Runner, triathlete and cyclist Joanna Shillington, who departs Bermuda today has reflected on her action-filled 10 years as one of the Island’s leading sportswomen.One of the clear highlights came on May 24 this year when she was involved in a near dead-heat finish with cyclist Nicole Mitchell in the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race. It took ten minutes before race officials, having studied a finish line photo, were able to announce Shillington had won the prestigious title by 2/100ths of a second.“That was amazingly close. For ten minutes I did not know if I had won, I had low expectations,” she said.Competitive cycling is a sport she took up after arriving in Bermuda, as she did with triathlons and running.She came to the Island in the early 2000s, working for PwC, and soon afterwards started running at the suggestion of a friend, Julie Farah, who told her about the Mid Atlantic Athletic Club and the training sessions at the National Sports Centre.Shillington had never been to a running track before.“Coach Steve Burgess was the person taking those sessions. There were only about 15 of us in 2002 and it was really good fun,” she said.Running became part of her life and over the years she kept improving and became a regular high-placed female finisher, and on occasion took top honours, as she did in last October’s PartnerRe 5K road race.“I had tried many times to win that race. It was also traumatic having my friend Jenny collapse.” Shillington and Jennifer Alen had been running neck and neck before Alen collapsed in the final 100 metres and was later treated in hospital.Another of Shillington’s sporting highlights came in January when she was the women’s winner in the Bermuda Triangle Half Challenge during Bermuda Marathon Weekend.Describing running as “an old friend”, she said: “In Bermuda I realised that running came naturally to me.”Cycling was the next sport she tried. She initially borrowed a bike and then had Steve Ruse make her Airborne bikes, which led to her taking up cycle racing. She got to know Brian Drea who introduced her to Team Madison and was soon part of the group.“It has been such a joy cycling with Madison. Whereas running comes naturally to me, cycling is exciting as I find I have to focus really hard not to get things wrong.”Shillington was encouraged to try triathlons by one of Island’s top athletes, Evan Naude, with whom she also won the Fidelity Couples Race one year.After taking part in a triathlon camp, she was soon competing in events as far away as Hawaii. She has since made her mark as a leading competitor on the Island in triathlons and duathlons.Shillington is moving back to her homeland England with her husband and son. They will live in Surrey. Of her family she said: “My four-year-old son is brilliant fun, and my husband is gorgeous and incredibly intelligent. I am excited and looking forward to the adventures ahead of us.”She feels lucky to have met “so many inspiring people” in Bermuda.As well as her Madison team-mates, she will miss her ‘Hungry Bay family’ neighbours, the Harveys and the Deacons, and the professionals who have helped keep her race fit, namely Dr Will Peckett, physios Shara Crunden and Dee McMullen and fellow runner Victoria Fiddick.Bidding the Island farewell, Shillington said: “I’ve had a really happy time here; the dazzling blue skies, the crystal clear blue seas and the breathtaking sunsets. I’ve enjoyed working at PwC, IPC and Validus and I hope to stay in touch with my friends. And I would love to come back and visit.”