BLACK Country Triathlete Rob Kennard finished first in his age group at the Bedford Autodrome Duathlon last weekend.

The race was one of the seasons qualifying races for the 2018 European Duathlons in Ibiza and involved a 10km run, 20km bike and a 5km run which Kennard completed in an overall time of 2.03.58.

This placed him 27th overall and first in the 50-54 age group. It comes at the end of a successful year of racing which has seen him win his age group at the Powerman Duathlon in Mallorca and don the GB suit several times for standard distance and long distance duathlon races at the European Championships in Sankt Wendel, Germany and World Championships in Zofingen, Switzerland where he finished eighth in age group and first GB athlete home.

His target for 2018 is to achieve an overall podium place at the European Championships and will be starting his training in full in the new year.

Kennard, from Kingswinford, who has only been competing in the sport for seven years found a love for cycling and running and has gone from strength to strength with 2017 being his most successful racing year to date.

Age group athletes fund all their training, kit and race entry and Kennard would welcome sponsorship from any local company who could support him in achieving his goal. Please contact kennywolves@hotmail.com if you would like to support a local athlete.

Also looking to qualify for an age group place in Ibiza next year were BCT youngsters Oliver Evans and Oliver Mason in the 15-19 age group.

Evans finished in 1.04.06, finishing eighth in age group and Mason in 1.04.06 for ninth. Both are hoping that the results from last week’s race at Oulton Park will allow them the chance to follow in other BCT athletes footsteps and represent their country in GB colours.

Also racing from the club were athletes from the junior section in the British Schools Biathlon at Tudor Grange in Solihull involving swimming and running disciplines. Each were representing their school but the event was also a qualifier for the National Biathlon Championships in November and National Schools Championships in March next year. Coming home with medals were Abbie Kennard winning silver in the under-13 girls competition and Dylan Jones winning silver and Noah Sandland winning bronze for the under-13 boys who gained automatic qualification. Also racing was Rosie and Holly Briscoe and Morgan Lathbury Cox all hoping qualify with the number of points scored.