Stathern Duathlon course record falls to 2018 winner

Race winner Thomas Marshall leads the pack from the start EMN-180927-104146002

The seventh annual village event, held to raise money for Stathern Primary School and village sports provision, had to be put back six months after the original date fell victim to the winter storms of the Beast from the East.

In contrast, the autumnal version was held in perfect conditions, backed by generous support, as a field of 96 toed the start line for the 5km run, 18km cycle and 5km run finish.

Marshall crossed the line in 1hr 09min 01secs to smash the previous record by 58 seconds and edge out runner-up Matthew Kingston-Lee who also dipped under the previous best mark.

Marshall with runner-up Matthew Kingston-Lee (right) and third-placed Richard Marshall (left) EMN-180927-104134002

Richard Marshall completed the podium places in a combined time of 1.11.24, and Molly Pacey was first female finisher, 26th overall in 1.21.42.

Kingston-Lee, a member of the Belvoir Tri club, built a 33-second lead after the opening run, but Marshall bridged the gap on the bike and started the final leg with a 30-second advantage.

Other selected results: 5th Adam Madge (Belvoir Tri) 1.13.41; 9th Ian Galpin (Vale of Belvoir Cycling Club) 1.15.15; 21st Steve Cropper (Belvoir Tri) 1.19.44; 28th Richard Bateman (Stilton Striders) 1.21.48; 30th Andy Nicholls (Stilton Striders) 1.22.35; 32nd Mick Stevens (Melton Olympic CC) 1.22.53; 33rd Wayne Searle (Belvoir Tri) 1.23.17; 38th Sophie Hunt (Belvoir Tri) 1.26.04; 46th Mark Deans (Belvoir Tri) 1.29.01; 50th Claire Hardy (Belvoir Tri) 1.29.53; 72nd Sarah Lawrence (Stilton Striders) 1.36.25; 78th David Highton (Belvoir Tri) 1.38.05; 90th Jonathan Read (Stilton Striders) 1.42.23; 92nd Liz Saxton (Belvoir Tri) 1.46.39.