Born to Jack and Peggy Tyson, both medical doctors, she attended Keswick School as a boarder and took up racewalking while there.

[2] Women's walking was in its early stages of development and, along with Marion Fawkes, Tyson was a leading athlete for Great Britain.

Her third and final outing at the 1981 IAAF World Race Walking Cup brought more modest results, with Tyson in 19th place.

[5] She also won the top level Coppa Città di Sesto San Giovanni race in 1981.

[6] After retiring from racewalking due to an Achilles tendon injury, she worked as a paediatrician in New Zealand, London, Great Yarmouth and finally at Perth Royal Infirmary.