EVESHAM multi-sport athlete Helen Russell secured two podium places in races over consecutive weekends.
Russell’s first podium was at the Box End Quadrathlon in which she took top spot. The race, which was a cross-sprint format of 750m lake swim, 15km off-road bike, 4.8km kayak and 5km run, was the third in the British Quadrathlon Trophy Race Series and also a World Cup Race.
Russell, sponsored by the Rivers Evesham Gifted & Talented Scheme, finished first female overall after leading from start to finish.
With three wins out of three races, Russell is firmly in the lead for the overall series title, which rewards consistency over the season.
As there are six races in the series, Russell just needs to secure one more victory to guarantee she retains the title she won last year. The win also saw Russell move to the top of her age group in the World Cup Series rankings.
Russell then enjoyed more success in finishing third in the 40-44 age group at the National Aquathlon Championships at Nene Country Park, Peterborough.
The race attracted the country’s best aquathletes to battle over a 750m swim and 5km run for the coveted titles. Although Russell won age group gold in 2012 and 2010, she was satisfied with bronze.
“As I have been focusing on quadrathlons over the last two years, getting a national bronze in aquathlon was a nice bonus,” said Russell.
On her quadrathlon victory, she added: “The win at Box End means I am in prime position to retain the British Series title, which hopefully I can secure at the Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon in Bude in September.
“The race is also the British Championships, so it will be hotly-contested, but fingers crossed it will go my way!”
