OLD rivals Harwich swimmers and runners joined forces to lay down a biathlon challenge to East Essex triathletes.

The swimmers and runners, who traditionally take part in the battle of the fittest against each other, united to take on the challenge of the East Essex Triathlon Club.

More than 100 biathlon competitors took part, split into three age groups.

Harwich took a clean sweep in the under-11 boys' race which involved a 200 metre swim and a one kilometre run.

Harley Donaghy was home first in ten minutes eight seconds, followed by Callum Everitt in 10m 32s and Lewis Williams third in 10m 40s.

In the under-11 girls' race, triathlete Hannah Shean took the honours winning in 8m 25s ahead of team-mate Brogan Smith who finished in 8m 47s with Laura Stephens, of Harwich, third in 8m 52s.

In the under-15 races, the competitors had to swim 300m and run 2km.

In the boys' race, Harwich's Isaac Aldridge was victorious in 13m 51s, with Matthew Woodcock, of East Essex Triathlon Club, in second in 14m 18s and Harwich's Jack Howlett third in 14m 25s.

Mary Brading won the girls' title for Harwich completing the challenge in 13m 38s ahead of nearest rival Abbie Brown for the triathletes who finished in 14m 2s with team-mate Ellie Jade Smith third in 14m 52s.

East Essex triahtletes were dominant in the over-15 competition which involved a 400m swim and 3km run.

They took the top three places in both the men and women's events.

First home was Matthew Brown in 17m 4s ahead of William Muggleton, 17m 52s, and Richard Fuller in 18m 48s. In the women's competition, Jacalyn Eyres won with a time of 19m 57s, Chris Mowle was second in 20m 22s and Zena Shean was third in 20m 38s.

The top three placings for the lower ages and top five in the over 15 competition were added together for each team to give Harwich a total of 141 points and East Essex Triathlon Club 107, making the triathletes the overall winners.