SUZY Hawkins won the silver medal in the 30-34 age group at the European Long Distance Triathlon Age Group Championships in Gerardmer, France. In her first season of triathlon with FVS TRI, she has moved up the distances from sprint to Olympic and finally

SUZY Hawkins won the silver medal in the 30-34 age group at the European Long Distance Triathlon Age Group Championships in Gerardmer, France.

In her first season of triathlon with FVS TRI, she has moved up the distances from sprint to Olympic and finally tried her hand at the long course event at the end of the season.

Suzy's time of 9-01 was impressive given the poor weather conditions and only four minutes slower than partner and veteran GB long course age group regular and multi-ironman Kevin Smart.

He achieved his challenge of competing for GB at age group twice in successive weekends having completed at the worlds. Kevin Ash also made his international debut with a time of 9-30.

Gavin May sealed his victory in the inaugural FVS TRI club championships with a victory in the final event at the Northampton Olympic Triathlon at Grendon Lakes.

He recorded 2-05:54 for 10th overall and second in the 40-44 age group which was good enough for overall victory in the '180 Series' which doubled as the FVS TRI club championships.

The 180 event represents the combined distance raced in the sprint, Olympic and half ironman events held between May and September.

Sam Tophill was victorious in the female 180 Series with Chris Yuill and Lesley Dutton finishing second and third overall for the three-race series which made up the club championships.

In the male event, Jon Gillham was second in the club championships and third in the 180 Series overall. Chris Baxter was third in the club championships.

On the day, Chris Yuill was first home in the Olympic event in 2-25:55 with ironman Helen Shulver dropping down a distance to finish second for FVS TRI in 2-27:36. Sam Tophill was third in 2-32:40.

Second home for the men on the day was Norseman Rob Wilson who finished in 2-13:21 just ahead of Jon Gillham in 2-14:19.

Many club members made their debut at the event with excellent first-time performances from Dil Wetherill, Chris Priestley, Andy Mussett, Drew Lowrie, Simon Douglas, Anna Priestley, Kevin Bradley, and Steve Mussett.

Despite it being their debut Olympic event, both Anna and Chris Priestley won their age groups for female 50-54 and male 55-59.

Simon Hall competed at the same venue in the shorter sprint event and was fourth overall and age group winner in the male 40-44 age group with a time of 1-17:58.

The 2008 sprint champions are Mike Bridge and Jackie Perry, the middle distance winners are Gavin May and Sam Tophill, and the Olympic champions are May and Helen Shulver. The overall champions are May and Tophill.

The whole series of events was sponsored by Letchworth-based TRISPORTS.

Bad weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of those tackling Ironman UK at Sherborne.

Chris Suckling was first home with a 12-18:29 with training partner Jeff Ryan finishing in 13-22:36. Bradley Baynham had a superb 13-26:21 and ironman Andy McPherson made his one and only appearance at the distance and recorded 14-07:12!

Kerri Renshaw was second overall female at the Clacton Olympic Triathlon and age group winner in the female 30-34 category. Pete Ryan was 23rd in the open male class with a time of 2-23:32.

In another event affected by the weather, Darren Greene and Tony Shortland travelled to the Lake District for the Helvellyn Triathlon. Darren completed the course in 4-26 with Tony finishing in 4-45.

Jane Chappell made a stunning debut at the middle distance or half ironman distance at Vitruvian at Rutland Water, recording 5-14:26.

Steve Harrison competed in the final event of the Corus Elite Series at Strathclyde open to only the top elite men in the UK and invited international triathletes.

The super sprint format was held over a qualifying round and a final shoot out. Steve qualified for the final and was 15th overall improving on last year's event in Hyde Park.

Tim Smith completed the 14th Vercors Drome cyclosportive, covering the 142k, with 2500m of climbing, with temperatures in the 30s in a time of 5-41.

Helen Shulver and Pete Timmins competed in the North Herts and Middlesex 25-mile TT on the A10.

On a emergency course used at the last minute due to unexpected road works, Helen was first female home in 1-10:27 and then went on to win the Club Olympic Championships the next day. Pete Timmins recorded 1-12:13 and went on to marshal at the club championships!

Richard and Lynn Allen ran the Garden City 10 and were rewarded with personal bests of 1-07:22 and 1-22:59 respectively.