They cycled a 3014 mile relay race from California to Maryland in an astonishing eight days, five hours and 19 minutes. Now, the four women, with an average age of 60, are limbering up for the Three2Go races.

The British friends – known as the Serpentine running club’s Golden Girls – have reunited to take part in the 12 September races as part of the 2012 Olympics. Two are running a marathon and the other two a 5k. Their aim? To promote support for the over 50s.

The team, Margaret Sills, 59, Eddie Brocklesby, 66, Hilary Walker, 56, and Hilary Webber, 62, will call into play the determination that saw them work in hour-long relay slots to become the oldest women’s team ever to complete Race Across America (RAAM) last year, cycling an average 15.28 miles an hour. They pedalled from Oceanside to Annapolis displaying impressive feat of endurance.

Margaret Sills and Eddie Brocklesby are running the 5k and the two Hilaries are training for the trail marathon. The Three2Go race series has been inspired by the annual countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games and the promise of cultural and sporting opportunities for all. Everyone can take part in the three2go event whether you’ve never trained before or are a keen running club member.

The marathon is down the Lee Valley from St Margarets in Hertfordshire to Hackney Marshes, and the 5k, and free 1k fun run, are on the Marshes. A free family festival on Hackney Marshes with a strong local community focus including music, cheerleaders and sporting challenges including a beat-the-goalie competition, will be accessible to all.

Three2Go seeks to harness enthusiasm for the Games in 2012, by getting local people involved in sport on 1 September. Exercise and healthy diet help reduce obesity and chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, depression, mental health problems and Alzheimer’s.

Less than 3% of over-65′s exercise regularly, though the health benefits remain, even for those who take up sport after 50.

Biographies of the Golden Girls:

Walker:
• A top Government scientist from Westminster
• Last year she completed Ironman Switzerland.
• She took up running seriously in 1982 and ran three marathons that year. By 1985 she completed her first ultra distance running events (100km and 24hrs).
• In 1988 she was the first lady ever to break the-15 hour running barrier for 100 miles (twice) and she smashed both the 200 miles and 48 hours world records.
• She represented Great Britain as an international elite athlete for 10 years in 25 competitions at both 100km and 24 hours, winning the 1st European 100km championships and medalling in both World and • • European championships as an individual and in the team events.
• In total she has run 150 marathons.
• In 1992, she achieved her 5th entry in the Guinness Book of Records by running the “Roof of the World” along the Friendship Highway between Lhasa and Khatmandu.

Sills:
• A senior lecturer in administration for public health, from Battersea, London
• She completed her first triathlon in 1983, age 33.
• From 1995 until 2005 she has raced in the age group triathlon world championships, finishing in the top 10 – 4th being her best placing. She claimed a gold medal in the Europeans and often made podium.
• Long distance world championships and world duathlons are also on her agenda.
• In 2000 she celebrated her 50th birthday by completing her first full distance Ironman in 12hrs 50mins. In • 2004 she completed the Hawaii Ironman, the pinnacle of triathlon racing.
• Divorce, death and depression conspired to prevent her from racing for a couple of seasons.
• With a bac ground in Exercise Physiology and Health Promotion she is only too aware of the importance of regular exercise to the lives of post-menopausal women.

Webber:
• A retired accountant from Salisbury
• A love of adventure and outdoor activities lured Webber into sport. When her children reached school age, she would take them swimming ,running and cycling.
• She took up running seriously in 1984, age 36, after watching London Marathon on television.
• She ran the London Marathon in 1986 in just under 4 hours. Some years later she completed the Salisbury Sprint Triathlon.
• She has raced at Olympic Distance triathlon since 1993 taking part in the ITU World Champions 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007. She has always finished in the top ten.
• She completed the _ Ironman in 2002 and qualified for 2004 Hawaii Ironman World Championship at Sherborne _ Ironman in 2003.
• In 2004, age 57, she came second best female all rounder Cycling Time Trialist in the South DC.
• In April 2005 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After surgery, radiotherapy and she scheduled appointments for midday and cycled the daily 56-mile trip to Southampton hospital, ignoring doctors’ warnings that she would get too tired.
• She still took part in Clarendon Way Marathon in October 2005.
• She is convinced sport and fitness prevented the cancer from spreading, and gave her a focus and sanity during treatment.

Brocklesby:
• A social work consultant from Vauxhall, London
• Last year she finished the Monaco Half Ironman.
• When her 54-year-old husband died from cancer fifteen years ago, she immersed herself in sport which enabled her transition into single life after 30 years of marriage.
• Aged 54, she ran her first marathon, and has run the London 26.6-mile race five times since.
• She completed her first age group world Duathlon in 2004, and won her age group. Other long and short distance Duathlon medals followed.
• In 1998 she joined Serpentine Running Club with the firm belief that exercise and sport transformed her life
• In 2008, she retained her duathlon title in the even older age group of 65-70.
• Her greatest achievement came in May 2009 in the Lanzarote Ironman, when she became the oldest women ever to finish the race.