BLACK Country Triathletes tasted success when the club held it's first event of the new season.

Last weekend saw the return of the first triathlon of the season run by Black Country Triathletes and the competitors were blessed with near perfect conditions for racing with warm weather and little wind, especially for those who set off early.

The popular local triathlon consisted of a 400m pool swim, 20km bike and 5km run and once again attracted seasoned and novice triathletes alike.

Topping the podium overall for the ladies was BCT athlete Lauren Evans who finished in 1:06:40 with team mate Lucy McNeill-Briggs in 1:08:26, 3rd lady overall was Sophie Whittingham from SYTri in 1:08:47. For the men, 1st place was Kevin Lane in 55:41, 2nd David Starr in 56:52 and in 3rd BCT athlete Thomas Dauncy in 59:27.

Several of the age group categories were won by Black Country Triathletes too with Paul Rogers taking 1st SuperVet and 4th overall in a time of 59:27, Alex Thompson, racing his first ever sprint distance race put in a fantastic performance finishing in a time of 59:41 placing him 5th overall and 1st male youth, Tim Lake finished in 1:00:34 placing him 6th overall and 1st Male Veteran with Neil Millward coming home in 1:01:21 and 3rd Male Vet. Olly Mason was 2nd in the Youth male category finishing in 1:01:26, Ed Bolland 2nd SuperVet in 1:01:58, Keith Bate took 1st prize in the Male UltraVet category in 1:03:32, Zach Taylor 3rd Youth Male in 1:09:59 and Chris Pedley was 3rd Male UtraVet in 1:11:28.

For the ladies Pat Hackett finished 3rd SuperVet female in a time of 1:14:08 and Leigh-Ann Adams took 1st female Veteran in 1:14:44. The Youth girls, also racing their first sprint distance race, came away with medals following sterling performances with Mia Hathaway finishing in 1:19:03 and Isobel Bolland in 1:22:35.