Bungay Black Dog Running Club members travelled to the picturesque shores of Rutland Water in Leicestershire at the weekend to take part in the 2014 Dambuster Triathlon and came home with a national champion.

As a qualification event for GB selection, Dambuster Triathlon attracts competitors from all over the country, with many of the 1,000 entrants hoping to gain a place to represent their country at the ETU European Championships in Geneva next year. With this in her sights, 18-year-old Sophie Bell was delighted to win her age group to become Triathlon England National Champion for Females under 20 in her very first standard distance triathlon.

A jubilant Sophie said, 'I loved every minute of it but those hills on the bike course were scary.'

Sophie's performance should secure her a place in Switzerland next year, where she will get the chance to compete with top triathletes from all over Europe.