BOLTON “superman” Dave Clamp was left ruing his luck after finishing 13th in the gruelling Decatriathlon Ironman in Mexico.

Only a crippling shin injury part-way into the event, which comprised a 38k swim, a 1,120 mile bike ride followed by a 262 mile run, prevented the 49-year-old from Bromley Cross from smashing the world record and possibly winning.

The former Tottington High School teacher was struck down after catching then race-leader Kari Martens of Sweden and had overtaken the eventual winner, the German Marcel Heinig with 130 miles left to run. He was forced out for two days.

“I couldn’t even walk after I was hit by the injury,” said Clamp, who is now recoving at home. “I also suffered an infection and as a result of being put on the wrong antibiotics I was out for 48 hours.”

“I had to limp the last 130 miles, but I was determined to finish. It’s a once in a life time opportunity and you don’t want to give up if you can possibly finish.”

Sharing in his ordeal were his girlfriend Sally Cowen and 22-year-old son Sam, who were acting as his support team.

He added: “It must have been really difficult for them to see me suffering. Sally never told me to quit because she knows I didn’t want to. For people close to you to see you in the state I was in can’t have been easy.”

Bolton Wanderers fanatic Clamp was buoyed up by news of his team’s wins at Middlesbrough and Sunderland as he battled to finish the event.

But Clamp finished bravely, crossing the line to Peter Kay’s version of ‘Is This The Way to Amarillo’ with Sally and Sam.

Clamp also paid tribute to Bolton Triathlon Club of which he is a member.

“I couldn’t have done it without their support. They have been fantastic.”

Clamp is now recupperating before starting his job as a personal trainer at the Forrest Hills Hotel in Frodsham.