IT'S been a busy couple of weeks for Worcester Triathlon Club's International duathlete Michelle Parsons as she prepares for the Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships in Switzerland next month.

Last weekend the Vale star took part in the Orca Longest Day Triathlon in Wolverha-mpton as part of a team completing one of three disciplines each.

Parsons recorded the second fastest run time of the day clocking three hours four minutes and 38 seconds for the 26.2 miles run leg of the triathlon, her first-ever attempt at the marathon distance, in heavy rain and wind.

Earlier fellow team member David Granger had completed the 2.4-mile swim leg in a superb 50 minutes and six seconds before Michelle's husband Phil completed the 112-mile bike section in five hours seven minutes and 24 seconds.

The team's overall time of 9.02.08 placed them third in the team event behind overall winners North Devon Tri (8.35.43)

The previous weekend, Parsons competed in the RTTC National 100-mile Time Trial Champion-ships on an undulating course near Winchester.

The race was her first long distance Time Trial and, after a steady start, she soon found a good rhythm and established herself in eighth position.

At the 50-mile mark her time was 2.15.09 which put her into seventh with half the race completed.

A steady next 25 miles maintained her position although the sixth-placed rider from Walsall had opened a gap of almost two minutes.

The last 25 miles, although not the quickest, saw Parsons move into sixth spot finishing in an overall time of 4.38.26 at an average speed of just over 21.5 mph.

Many local triathletes will be competing in this Sunday's Bredon Triathlon at Crofts Waterpark.