusiasts.

“I found it enjoyable, if that’s the right word,” said Griffiths of the double-header.

“Despite all the events I’ve been involved in throughout my tennis career, this was the best event I have ever been to.

“And I was pleased with my performance,” he added.

Griffiths got a chance to have a chat with the 2009 World Champion, who told him that his route back into the saddle mirrored that of hundreds of the event’s participants.

“I used to compete – I’m a little heavier than I used to be and after watching all the sport on TV last year, one day I just decided to get out on my bike.

“Entering this event started out as a bit of a dare, and got to the point where I couldn’t back out.

“I thought I was in quite good shape until I started training with the Hereford Triathlon Club.”

But that training paid off, Griffiths clocked one hour 13 minutes 45 seconds over the final’s Sprint format of 750-metre swim, 20km bike and 5km run.

Despite temperatures hitting the high-20s, Griffiths improved as the race went on, gaining 13 places in the final run section.

Having raised £250 for Help for Heroes in order to enter, the Hereford Cathedral School coach didn’t stop there, raising £600 for local charity Little Princess Trust with further sponsorship still pouring in.

And he has now got the bug – Griffiths has already signed up to compete in the sea triathlon on the Gower peninsula in September.