ATHLETES Chris and Niki Forecast took part in the Oldbury Duathlon on Sunday and put in creditable performances.

Chris, aged 14, who's training consists of a daily paper round in Colwall, finished first in a very exciting race with two other lads from the West Midland region.

The three were close together at the finish of the first 2k run, and the lead changed hands repeatedly during the 8k cycle. It was on the last lap of the second, shorter run, that Chris eventually broke away to finish only five or six seconds clear for his first ever win.

He has come in the top four in all but one of the triathlon events he has attempted this summer, but this was his first attempt at the duathlon, which omits his least favourite discipline, the swim.

Sister Niki who, although a year younger competes in the same age group, was delighted with her finishing place, having been quite convinced before hand that she would come last. However, she paced herself well and having set off slowly, overtook all but one other girl to finish her season off with a second place, again her first time at this combination of events.

Chris is off next weekend to Birmingham University for a regional development training and assessment weekend. Both are pupils at John Masefield High School.