MEMBERS of York Triathlon Club celebrated the club’s first birthday in style, writes Samuel Burton.

David Thomas and Sean McDermott demonstrated how their winter training paid off by booking their Great Britain team age group slot for the World Duathlon Championship event in France in September.

The challenging Rutland Water course in the Midlands was the setting for the National Duathlon Championship, which saw competitors completing a ten-kilometre run, 42km bike ride and a 5km run.

Out of more than 600 competitors Thomas posted a super quick time of one hour, 57 minutes and 26 seconds finishing eight overall and third in the 30 to 34 age category.

McDermott clocked 2:19-49 for third place in the 55 to 59 age category.

The club’s fortunes have been going swimmingly since its official launch in 2011.

A hugely successful debut year ended with the club boasting membership figures of more than 160.

The committee and members were joined at their 2012 ‘kick-off’ event by Phil Graves, York’s professional tri-athlete.

As one of the fastest developing sports in the UK continues on the up in York, chairman Terry Lightfoot is enthusiastic about 2012.

“It was great to get people out, the event was very successful and we are all looking forward to what promises to be a good season.”

On the club’s growing numbers, Lightfoot added: “I get people asking me all the time if it’s just old runners coming to keep fit but that’s not the case at all.

“The club offers up to three training sessions on a weekly basis in the separate events and members are encouraged to attend and also aim to practice in their own time.

The profile of the club has been raised by the achievements of members like Rachel Lightfoot, who last year won a gold medal in her age category in the World Duathlon Sprint Championships in Spain.

Graves, Richard Whitfield and Will Kay are also key members.

The committee welcome not only those familiar to the sport but newcomers.

Lightfoot said: “The training events are going well and we have been getting good numbers turning up at the swimming.

“We aim to carry on going from strength to strength this year.

“We also hope to have a few members in the World Championships in September.”