EVESHAM’S Helen Russell returned to the top of the podium as she defended her British Quadrathlon Championship title for the third year running.

The national championship race took place in Box End, Bedford, and was a cross-sprint format of 750m lake swim, 4.8km kayak, 15km off-road bike and 5km cross country run.

Russell, sponsored by Rivers Fitness and Worcester-based sports clothing company Scimitar, was the first woman out of the swim leg and continued to build her lead throughout the race, crossing the finish line in 1.58.19.

Jacqueline Davies from Frome, Somerset, took second place in 2.05.37 and Rachel Temple-Fry from Banbury & District Canoe Club made up the podium, finishing in 2.09.52.

Russell said: “I’m over the moon to be crowned British Champion for the third year. There is a bit of a break until the final race of the season so I can take some time to recover from niggles and focus on specific training with a view to retaining my British Series title.”