BY his own admission, Julian Freeman got into triathlon through a 'late 30s fitness crisis'.

Now the former drama teacher often competes in iron men events, which consist of a 2.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride and a full marathon.

Julian is also turning his hobby into a business by building up the Black Sheep Sports company he runs with friend and fellow iron man Trevor Kingdom.

Julian was a drama teacher at the Royal Forest of Dean College when he struck up a friendship with Trevor, a fitness instructor at The Fitzone (based on the Coleford camp).

Trevor's sporting CV is impressive. A talented middle distance schoolboy runner, he achieved a time of 11hrs 9mins in the German Ironman.

Together, the pair put on sporting events in and around the county, including The Big Woody, The Wye Ultra 30 and the Forest of Dean Enduro (cycling).

Julian said: "We organise races and we also manage entries for other organisations.

"We provide chip timing for events such as the Forest of Dean Half Marathon, racking for bikes and will even provide an inflatable finish arch."

Triathlons (which incorporate running, swimming and cycling), have become hugely popular in recent years, with Gloucester and Monmouth boasting successful tri-clubs.

Black Sheep Sports will be running taster sessions for people willing to give the sport a go after their main triathlon competitions in Ross, Lydney and Monmouth.

Their friends and family relay races will be held after the main races over much shorter courses, typically a 100-metre swim, three mile bike ride and a mile run. One person will complete each discipline.

The Monmouth Triathlon (400-metre swim, 15km bike ride & 5km run) will be held from Monmouth School on April 11.

The Lydney Triathlon will be held on May 9 from Whitecross Leisure Centre, while the Ross event takes place on June 13 from Drummond's Dub Lake. For more information go to www.blacksheepsportsltd.co.uk