VALE competitor Rachel Kirkwood won her cross triathlon race at the ITU Multisport World Championships in Spain.

The Evesham Vale Running Club ace from Bidford-on-Avon was the only Great Britain age group woman to secure gold in the event.

Kirkwood tackled a one-kilometre river swim in chilly water of 14.3 degrees, a 30km hilly mountain bike ride and a 7km trail run in Pontevedra.

There were just under 500 competitors with about 120 women and Kirkwood topped the 50 to 54 year category by two-and-a-half minutes.

The Evesham Vale Triathletes competitor said: "I admit I had really hoped to do well and make the top 10 but never did I think I could win.

"I’m the only British age group woman to get gold in this event and I’m still a bit stunned.

"I joined Evesham Vale Running Club just before Christmas last year and have been overwhelmed by by their support and encouragement."

Evesham Vale Triathletes' Melanie Clarke won an age group bronze medal in the aquabike event covering a 1.5km swim and 116km bike route.

Linzi Lewis-Painter took ninth position in the sprint duathlon and Tasha Redman was 14th in the aquabike on her GB debut but a technical issue meant Alex Doherty was left disappointed with 40th in the duathlon.

Doherty said he was determined to make amends at the European Championships later in the year.

New members are welcome to join the club with more details at eveshamvaletriathletes.co.uk.