Stathern Duathlon: Hallam takes 2017 victory

The event comprised a 5km run followed by an 18km cycle and then another 5km run with a transition zone set up on the village green for the athletes to leave their bikes and change for each discipline.

The two runs followed the same flat out-and-back course towards Dove Cottage, but the bike section took riders up Stathern Hill, through Eastwell towards Belvoir Castle and back towards Stathern along Long Lane where the field met a vicious headwind.

A total of 114 athletes completed the race which raises funds for sporting provision for the local school and village youngsters.

It was won by Matthew Hallam in a combined time of 1hr 09min 59secs, well clear of runner-up Adam Madge, of Belvoir Tri Club (1.12.26) and third-placed Adam Jackson (Belvoir Tri) who was quickest over the first run, but slipped back a little to complete in 1.12.43.

First back for the Striders in 15th place overall was Jason Barton in 1hr 20min 15secs after splits of 17min 12secs, 42min 23secs and 18min 59secs.

Next back was 67-year-old Mick Stevens, in Striders’ colours for the first time in years, in 16th overall in 1.20.24 (19.41/36.59/21.42).

Scrapping into the top 20 was Darren Glover (1.21.46), followed by Matt Taylor, racing for 4 Life Tri in 1.23.52.

Wayne Hackett clocked 1.26.13 racing for his tri club Race Hub, followed by Paul Geeson (1.26.39), Marc Lupson (1.27.28), Andy Nicholls (1.28.30), Norman Starks (1.36.54), and Sarah Proctor continuing her comeback from injury in 1.47.44.

* A 16-strong Stilton Striders contingent took part in the Aldi Ashby 20, a premier pre-London Marathon training race and for other spring marathons and ultras.

The challenging race takes runners over two laps of a hilly 10-mile course.

First Strider back was Stuart Shaw, demonstrating good form in his preparations for London by posting 2hr 19min 42secs, followed by Matthew Gayton (2.34.11).

Michelle Farlow and Vicki Lowe, training for London together, ran side by side and were pleased with their pacing to achieve an excellent 2.44.19, while Abigail Arnott, in training for an ultra, crossed the line in 2.52.58.

Also showing good form for London were Liz Goodbourn (2.54.23) and Kirsty Black (2.58.59).

Other times: Greeba Heard (3.00.10), Daniel Howley (3.09.11), David Hall (3.19.43), Jon Wilson (3.23.49), Brian Walking (3.27.40), Georgina Newcombe (3.33.20), Helen Metcalfe (3.42.19), Debs Wilson (4.00.09) and Matt Chalmers (4.30.43).

They had great support from clubmates marshalling Emma Claire and Laura Peacock.