There was medal glory for two local athletes in their age groups as they competed for Great Britain at the European Duathlon Championships in Alcobendas in Spain.

Retired Braintree solicitor Maurice Young won European gold in the over-80s category, while Sue Clarke, who is from Black Notley, marked her Great Britain team debut by taking silver in her age group.

The course in Alcobendas featured two five kilometre runs either side of a 20km bike ride and was very hilly, with poor weather conditions making things more difficult and several competitors crashed out on the highly-technical bike section.

However, Young, who is 81 and from Bocking, came first in the male 80 to 84 category, while Clarke, who is a maths teacher, was second in the women’s 60 to 64 age group.

Also competing was Sue’s husband John and he claimed 19th position in the male 55 to 59 age group.