Mel C joins a host of Olympians for the 2013 Virgin Active London Triathlon

By Jason Chester

PUBLISHED: 09:32 EST, 27 July 2013 | UPDATED: 12:48 EST, 27 July 2013

Sporty by name, sporty by nature it would seem.

Indeed, former Spice Girl Mel C has more than lived up to the unshakeable nickname she was given in the nineties by taking part in gruelling triathlons and marathons over recent weeks – and she was at it again on Saturday when she joined a handful of Olympians for the 2013 Virgin Active London triathlon at the city's ExCeL Centre.

The 39-year-old looked fit and toned as she posed with her bike at a photo-call alongside boxer Nicola Adams and Tae Kwon Doe athlete Jade Jones – gold medallists in their respective sports at last year's Olympic Games.

On your marks: Former Spice Girl Mel C takes part in a photo-call at London's Royal Victoria Dock ahead of the Virgin 2013 Triathlon on Saturday

Mel C with Olympic gold medallists Jade Jones (left) and Nicola Roberts

Let's do this: Mel C with Olympic gold medallists Jade Jones (left) and Nicola Adams

Mum-of-one Mel later donned her wetsuit and swimming cap for the event, which sees competitors take part in swimming, cycling and running challenges over a series of distances.

The event – which takes place over two-days – will be carried out at the ExCeL and London Docklands, with all proceeds going to charity.

Mel has a little experience under her belt, having taken part in the Shock Absorber Women Only Triathlon at a park in Eton earlier this month, during which she showed off a honed six-pack and some impressive biceps as she confidently held her own.

Lining up: Mel C lines up with Olympian's at London's Victoria Dock ahead of the triathlon on Saturday

Toned and trim: Mel, 39, is in the best shape of her life having already taken part in triathlon's and marathons n preparation for Saturday's event

Up for the challenge: Jade Jones and Nicola Adams were amongst the contenders at the 2013 Virgin London Triathlon

On the day she undertook a 400m swim, 21.2 km bike ride and a 4.2k run in preparation for Saturday's event.

The singer also threw her hat into the ring for an exhausting marathon at London's Olympic Park on July 21, where she was joined by 15,000 runners at the National Lottery Anniversary Run.

Mel – who completed her first triathlon in 2011 – is taking part in her current endurance test in a bid to raise money for homeless charity Shelter and even has her own fundraising page set up on the Virgin Triathlon website.

Getting stuck in: Mel joins in the fun with her fellow contestants at the 2013 Virgin London Triathlon

Good clean fun: Mel C completes the swimming challenge - one of three she must undertake in order to complete the triathlon

Elsewhere, the star is on the verge of releasing new single Loving You, a duet with former X Factor winner Matt Cardle.

Speaking to The Mirror, Mel admitted she had a 'secret snog' with the 30-year-old before they filmed the song's accompanying video.

'I've never had a love interest in a video before so I was really nervous beforehand,' she said. 'I've always felt too self-conscious before and never really had the confidence to do it.

'As they were setting up this particular scene, Matt and I were chatting and I told him I'd never done this before. As cringy and embarrassing as that was, we did have a cheeky little secret snog before we went down to do it for real on set.'

The new single is released on August 18.

All smiles: Mel C is in high spirits as she takes part in the 2013 Virgin London Triathlon on Saturday

The former Spice Girl is taking part in the triathlon so she can raise money for homeless charity Shelter

Doing it for charity: The former Spice Girl is taking part in the triathlon so she can raise money for homeless charity Shelter

Exhausted: The star peels off her westsuit after completing the swimming challenge in London on Saturday

News reporter draws giant penis on live TV
'Evolved baby' prank. Woman gives birth and baby runs off
Moment high-speed passenger train derails and crashes
The ghost of Earl Grey? Teabags float down aisles of shop
RAW: Man recklessly lies down in front of train for stunt
SmackCam compilation by Max and Jerry
Prince Harry: I'll make sure George has fun
What happens in Vegas....ends up on YouTube
Terrible scene filmed on camera phone after train crashes in...
Train crash leaves at least 80 dead in Spain
GRAPHIC CONTENT: Bodies crowd makeshift morgue in Cairo
Buckingham Palace opens Queen's Coronation exhibition

Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2380022/Mel-C-joins-host-Olympians-2013-Virgin-Active-London-Triathlon.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Daily News Updated

Saturday, July 27, 2013