UPTON Triathlon attracted 500 competitors for a hot challenge in the popular event's 12th year.

They helped raise £2,960 for charity SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association).

Malvern Triathlon Club's Steve Butler was third in the men's sprint distance of a 750-metre swim in the River Severn, 21.5-kilometre bike section and 5km run.

He clocked one hour 15 minutes 52 seconds to finish behind Black Country Triathletes duo Reece Ashfield in 1.07.01 and Alex Thomson in 1.14.47.

The women's honours also went to Black Country competitors with Lauren Evans winning in 1.21.11 and Lucy McNeill-Briggs second in 1.21.55 while Rachel Whitwell from Calderdale Tri Club was third in 1.23.13.

The standard distance 1,500m swim, 40km bike and 5km run was won by Stratford Tri Club's Richard Shephard in 2.02.27 from Worcester's Nick Drabble in 2.06.23 and town club-mate Oscar Barbour in 2.08.38.

Victoria Baker from Monmouth Tri Club won the women's race in 2.16.22 ahead of Helen Richards in 2.19.30 and Rebecca Perry, of Janet Whiting Training and Coaching, in 2.29.23.

Race organiser Jessica Kitt said: “It was a great day and congratulations to all those who finished, particularly to our oldest and youngest competitors.

"Les Bailey from Worcester Tri Club was still looking spritely at the impressive age of 81 while Black Country Triathletes’ Alex Thomson came second overall in the sprint distance aged just 14.”

Nearly 150 children took part in the fifth Upton Kids’ Fun Run and each got a medal when they finished.

There was a 100m race for under fives followed by the one-kilometre race for the older youngsters.

For the triathlon, the Malvern club provided 29 competitors and it served as their championship event.

There were four Malvern groups among 29 relay teams.

Stewart Whitehead (swim), Vikki Sivertsen (bike) and Clifford Berry (run) finished fourth in 2.13.36, missing third by only 10 seconds but securing their relay club champions position.

They were followed home by Maria Dineen (swim), Lorrain Brookes (bike) and Jim Hancox (run) in 2.36.49 and Sarah Joy Williams (swim), Roy Hart (bike) and Ally Pemberton (run) in 2.48.30.

A serious technical fault on the bike hampered the other team who finished in 3.23.14.

Of the 225 finishers in the standard individual event, Malvern's Henry Walker was fifth in 2.11.31 to take the club championship plaque followed by Chris Grubb in 2.22.11, Bill Adsett in 2.46.59, Mathew Gillem in 2.52.41, Jayne Ackroyd in 2.52.58, Gulab Chauhan in 2.54.13, Steve Keepax in 2.56.35 and Wesley Ogden in 3.02.11.

Ackroyd was third in her age group and first woman for the club.

The sprint event attracted 161 entrants and Butler's third spot secured first in the club's championship league.

Malachi Cashmore, the club's youngest adult member at 15, came second in his age group and sixth overall in 1.17.06.

David Green, Malvern's oldest competitor, was first in his 60 to 64 age group in 1.22.44.

Stewart Powell finished second in his age group in 1.18.36, Tim Day-Thompson third in 1.19.50 and Jonathan Sage third in 1.28.01.

Janet Adsett was second in her age group and first club woman in 1.35.53 while Caroline Finch clocked 1.48.39 and Kelly Haywood 1.54.17.