CHRIS Elias clinched victory yesterday in a gruelling Worcester biathlon which attracted more than 120 competitors.

The Tewksbury Tri athlete clocked 25 minutes and seven seconds to win while second was Mike Cornes (Birmingham University) in 25-20 and Ian Hindes (Black Country Tri) was third, clocking 25-21.

Worcester's Stirling Triathlon Club's Winter Biathlon lived up to its name with extremely cold conditions for the athletes.

However this did not deter a competitive field and organisers were delighted with the attendance.

The race began at Worcester Swimming Pool at 8.30am and the first competitors started the 400-metre swim followed by a tough 5km run-twice up Rainbow Hill.

The overall winner of the female race was Chrissy Radon of Shaftesbury Barnett in a very fast time of 26-11. Her run time of 19-52 was one of the fastest of the day. Second spot went to former British elite champion Loretta Sollars in 26-53 and third was Liz Lees of Hereford Tri in 30-53.

Les Bailey clinched local success for Worcester Tri when he won the Male Ultra Veteran title with a time of 34-35.

Results:

1st Male Veteran: Stuart Geggie (Halesowen) 26-33.

1st Female Vet: Marilyn Barwood (Tewkesbury) 32-00.

1st Male Super Vet: Chris Harrison (U/A0 32-41.

1st Female Super Vet: Rosemary Green (Kenilworth) 34-04.

1st Male Ultra Vet: Les Bailey (Worcester Tri) 34-35

1st Female Ultra Vet: Pat James (Kenilworth) 38-05.

1st Male Junior: Dan Morris (Nottingham Uni) 26-11

1st Female Junior: Georgia Wood (Birmingham Uni) 35-10.

1st Male Youth: Lewis Bevan (Taff Ely Tri) 29-42.

Other Worcester tri club members competing were Johnny Stevens (26-38), Nigel Stinton (31-52), Alec Bond (32-04), Gayle Owen (32-4), Mark Johnson (32-55), Ros Townsend-Hope (33-56), Peter Bond (36-52), Maureen Burrows (37-07), Jason Bloomer (40-35) and Sally Dodwell (41-50).

The next club event is the Malvern Tri on May 13. Full information from Mike Issitt 01905 621123.