A DRAMATIC change in weather conditions made life difficult for a quintet of Malvern Triathlon Club athletes over long-distance events.

But Andrew Rickard, Paul Cope, Stephen Clarke, Lorraine Brookes and Nadine Croney overcame high winds, torrential rain and a drop in temperature by 15 degrees to complete their respective races.

Rickard, Cope and Clarke took part in the Outlaw long-distance triathlon event in Nottinghamshire, consisting of a 2.4-mile open water swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a full marathon run.

A number of cyclists were blown off their bikes underlining the treacherous conditions. But Clarke held firm to finish his first long-distance triathlon in 14 hours 33 minutes.

Seasoned ironman competitors Rickard and Cope completed it in 14.07 and 12.12 respectively.

On the same day Brookes was one of 43 endurance athletes who competed in the Cotswolds Lake 62 Standard Aquabike.

She was the first lady home in her age group and was the seventh best female overall with a time of 01.53.11.

The previous day saw Croney undertake her first standard event and cross the finish line in 03.24.20.