A TRIATHLON to raise money in memory of Sophie Drury, who fought cancer for 10 years, has hit a stumbling block after a competitor was forced to pull out.

Sophie, who lived at Castle Eaton, near Swindon, lost her battle with ovarian cancer on April 5, 2008 at Wroughton’s Prospect Hospice. She was just 34.

Eight challengers, including Sophie’s husband Rob, and brother Tom Archard, set their sights on the mountain triathlon at Ullswater in the Lake District to raise money for Sophie’s Legacy– an organisation set up to raise funds for the charities close to Sophie’s heart.

But now, less than two weeks from the challenge on May 20, three competitors are facing disqualification after one member of the team was forced to drop out due to injury.

Rob, 39, said: “They are in desperate need of a replacement, this is a team event and without the full complement of athletes then the three remaining team members will be reduced to additional supporters.

“This is devastating news for the team, who will see months of training and physio bills come to nothing. It will have an impact on the money that we are raising too.”

Rob, who ran the Rome Marathon last year to raise money in his wife’s memory, is now imploring anyone who may be signed up for the feat to do it for charity and salvage their fundraising efforts.

“If you are already taking part please ask all your friends and family if they would be willing to make up the fourth member of Team Misfits,” he said. “Or if you are not already in a team please consider joining the cause.”

If they find their fourth member in time, the Misfits will race against other teams, including Rob and Tom’s, in a paddling, hiking and cycling time trial.

All sponsorship will go to Macmillan Cancer Support, The North West Cancer Research Fund and Prospect Hospice, which allowed Sophie to die with the dignity she hoped for.

For information on Sophie’s Legacy 2010 Mountain Triathlon Challenge, or to donate, visit www.sophieslegacy.org.