HOWLING wind and rain gave way on Sunday morning to clearing skies and sunshine - perfect conditions for the 80 or so competitors taking part in Westmorland Triathletes' annual Kendal Duathlon.

The friendly event is ideal for first-timers and the field got off on time from Kentdale Landrover on the first 2.5 mile run around winding country lanes that are a perfect warm-up for the testing bike ride to come.

Once the competitors have completed the first run, they have the daunting task of cycling the six miles climb up Shap Fell to the turn-around point, where the exhilaration is to be had, depending on your bravery, of freewheeling back down to transition point.

Jon Fletcher had led in the runners on the first leg, but second-placed Richard Hunt overtook him on the bike ride to take a three and a half minute lead into the final leg, another run.

Meanwhile, the same scenario occurred in the women's race as Donna Edmundson Booker (Cross Trax) passed last year's winner and course record-holder Sharon Taylor, who been first woman runner.

Hun (Army Tri) stayed ahead on the run, not only winning the race but also breaking the course record by a massive 37 seconds with a time of 59 minutes 24 seconds.

Edmundson-Booker also kept Taylor at bay to be first woman in 1hr 11min 2secs.

The well-organised event went off without any hitches thanks to competitors and marshals.