MALVERN club aces enjoyed success as almost 500 competitors tackled the 13th annual Upton Triathlon.

Three teams took part in the standard distance triathlon relay over a 1,500-metre swim in the river, a 40km bike section and a 10km run.

The winning side was made up of Gulab Chauhan, Lucy Bennet-Pool and Simeon Foreman who finished in two hours 18 minutes 13 seconds.

Malvern's Tom Brazington, Rich Vale and Sarah Davies were also second in 2.27.39.

Taking fifth place were the third team of John Bryan, Heather Kirk and Colin Davies.

In the individual standard race Chris Grubb won the open category in 2.15.21.

Bill Adsett did 2.35.52 in the men's supervet and Susannah Kirk 2.48.16 in the women's veteran age group.

In the sprint distance of a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run, Malachi Cashmore took second place in the youth category in 1.07.21.

Tim Day-Thompson was third in the men's veteran category in 1.18.04 and Matthew Gillen clocked 1.28.04 in the supervet section.

In the duathlon of a 2.5km run, 21km bike and 5km run, Roy Hart finished in 1.27.31 in the men's supervets.

For two Cannock competitors it was an extra special day as Sally Nye and Andy Field got married in Malvern in the morning then raced down to Upton in time to compete alongside some of their wedding guests.

The groom said: “When we walked into transition in our wedding suit and dress to rack our bikes straight after the ceremony there were loads of other triathletes congratulating us.

"The whole tri was really well organised. Fabulous marshals, great facilities, superb food, a fantastic party and everyone was so very friendly.

"Sally said that lots of people out on the course shouted encouragement and support to her like 'nice outfit!'

“We enjoyed everything about the day but the fact that 17 of our 110 guests also took part in the triathlon, 12 of whom were total novices, was like an amazing gift to us.”

They are already planning to return in even greater numbers in 2020.

For the younger generations there was the annual kids’ fun run in the morning involving nearly 150 children.

This year’s event raised £2,600 for the Midlands Air Ambulance.

HONOURS

Standard distance, men: 1 Richard Shephard (Team Poolcare) 1.59.34, Nick Drabble (Worcester Triathlon Club) 2.00.39, 3 Dan Geisler 2.05.20; women: 1 Samantha Boswell 2.21.44, 2 Rebecca Perry (Janet Whiting Training & Coaching) 2.24.26, 3 Elizabeth Williams (Stroud Athletic & District Athletic Club Tri) 2.34.35.

Sprint distance, men: 1 Forbes Jackson 1.04.49, 2 Malachi Cashmore (Malvern Triathlon Club) 1.07.21, 3 Harrison Barber (Newcastle (Staffs) Tri Club) 1.08.18; women: 1 Katie Nimmo 1.14.34, 2 Lauren Evans (Black Country Triathletes) 1.17.10, 3 Nikki Hughes 1.17.25.

Meanwhile, Malvern's Abi Senior competed in the Woodhorn Standard Triathlon with a 1,600m open-water swim, a 46km bike section and a 9.6km run.

She finished in 2.55.19, taking the win in the women's under 20s category.