A MALVERN Triathlon Club trio represented Great Britain at the European Triathlon Union European Age Group Duathlon Championships in Spain.

Rob Hurley, Lisa Hurley and Vikki Sivertsen raced in Alcobendas in the longer standard distance consisting of 10-kilometre and 5km runs and a 38km bike section.

The challenging course, consisting of 84 roundabouts on the bike leg, was hit by freak weather conditions.

Torrential rain, a hailstorm, high winds and a big temperature drop resulted in many failing to finish due to injuries from crashes or suffering from the cold.

The large finish gantry blew down and hit several runners, while traffic cones and metal railings were swept across the course, bringing riders down.

The Malvern trio showed grit and determination by completing the course.

Rob Hurley was first for the club in two hours 15 minutes, while Sivertsen clocked 2.36 and Lisa Hurley 2.44.

More Malvern members tackled the Wombourne and Lydney sprint triathlons.

Matt Downes was first over the line for the club at Wombourne with a top-10 finish for his age group. Lorraine Brooks was 16th in the women’s 40 to 49 age category in her first triathlon.

After a 400-metre pool swim, the undulating 16km bike course had an uphill finish before a flat run along a disused railway line.

Stuart Horsfall, Steve Keepax, Janet Adsett, Stephen Clarke, Simon Angwin and Jess Adset also raced.

Andy Dingley and Beckie McLean took on their first triathlon at Lydney.

A 400m pool swim was followed by a hilly 22km bike leg and a final 5km run around a lake.

Claire Crozier was sixth woman overall and third in her age category, while Andy Rickard and Gulab Chauhan also participated.

Malvern host a ‘Try a Tri’ day at Malvern College tomorrow from 9.30am until 1pm with swim, bike and run coaching. Limited spaces are available for anyone aged 16 and over. To book, call 01684-581681.

The club are also providing a short junior triathlon training course for budding triathletes aged eight to 14.

They will consist of bike and running sessions on Tuesdays from 6.30pm until 7.30pm from June 2 with optional swimming on Thursdays from 6pm until 7pm. For more information, contact Neill Williamson on 01684-573519 or at neillandjenwilliamson@hotmail.com.