LEGAL eagles proved they could fly high for a good cause when teams from York law firms took part in a gruelling test of their athletic prowess.

The Yorkshire Law Society Triathlon Challenge on Saturday at Castle Howard was declared a huge success and is expected to raise more than £1,000 for York Against Cancer.

Peter Kay, senior director of Ware & Kay and president of the Yorkshire Law Society, and six teams made up of society members took part in the ‘Super Sprint Triathlon’.

The challenge was for the participating relay teams to beat Peter’s champion, seasoned triathlete William Kaye, from Harrowells.

But if Mr Kaye was triumphant, then for every minute that he beat the relay team Mr Kay pledged to pay £1 to his chosen charity - York Against Cancer.

Teams from Andrew Jackson Solicitors, Quality Solicitors Burn & Co, Harrowells Solicitors, Ware & Kay Solicitors, and two from Dere Street Chambers, competed against Mr Kaye.

He and the teams pushed themselves to the limit while taking part in all three of the continuous stages, starting with a 400m open water swim through Castle Howard’s Great Lake before switching into the technical 23km bike route through the surrounding rural idyll and the Howardian Hills.

The spectacular 4km run passed through the estate before a sprint finish topped everything off in style right in front of the main doors of the house.

Mr Kaye’s overall position was third out of a total of 312. He completed the event in an impressive 1:08:45, beating all the law society relay teams.

Mr Kay said: “Congratulations to all our competitors who took part in this challenge for York Against Cancer. I am delighted that the Yorkshire Law Society backed this.

“William was up against six fantastic teams, but his quality was such that he beat them all and dented my pocket for York against Cancer. We are delighted with the amount of money we have raised and many thanks to everyone who trained so hard and supported this fantastic event.”

Julie Russell, general manager of York Against Cancer, said: “What a brilliant effort by the legal eagles of York. We’d like to thank Peter for his kindness and generosity, and William and his challengers for making it all so exciting.

“The money they’ve raised will really help people living with cancer in York.”

The law society relay teams’ times were: Dere Street Chaps 1:25:03; Harrowells Solicitors 1:26:08; Dere Street Chicks 1:34:45; Andrew Jackson Solicitors 1:39:57; Quality Solicitors Burn & Co 1:42:46 and Ware & Kay Solicitors 1:45:35