Matt Rees put in a sterling performance in Sunday's Sainsbury's Braintree District Triathlon.

Essex policeman and Braintree resident Rees came in just behind Karl Webster from Derbyshire Police.

More than 100 men and women from all over the area assembled for the triathlon on a rainy morning.

Endurance: that was the name of the game at the Braintree District Triathlon

But the dampness of the day was a sharp contrast with the colour and spectacle of the competitors, as they readied their cycles and equipment for the race.

Each competitor was to swim 400m, immediately cycle the 13 miles to Witham and back, before completing a final three-mile run on tracks surrounding the Riverside Centre in Braintree.

The event was also part of a Police Triathlon Championship and it was police officers who would fill the top three places.

The weather slowly dried and the race started in perfect racing conditions.

In a close-fought battle, Webster completed the course in a spectacular 57 minutes, closely followed by Rees.

Six of the high quality athletes managed to complete this gruelling event in under one hour. The first woman competitor, Helen Eggar from Cambridge, finished her race in one hour and eight minutes.

All the racers, many completing their first-ever triathlon, completed the course tired, but very happy.

The hugely successful event was supported by two major Braintree retailers, Sainsburys and Cycles Uk.

The event will return for its third running next year, when even more local people are expected to take the challenge of completing this gruelling trial of endurance against the more seasoned athletes.

Published Monday, June 9, 2003

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