A TEAM of Black Country Triathletes represented Great Britain in Glasgow at the weekend at the European Age Group Triathlon Championships.

The event was part of the European Multisport event taking place over the last week.

Ollie Mason, one of the youngest competitors at just 15, got things off to a great start being chosen to carry the Union flag at the opening ceremony on Wednesday night, with all of them racing on Saturday morning at Strathclyde Park in the sprint event.

All athletes qualified to represent their country at various races throughout the year and this event will see some of them wearing the GB tri suit for the first time.

Having a fantastic race, Keith Bate came home in first position in his age group taking the gold medal in the 65-69 age group, three minutes in front of the next placed athlete in a time of 1.17.15.

Gary Bonner, representing GB for the first time in the 55-59 age group, finished 21st in 1.16.42 and Lauren Evans, in the female 20-24 age group, was 20th in 1.21.24.

There was a trio of young men in the 16-19 age group which saw Reece Ashfield finish sixth in 1.05.59, Ollie Mason 22nd in 1.13.50 and Oliver Evans 32nd in 1.19.46. It was the first time both Mason and Evans had raced for GB too and both enjoyed their experience and both are looking forward to racing in Ibiza in October having also qualified for the ETU European Duathlon Championships along with club mates Lauren Evans, Bonner and Ashfield as well.