HALSTEAD'S reigning World Duathlon champion Maurice Young competed in the European Qualifying Sprint Duathlon event at Bedford Autodrome.

Young's qualification is by no means guaranteed as he faced fresh competition in the over-80s age group along with difficult conditions with heavy rain and strong winds throughout the race, which featured a five kilometre run, a 20km bike ride and a 2.5km run.

Despite all of this, Young finished second in his age group with a time of one hour 46 minutes 58 seconds.

Meanwhile, Halstead Road Runners' Karl Hillman travelled to Exeter for the Great West Run.

The 13.1 mile undulating course included steep inclines at mile seven and the final two miles to the finish line were uphill.

Looking for a personal best (PB)after recent strong performances, Hillman was pleased to shave a few seconds from his best to finish in 1h 45m 24s.

Mike Grealy and Sara Hill both ran in the Great Cornard park run, with Grealy finishing in 21m 13s and Hill achieving a park run PB of 26m 17s.