WORCESTER Triathlon Club held their annual Peopleton Duathlon in dry, calm but very chilly weather.

More than 80 athletes took part in the ninth annual staging of this popular early season event.

Triathletes from as far afield as Bristol and Ludlow took part as well as Worcestershire triathletes.

The Peopleton village community are heavily involved with the race as the residents assist with race marshalling and the club makes a donation — in the past to St Nicholas Church, Peopleton, but this year the donation goes to Worcester’s St Richard’s Hospice to assist them with their work in the local community.

The race began outside the village hall with a mass start and the first part of the race was a two-lap four-mile run, followed by a two-lap 18-mile bike ride and finishing with one lap ending in the village hall sports field.

The overall male winner was Richard Lomas of the BRAT Club from Birmingham in a speedy one hour, 20 minutes, 32 seconds.

Daniel Geisler, of Worcester Tri Club, was second in 1.21.05 and Danny Harris, also of Worcester, third in 1.21.31.

Overall female winner was Allison Bagnell of the Pershore-based Echelon Rotor club in a time of 1.34.36. Jessica Williams (was second in 1.38.36 and Nicola Noble, of Yogi Cycling Plymouth, third in 1.42.50.

Triathletes were also competing to win their age category.

Tom Ward won the male junior category while Andrew Shipton and Louise Reynolds won the veteran category.

Peter Wheddon and Helen Seabourne won the super vet category and Peter Hawcroft won the male ultra vet section.