A LYMPSHAM tree surgeon has qualified for the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships, without even training for the event.

Rob Drinkwater, who runs Drinkwater tree services Ltd in Lympsham, has the opportunity to represent the UK at the World Championships in Canada after excelling at The Spartan Race in Gloucester.

He came third out of 1000 entrants at the race, which is a gruelling course involving numerous challenging obstacles to test competitors’ abilities

Rob, who didn’t even train for the race, believes that his job keeps him in tip top condition, he said: “My work as a tree surgeon keeps me very fit.

“The course required a lot of upper body strength, which comes from climbing and a lot of stamina to endure all of those hills in the Costwolds”

The race covered 13km and included obstacles such as walls, mud, barbed wire, ropes and fire.

Not only did Rob come third overall, but he also came first in his age category, and has qualified for the UK finals in November.