A PAIR of athletes from Fladbury Paddle Club were crowned European Middle Distance Quadrathlon champions in their respective categories.
Fladbury duo Helen Russell and Tarmac McAdam took top spot in their respective races at the European Middle Distance Quadrathlon Championships.
The action took place in Brigg in Lincolnshire and attracted athletes from Hungary, France, Ireland and the UK.
The race format comprised of a 1,500m river swim, 7.8km kayak leg, 30km bike ride and 10km run.
Russell, supported by Rivers Evesham Gifted and Talented Scheme, exited the swim leg in first place and continued to build her lead throughout the race.
She also posted the fastest swim, bike and kayak legs but lost time on the run.
However, Russell crossed the line in a time of 3 hours, 3 minutes and 33 seconds to finish as the first overall woman.
Nearly five minutes further back, the UK’s Rose Durrant finished second with Ireland’s Orna O’Toole in third.
Russell claimed her second European Middle Distance Quadrathlon title. She also won the event in 2023.
She also won her age group in the World Middle Distance Championships in 2019 and the World Sprint Championships in 2018.
Russell said: “I am delighted to take this win and still be so competitive after many years of racing.
“I am so grateful for all the support I continue to receive to help me train, prepare and achieve this result.”
Fellow Fladbury member McAdam took gold in the over-70s category to claim his first international race win.
McAdam said: “I’m really pleased to get my first age group win.
“Quadrathlon racing is taken seriously and competing for over three hours is gruelling but it’s a very friendly sport, which keeps me racing.”
Both athletes will now turn their attention to the British Series Race in Dearne Valley, South Yorkshire later this month.
