THE sun shone on Sunday for the Black Country Triathletes first sprint triathlon of the season, which saw more than 250 experienced and novice athletes take on the 400m swim, 20km bike and 5k run in Wombourne.

Although those that had an early start had a bit of a cold transition from the pool to the bike, after cycling up to Six Ashes from Ounsdale Leisure Centre they were well warmed up and there were lots of personal best times and fast finishes.

Overall 1st male was Aaron Crinnian in 00:57:11 and 1st female Lauren Evans in 01:04:34, from BCT.

This year also saw the new King of the Mountain Category, sponsored by Midland Investment Agency, which was won by Ben Monkton from BCT and Kate Miller from Warley Wasps.

Black Country Triathlon athletes also took a number of the age group category prizes. Overall winners male, Ben Monkton was 2nd in 00:57:45 and Dave Nash 3rd in 00:59:19.

The male and female youth category (U19) was dominated by BCT athletes, some of whom where racing at this distance for the first time, with Oliver Mason 1st in 01:04:34, Morgan Paine 2nd in 01:09:34, Oliver Evans 3rd in 01:10:06, Gemma Evans 2nd in 01:15:31 and Lydia Silk 3rd in 01:16:52.

The open male category was won by Thomas Dauncey in 01:01:46 and Tim Lake was 2nd male vet in 1:01:32. In the female vet category, all top three places went to club athletes, Karen Richards 1st in 01:13:08, Samantha Paine 2nd in 01:13:15 and Sarah Kennard 3rd on 01:19:51.

Super vet category had the following taking podium places – Mark Southall 2nd in 01:02:36 and Dave Hathaway 3rd in 01:03:47, with Pat Hackett taking 2nd female in the category in 1:15:15.

The male ultra vet category was also dominated by BCT members with Keith Bate 1st in 01:04:59, Gary Hickman 2nd in 01:08:49 and Chris Pedley 3rd in 01:10:59.

There was also racing in Ludlow, with several BCT athletes taking part in the Storm the Castle Duathlon.

Chris Wood and Stephen Holdcroft in the 35-44 age group finished 8th and 9th in category respectively, Paul Rogers and Rob Kennard in the 45-54 came home in 2nd and 11th in their age group, and Sue Payton and Julie Black in the female 45-54 age group finished 8th and 10th.